Operational View
Projected Operational and Performance Capabilities
Operational and Technical Approach
Key Elements
Our Team
Applied Research Associates (ARA). Robert M. Serino*, rserino@ara.com,
(240)461-3954, and
Robotic Research (RR). James Frelk,
jfrelk@roboticresearch.com,
(703)822-3633.
Distribution Statement: A
Low-Cost COTS-Based VTOL-UAS
for Deep CBRN Sensing Missions
• Under A2/AD conditions, a group of VTOL-UAS drones are delivered OTH and
fly nap-of-the earth carrying ISR and CBRN sensors.
• They conduct ISR and on order, conduct entry into a sensitive site for CBRN
sensing in support of a forcible entry or humanitarian operation.
• These are relatively low-cost, adapted COTS-based VTOL-UAS that can image
an operating area and then precisely inject CBRN sensors into the space.
• This approach leverages and builds using adapted commercial parts to keep
pricing within an “expendable” range.
• Target sub-$20K price point per (naked) aircraft at the prototype stage.
• The UAS carries selectable CBRN sensors as part of removable landing legs.
• The approach uses GFE sensors with Dedicated Radios and SATCOM.
• Leverage AFRL/DTRA/SOCOM “Lethal Doormat” Lessons Learned.
• Low-cost COTS-based VTOL-UAS militarized by adapting and optimizing for
ISR and sensing capabilities, and then employed within an autonomous,
stealthy swarm construct could be comparable to nature by the effects of one
bee versus a bee swarm. Two examples:
• Drones flying nap-of-the earth and each carrying a suite of ISR and CBRN
sensors arrive upon a sensitive site undetected, conduct ISR and on order,
enter and conduct close-in CBRN sensing and detailed imaging of the site.
• Drones released from a Jet-powered UAS or submersible, and flying just over
wave-tops, arrive and conduct low-altitude/low-speed ISR of a beachhead
and on order, conduct CBRN sensing and detailed imaging of a sensitive site
in support of a forcible entry or humanitarian operation.
There is potential for an effective Sensing Circular Error Probable (S-CEP)
of perhaps 1 foot at 100+ miles range.
Small GFE CBRN Sensors
