CEi Air Force Sub Scale Target Drone
17 August 2006 15:32
Challenge
Composite Engineering Inc. (CEi) needed a miniaturized autopilot system for its BQM-167A high-performance, UAV/Target system. The aircraft was selected in 2002 by the US Air Force as the next-generation Air Force Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT). With an overall length of 20 ft. and a wingspan just short of 11 ft., BQM-167A is capable of speeds in excess of .91 mach, aggressive advanced maneuvers up to 9g's and performance in an altitude envelope from 20 ft. to 50k ft. CEi selected Athena to provide the GuideStar for the Air Force's Target UAV.
Solution
Athena provided CEi with a ruggedized version of the GuideStarTM 111 to be used as an integrated sensor suite for control and navigation. The GS-111 is a fully integrated, miniaturized, sensor suite with optional flight-control system. Combining integrated inertial/GPS navigation and a complete air data suite with robust, multi-variable control algorithms allows smaller UAVs and target drones, such as the BQM-167A Aerial Target System, to accommodate the GuideStar.
Results
Athena provided autopilot sensor solutions for the inaugural test flight of the CEi BQM-167A conducted at Tyndall U.S. Air Force Base near Panama City, FL, in December of 2004.
The first flight of the BQM-167A validated the performance of the aircraft and helped move the program to full rate production. Athena continues to provide the GS-111 sensor suite to autonomously pilot the drone, which is the primary aerial target for training USAF fighter pilots.
For more information on this company:
Athena - UAV Flight Control and Navigation Systems
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