Utility of a Sensor Platform Capable of Aerial and Terrestrial Locomotion

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Utility of a Sensor Platform Capable of Aerial and Terrestrial Locomotion

R. J. Bachmann / F. J. Boria / P. G. Ifju / R. D. Quinn / J. E. Kline

Homeland security and national defense include many missions that would be served by a multisensor platform capable of flying, landing, perching, and walking. Soldiers in an urban environment could obtain near- and medium- field intelligence by deploying the vehicle and landing it on the top of a building. Maritime domain protection would be significantly enhanced by a small aerial vehicle that could 'perch on' (hang from) the high point of a cargo ship during onboard inspection. The surveillance capability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are beginning to enjoy widespread use in military and reconnaissance situations, could be significantly enhanced by a vehicle with sufficient stealth to gain closer approach to the surveillance target without being detected. Finally, long term surveillance could be performed by a vehicle capable of flying, walking, and taking off from the ground. The Morphing Micro Air-Land Vehicle (MMALV) has been developed in response to these opportunities in surveillance and intelligence gathering. MMALV integrates the University of Florida's micro air vehicle (MAV) technology with the terrestrial mobility of Mini-Whegs(trademark). MMALV is capable of flying and walking, and successfully performs the transition from flight to walking. Furthermore, MMALV is currently able to transition from terrestrial to aerial locomotion by walking off the roof of a two story building. A wing retraction mechanism improves the portability of the vehicle, as well as its terrestrial stealth and ability to enter small openings. A tail hook is currently in the design process, to allow for the 'perching' behavior.