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The VULTURE System - Versatile Unmanned Lingering Terrain Utilization and REcon

Posted by Nicholas Winkel on April 10, 2011 at 10:30pm
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A semi-autonomous civilian UAV system designed for hunters and fisherman. The current
project is called The VULTURE System (Versatile Unmanned Lingering
Terrain Utilization and REcon ). It will be used to help hunters and fisherman find
game and schools of fish as well as to find the best areas to hunt in and paths to take.

The user will be able to unpack the system take off vertically and look at the view from the air and then circling areas of interest until the hunter, fisherman or team of eithar can reach the location. The system is not designed to be ultra portable from the ground, but more with someone dedicated to ground support at camp or on a boat to guide the team.

Key
Features:

VTOL Capabilities

Long range communications

Long flight duration (<30 minutes)

Autonomous loitering abilities

Waypoint navigation and return to user in the event of not receiving transmissions

Infrared camera for finding game, schools of fish and night time recon

Initial testing of certain functions will be done on a SkyHawk powered glider

Final testing and platform will be a modified Predator pictured above

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Comments

  • Anthony Bee April 12, 2011 at 7:38pm

    No guys, this could work, all you have to do, is attach a weather balloon at the  CG on the predetor for Vertical take off, and then have a parachute for vertical landing!

    I WIN!!!

     

  • Nicholas Winkel April 12, 2011 at 2:18pm
    Looks like they already sale some kits with carbon fiber overlay... I will probably have to spring for that, good job pointing that out. I'll probably start with the balsa as well as the other power glider to test out different systems and then in the final system use that
  • Roman Krashanitsa April 12, 2011 at 12:44pm
    Our team at the University of Arizona is using an in-house VTOL platform with the modified Paparazzi autopilot, but of course it does not look anything like a predator. A robust platform for camp sites should probably be more rigged than a balsa-and-epp predator. I picture some carbon-kevlar load-bearing skin.. just like here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iPJUaQA2OM
  • Nicholas Winkel April 12, 2011 at 12:29pm
    Thanks and no problem I will read through the rules...
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer April 12, 2011 at 12:26pm
    Ok cool, thanks for removing it and again good luck.
  • Nicholas Winkel April 12, 2011 at 12:21pm

    Sorry Gary, did not realize I was breaking the rules... the purpose of the picture was just that it was my last project, I was trying to show that I complete things as someone was trying to imply I couldn't follow through with what I say.

     

    Original Post (Edited)

     

    Lew Payne -> sure do that..... lol

     

    Sgt Ric ->vI achieve the un-achievable, I am 28, I own my own business and only work about 20 hours a week. Before I started my business I had a lot of nay sayers and know one took me seriously.  I am looking into selling my business in six months to receive a lump sum, into which I will inest my ideas into inventions and innovations as well as a new local business.  I have already spent a good chunk of change into the project, and anything I spend my money investing into I follow through with b/c I have worked so hard for it and to get where I am at in life right now. I have the time and capability to do this. I am waiting for a lot of parts ordered to be coming in the mail then you will see more progress reports in this blog. This weekend I went and met an old r/cer from craigslist and bought about 20 airframes, ducted jets, servos, 3 nitro motors, 3 Rx and 2 Tx, as well as a lot of other parts. I have a huge field behind my house and garage full of tools as well as great mechanical knowledge and some software and electronic knowledge. My point is, never underestimate someone when the name of the site is DIYDRONES.com, anything relevant goes.... I will keep everyone informed of progress, My last project, certainly not as complicated but finished and me my old lady and step son get alot of use out of it->and bGatti, thanks for the cheers!

  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer April 12, 2011 at 12:14pm

    Nicholas, good luck with your project its certainly ambitious.

     

    Without wishing to sound too much of a prude I would ask that you remove the image of the rifle. I'm not sure quite how it fits into the subject matter.

     

    There is a policy of not discussing military applications here, the odd thing gets through but we try and keep it that way.

     

    I refer you to this point in the site policies.

     

    6) No discussion of military applications of UAVs. This site is just about amateur and civilian use.

     

    I realise that rifle is not for you UAS.

     

    The rest of the rules are here

     

    http://diydrones.com/profiles/blog/show?id=705844:BlogPost:17789

  • Nicholas Winkel April 12, 2011 at 11:37am

    Thanks Gerry for your positive input!

     

    Yes you understood correctly and I was wondering the same thing about using the alternator as a starter, I believe it should be possible.

     

    I also plan on starting on the power plant, after I modify the airframe to fit. I also just received e-mails from the distributors saying that both my planes had shipped today! So I should be able to start work on the project within the next week or so.

     

    I may find out through development that there is a better airframe to suit my needs as you are saying. And regardless if I finish with the Predator successfully I do plan on incorparating the platform into different airframes such as hand launch and maybe quadcopter.

     

    Thanks for your input and best of luck on your projects as well!

     

     

  • Gerry Lichter April 12, 2011 at 12:38am
    Nicholas, it sounds like you see answers where other people see problems. It sounds like the project description as it stands is an end goal. The great thing about self-employment is there is nobody to object when you want to move the goalposts if you find a better approach.

    Everyone loves videos so I can't wait to see your progress come along. If I understood currectly it sounded like you are building a hybrid vehicle from a glow engine and (?brushless?) alternator? I just bought an AP Hornet .09 for the same goal. One of my priorities is to install an electric starter possibly using that same motor as the alternator.

    I normally like to design starting with the power plant/engine and build from there. But if you've got an airframe in mind you can start with that and work in the opposite direction as well. The platform looks flexible enough to accommodate without stifling your creativity.

    The military uses multiple UAS to fill different roles, just like there are different firearms for different applications.

    If you end up having to split some of your desired features off in to a seperate plane, complimentary systems can often do more than a single multi-purpose device.

    Man portable hand launch platform may remove the need for VTOL in primary vehicle. Etc.

    Best of luck and hope you upload videos of your subsystem tests as you work on them.

    Best Regards,
    Gerry
  • bGatti April 11, 2011 at 6:51pm
    3 Cheers for youth and enthusiasm. Go nuts!
This reply was deleted.