Various aspects of a remotely piloted mini-LTA vehicle for surveillance, monitoring and measurement for civilian and military applications are considered. Applications, operations and economics are discussed

Brown, G. J.

Harris, G. L.

Seemann, G. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

tl ' i J"
;NTB- 15072
REMOTELY PILOTED
LTA VEHICLE FOR
SURVEILLANCE
Gerald R. Seemmm* !
Gordon L. Harris** @
Glen J. Brown*** | "
t
ABSTRACT: This paper deals with the various aspects of a remotely pi-
loted mini-LTA vehicle for surveillance, monitoring and measurement for
civilian and military applications. Applications, operations and economics r
are discussed.
I/_.TRODUCTION
The remotely piloted minl-LTA vehicle offera a flexible, safe and economic airborne sur-
veillance, measurement, and monitor_,ng system. These systems have application in urban
and rural environments as well as at military installations, harbors, and other key instal-
la_iuus. Typical applications are cited below.
• TrAffic Monitoring (see Figure (1))
• Url_ Land Use Planning
• Law Enforcement Surveillance
• Search and Rescue
• Emergency and Disaster
• Harbor and Lake Monitoring
• Industrial Security
?
*President, Developmental Sciences, Inc., City of Industry, California. 1*Director of Research & Development, Developmental Sciences, Inc., City of Industry, Ca.
***Project Engineer, LTA Systems, Developmen_l Sciences, Inc., City of Industry, C_. i
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. Pollution Surveillance and Monitoring
• Ice Formation in Seaways
• Fish and Animal Migration Observation
• Perimeter Surveillance
• ASW
• Command Post Data Link - Forward Theater TV-IR
. ECM, Jammer
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION I.
Initial calculations and RPV experience have resulted in the selection of an RPLTA Vehicle
•i_" size of about 5,000 ft3 being 55 ft long and 13 ft in ctiameter (see Figure (2)).
A typical blimp shape with fineness ratio of 4. I has been selected. Conventional aero-
dynamic control systems are to be utilized. Internal and external catenary systems will be
used to attach the payload. Propulsion system and associated equipment to the blimp enve-
lope since this technique has been operaUonal for some time. Typical construction methods
of earlier Non-Rigid Airships will be utilized which have never had a failure in flight from
structural or materials causes.
The catenary curtain _stributes the leads in the suspension cables Into the envelope mate-
riai in a precise and uniform manner. The rudder/elevators are typical aircraft fabric
covered metal frames for low weight• The central bai|onet permits control of envelope
p_'essure during a_titude and temperature variations. A continuously running fan will pro-
vide ballonet air. Ballonet pressure will be cGntrolled by an automatic airship-type, low
pressure-high volume, relief valve.
A film/fabric laminate material will be used for envelope construction consisting of mylar
film and dacron cloth impregnated _vith an elastomer. A white hypaion surface coating will
b_ applied externally to provide scuff resistance and desirable thermal properties• Light-
weight stretched fabric will be used in the tall fin construction to conserve weight and en-
hance design simplicity.
The low internal helium pressure of about 2.5 inches of _ter and the rip-stop fabric make
minor punctures or holes of little liigntflcance. Many airships have i_ea operated for a
full week with l-inch holes in the _abric.
The RPV blimp inflated with helium is judged to give the proper Imoyance with the following
initial estimated weight distribution:
Weight. Lbs.
Envelope, empennage, controls, hallonet
pressure system, suspension system 148
Car, propulsion, payload, associnted equfpment 160
Fuel 32
340 lbe.
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1976007927-669
Using a lif_ factor of 0.063 lbs/ft 3, a buoyancy of 300 pounds can be realized. For el-
ficiont performance ',t is anticipated tLat olimp takeoff under the heavy condition is real-
Istic.
A nose down attitude Is Indicated during the landing condition to allow controlled landing
under near-buoyant conditions. Use of lsnding skids rather than wheels is representative
for RPV application. It is desirable for the airship to fly heavy even when the fuel load
is expen_led to facilitate ,re landing. Permitting the maximum heaviness to go to 40 potmds
allows th,._fuel-expended case to he _ pounds heavy, i_
The blimp provides a stable platfo_'m for the miniaturized DSI equipment presently avail- ,_
able. The disU_ct advantages of mo_r-hoverabllity and long endurance particularly ma_,e 1 '
the blimp attractive for survelllau,_e RPV applications. The blimp Is a rugged structure 1which can experience overload conditions due to winds and _usts and still retain structural
_g
integrity, This feature has been proven by Goodyear in operation and maintenance of the _ r
advert/slag blimps. RPV-Blimp size being smaller than these representative blimps will
simplify launch and recovery operations. Use of emal] engines to propell the buoyant RPV
will conserve energy and minimize pollution. Lower operator skill may be achieved for
the blimp RPV compared to heavier-than-air RPVs primarily due to the slower speed of
the blimp, buoyancy conditions and slower response time of the blimp controls.
Earlier airship envelopes were found to be radar transparent; therefore, it is expected
that the I;,PV Blimp will have a low radar cross section. A noise level in the r-age of less
than 85 d_ seems achievable. Flight endurances of up to 2.t hours appear reasonable.
System payloads will be modular depending on the application. Black and white or color "_
TV s_tem can be used. The B&W can be, fitted with l',ght enhancement for night time
operation and zoom lens (I0:I) can be fitted on both B&W and color TV systems. Photo-
graphic equipment, HI and other payloads could also be used as the RPLTAV system will
have a 400 watt alternator on board.
DSI in conjunction with Goodyear Corporation conducted some tests last spring - the L.A.
basin. DSI hitched a ride on the Columbia airship and stowed in the ear a colored TV
system with a 10:1 zoom lense as well as a super 8 camera. For this flight an on-boa:-d
video tape recorder was used to store the video output. The flight covered freeway,
industrial, and harbor surveillance at a function of altitude and zoom setting. DSI also i
staged in concert with the Aerospace Cot_oratlon and the Gardena Police Department
a mock robbery, chase, and apprehension of two suspects in their get-away ear. This !
colored video tape is available for viewing hy workshop participants and other interested
parties.
' A ducted fan propldsion system and associated fuel systez." is incorporated at the opposite
i end of the payload assembly. A 35 lip calcine and pusher-type ,_ropcller arrangement Is
proposed.
An autopllot system will permit P.YInV the LTA vehicle at a given altitude and also provide _ -'
maneuver capability*.
! *For other system details see Seemann, G.R. el al "A Technology Tool for Urban Ap- _:
plications the Remotely Piloted Blimp '°_ AIAA Papc_ _ 73-981, September 26. 1973.
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1976007927-671
The proposed RP,_I?AV will have a top speed of about 60 mph.
2
The advantages and features of the remotely piloted mini-LTA vehicle are cited below:
• Excellent Endurance
• Good Top Speed
• Low Pollution
• No Minimum Speed
• Low Vibration Levels
• Low Maintenance
• Stable Platform
• Safety to Ground Personnel and Property ¢
• Flexibility - Multi Use
• Economical - Capital and Operational
• Low Operator Skill Required
• Low Radar X-Section
• Ease of Launch and Recovery
_! Capital costs in producticn for a complete system will be considerably under $100,000.00
including ground station. Operation and maintenance costs will be only a few dollars per
hour•
FIGURE (2)
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1976007927-672


Remotely piloted LTA vehicle for surveillance

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