Honeywell has selected AAI to produce the airframe for the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's micro air vehicle (MAV) - the leading contender to meet the US Army Future Combat Systems programme's requirement for a Class I backpackable, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned air vehicle.
The company had previously worked with Allied Aerospace on the ducted-fan vehicle, but launched competitions for the airframe and engine after taking over the MAV programme four months ago, says Honeywell vice-president, surface systems, Ben Simmons. AAI, which produces the US Army's Shadow 200 tactical UAV, was selected over Allied to provide the airframe.
Honeywell now plans to select three companies from nine bidders to develop the vehicle's small heavy-fuel engine, and will fund a one-year demonstration effort before making its final selection, Simmons says.
Under the restructured MAV technology demonstration, Honeywell will deliver 10 gasoline-powered, 280mm (11in)-diameter systems to the US Army at the end of this year. It will then deliver a further 50 diesel-powered vehicles a year later to support extensive operator evaluation, says Simmons.
The operational 230mm-diameter MAV is intended to weigh 5.5kg (12lb) and fly for 1h at speeds of up to 35kt (65km/h) carrying visual and infrared sensors. The autonomous vehicle is required to be able to hover, or "perch and stare".
Source: Flight International
