WIDE AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECTILE
- DESCRIPTION
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A team consisting of students and faculty from MIT and engineers from Draper Laboratories has been working since July 1996 on the design of a gun-launched reconnaissance aircraft. The main goals of the project are:
- to develop entrepreneurship among engineering students
- to demonstrate brand-new technology that meets US military and civilian needs.
This project is supported by Draper Laboratories.Mission and Operational Scenario
The mission of the WASP is to provide quick response surveillence and/or reconnaissance data at minimal cost.
The WASP flyer is contained inside a shell which is launched from a 5" gun. It has a unique folding-wing design which allows its wing, tail and propellor surfaces to fold into the fuselage. Upon reaching the area of interest, the flyer is released and its wings, control surfaces and propeller are deployed.
The flyer's resources include a GPS/INS navigation system, a CCD camera and transmitter, and a two-way datalink. The flyer follows a pre-programmed pattern, which can be changed by a command from the ground station.
WASP occupies a unique region of the operational envelope of autonomous aircraft. It is small and easily handled by one person. It can be on station, 20 km from the launch point, within five minutes of the time that a surveillence request is made. It can remain on station up to 30 minutes, with the ability to maneuver near points of interest and send back images. Working with an operator, in semi-autonomous fashion it can readily adapt to changing situations or needs. - PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
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Deyst, J.
Boppe, C. (boppe@MIT.EDU)
- RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
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Vladislav Gavrilets (gavrick@MIT.EDU)
V. Gavrilets' Personal WASP Page
- LINKS
