Canadian-based Mist Mobility Integrated Systems Technology (MMIST) has revealed plans for scaleable-payload and self-launched variants of its CQ-10A Snow Goose powered-parasail unmanned logistics air vehicle.
Development of a scaleable lift capability is in response to international interest in higher-payload versions, says MMIST president Sean McCann. "We have done our own research and development on a new variant that is the starting point for a scaleable UAV."
The self-launching version is being designed for use either by a single operator or autonomously. "A production-representative air vehicle will be readied," McCann says. Existing systems are either ground launched from the back of a vehicle, which accelerates to inflate the parasail, after which the pusher propeller takes over to sustain flight, or air launched from a cargo aircraft.
US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has ordered 41 Snow Goose UAVs for psychological operations, with some being used operationally in remote and high-threat areas for leaflet delivery and carriage of public-address systems. SOCOM has also tested the UAV as a potential platform for high-power television and FM radio broadcast systems, with trials of the latter role carried out in Alaska last week.
MMIST has also had discussions with the US Army on potential use of the Snow Goose as a battlefield medical delivery system, says McCann. This has included work to examine the potential effects of high-altitude air temperatures on the quality of blood plasma. The technical ability to use Snow Goose in medical support roles exists "right now", he says.
Source: Flight International
