CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE:
LMT) a $1.7-million, 10-month contract to design a revolutionary
remote-controlled nano air vehicle (NAV) that will collect military
intelligence indoors and outdoors on the urban battlefield.
Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) leads a team
that will design a remote-controlled NAV, similar in size and shape to a
maple tree seed. A chemical rocket enclosed in its one-bladed wing will
power a sensor payload module more than 1,100 yards. Delivered from a hover
and weighing up to 0.07 ounces, the module will be interchangeable based on
mission requirements. Besides controlling lift and pitch, the wing will
also house telemetry, communications, navigation, imaging sensors, and
battery power. The NAV will be about 1.5 inches long and have a maximum
takeoff weight of about 0.35 ounces.
In typical operation, a warfighter will launch the NAV and fly it
toward the target by viewing its flight path through a camera embedded in
the wing. Like a maple tree seed, the one-bladed device will rotate in
flight, but its camera will provide a stable forward view and transmit
images back to a small, hand-held display. As the system matures, a simple
autopilot aboard the NAV will provide limited autonomous operations. Once
the NAV delivers its payload, it will return to the warfighter for
collection and refurbishment.
According to James Marsh, ATL director, designing and building such a
small device will require revolutionary manufacturing technologies to
integrate near-microscopic components into the airframe. But even the
airframe will require a challenging combination of new and emerging
technologies.
"The challenges are both exciting and daunting, because some of the
technologies vital to our success have yet to be discovered," Marsh said.
"We know going in that we need some of the best minds in manufacturing
technology and in the development and integration of highly sophisticated,
software- driven control technologies and mission systems."
The contract will fund conceptual design and risk reduction using
prototypes of the engine, airframe, flight control system, and
communications system as well as computer models of the guidance system and
sensors. Following a successful preliminary design review planned for
summer 2007 and a sequence of go/no-go tests, DARPA may fund an additional
18-month period during which Lockheed Martin will design and test a flying
prototype.
Lockheed Martin ATL leads a team that includes Lockheed Martin Advanced
Development Programs (Skunk Works), Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology
Center, the Lockheed Martin-managed Sandia National Laboratories,
AeroCraft, ATK Thiokol and the University of Pennsylvania.
Lockheed Martin's NAV program is part of a DARPA effort from its
Defense Sciences Office to improve the quality, quantity, and reliability
of information gathered and transmitted by unattended ground sensors. The
effectiveness of these sensors may be dependent on their precise location.
Achieving optimal monitoring and communication often requires precise
deployment of sensors.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services.
For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
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Related links:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/534163.html /
CONTACT:
Stephen P. O'Neill, Lockheed Martin,
+1-856-792-9815, e-mail: soneill@atl.lmco.com
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