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WHITE PAPERLIGHTWEIGHT AEROSTAT SYSTEM (LAS)

Model 35M3

Persistent Surveillance and Communications Capability ForMilitary And Homeland Security Operations

Low CostLong Mission Duration

Minimum Manpower

Contractor: Carolina Unmanned Vehicles, Inc.4105 Graham-Newton RoadRaleigh, NC 27606

Technical POC: Administrative POC:Michael E. Rogers Glenda L. RogersProject Manager President(919) 851 9898 (919) 851 [email protected] [email protected]: Small Woman Owned BusinessWhite Paper Prepared: 21 October 2010 Classification Unclassified

Lightweight Aerostat System (LAS) Model 35M3

Carolina Unmanned Vehicles 919 851 98984105 Graham-Newton Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606 [email protected]

Lightweight Aerostat System (LAS) Model 35M3The LAS Model 35M3 consists of a 35 cubic meter Helikite aerostat and an off road HMMWV trailerCarrier, and several types of payloads (Fig. 1). The Carrier contains all the equipment to deploy andoperate the system for up to a month. It is suitable for payloads up to 12 kilograms.

LAS Operational Benefits The patented Helikite combines helium and wind lift so even very small sizesoperate easily in high wind, allowing LAS to be a fraction of the cost and manpower of traditional lighter-than-air designs. The LAS blimp can be flown at several hundred to thousand feet altitude to providecoverage 24 hours a day for a week or more without maintenance or downtime. LAS is very mobile andcost-effective through use of unique designs to reduce the need for ground crews to handle the blimpduring launch and recovery. It is carried by a single HMMWV trailer and operated by a two person crew.

Compared to towers, UAS and aircraft LAS has significant operational advantages for mobilesurveillance and communications relay. It covers a far larger area than tower based cameras, and hasreduced blind spots due to obstacles in the field of view. Operating and maintenance cost is a fraction ofthe cost of using aircraft or UAS to lift surveillance or relay payloads. It does not require the complicatedflight clearances needed for UAS deconfliction with manned aircraft.

Coverage Surveillance versions at up to 1,000 feet can cover a 14 NM radius, depending upon terrain.LAS can elevate a communications relay payload up to 4000 feet, providing networked communicationcoverage to 50 NM or more from its location. Intelligence collection and other payloads can be carried.

Major Components

LAS consists of several unique components that, taken together, comprise a system far smaller and moreversatile than any comparable unit. Each components emphasizes the strengths of the others to produce asmall, highly mobile capability unequalled by other aerostat systems. LAS Model 35M3 consists of threemajor components or subsystems: Helikite / Helirest, Carrier, and Payloads

HELIKITE / HELIREST

Helikite Standard aerostats are driven into the ground by only moderate wind. To counteract wind dragtraditional blimp shaped aerostats typically have a minimum of 200 pounds buoyant lift just for windstability. This requires a large blimp, greater cost, difficulty in ground handling and additional personnel.

CUV Lightweight Aerostat SystemFig 1

HMMWV Compatible Carrier TrailerHelikite Lifting AerostatHelirest Protective Mount

Gyro –Stabilized Camera PayloadNetworked Communications PayloadAcoustic Gunfire Detectors / Other Payloads



The key to making a small, mobile and cost effective aerostat system is to use a Lifting Aerostat, which isan aerostat with aerodynamic lifting surfaces. LAS uses the most mature and efficient lifting aerostat onthe market, the Helikite developed and patented by Allsopp Helikites Ltd. of Great Britain. Helikitescombine helium and wind lift to operate easily in high wind speeds at a fraction of the cost and trouble oftraditional lighter-than-air designs. Helikites employ a horizontal carbon fiber spar that supports aflexible cloth kite to generate lift in wind.

Helikites are lighter-than-air like a blimp but are not knocked down by the wind. Wind forces on the kitewings generate lift to counteract the wind side force allowing LAS Helikites to fly in winds up to 70 mph.Other aerostats must be considerably larger to withstand wind forces, so they cannot be designed forsmall payloads and mobile ground equipment. Helikite performance is the key that allows LAS to bevery compact, use minimum helium and be operable by only two people.

The airborne equipment includes several safety items. The FAA requires tether banners, lights and asystem to automatically deflate the aerostat if the tether breaks. Although not required overseas, use of adeflation device to quickly deflate the aerostat is prudent, to avoid capture or loss of a valuable payload.

Our standard nonpower Spectra tether is very strong and lightweight, weighing between 0.5 and 1.0pounds per 100 feet, depending upon the aerostat size and therefore the tether wind loads. With anonpower tether the aerostat has to be brought down periodically for short intervals to change out payloadbatteries or refuel fuel cells. Tethers that transmit data and/or electrical power are available to providecontinuous 24/7 operation, but range from 2.5 lb to 3.9 lb per 100ft. depending upon aerostat size, ormore than four times as heavy as a standardSpectra tether. Obviously available aerostatlift is affected.

HelirestUnique to LAS is the Helirest (Fig. 2). Duringlaunch and recovery in wind, traditionalblimps require several people to avoid groundhandling problems, which can easily damagethe blimp, particularly when half-inflated. Apartially inflated aerostat can flail around inwind like a yacht sail, potentially damagingitself and even injuring crewmembers.

To overcome these control problems LASinflates the Helikite inside a U-shaped airinflated unit called a Helirest that protects andrestrains the Helikite, minimizing wind effectsand allowing two person operation. TheHelirest provides support, restraint andprotection to the Helikite during inflation /deflation and ground storage. It is a simple buteffective device that can be scaled to each sizeof Helikite to provide a “snug’ fit while theHelikite is stowed on the ground.

The Helikite and Helirest really function as asynergistic pair. As noted the Helirest protectsthe Helikite but unique features of the Helikitemake the Helirest effective. Because of thehorizontal keel that supports the fabric kite, the

1. Helikite Helium Fill Nozzle2. Guide Ropes3. Deflation Electronics4. Helirest

3

2

1

2

4

Fig. 2

Helikite With Helirest



Helikite uses a single short, self-adjusting tether attachment line close up to the belly of the aerostat. Thisallows the Helikite to be kept within five to eight feet of the ground and protected by the Helirest duringall operations.

CARRIER

The combination of the Helikite, which allows even a small aerostat to withstand real world windconditions, and the Helirest, which allows safe operation by a small crew, greatly enhances the LASground equipment. We do not require the large, clumsy pivoting mooring system used by most otherdesigns, and can package all the required equipment onto a single trailer.

Until launch the uninflated LAS Helikite is contained in a mobile Carrier with helium tanks, electricgenerator, and a winch (Fig. 3). The Carrier is a modified commercial utility truck body mounted on astandard HMMWV trailer chassis with good ground clearance and off road capability. The brakes, tires,etc. are in the military supply system, minimizing logistics issues. Carriers are off road capable, airtransportable and can respond to any location accessible by a HMMWV and trailer. The Carrier can beprepared for C-130 Roll-on / Roll-off air transport in 30 minutes by the two person crew using simplehand tools.

TheLAS in Figure 3 launched the Helikite from a Helirest placed on the ground behind the Carrier trailer.The current Carrier launches the aerostat directly from the trailer, reducing launch times and avoidingissues with muddy or flooded soil. In areas without overhead obstructions the inflated Helikite can bemoved on the Carrier and quickly elevated after stopping, for a “quick look” at an area of interest.

Equipment The Carrier with contains all equipment to launch, operate and retrieve the Helikite andpayloads. This includes helium tanks with a high pressure manifold and pressure reduction system toinflate the Helikite. The tanks are standard 216 cubic foot commercial and Defense Logistics AgencyNSN items, so no special tanks or helium trailer are required. It also includes a ruggedized electric dieselgenerator that can operate on both standard diesel and military JP-8 turbine fuel. Military customers canalternately specify a standard 3Kw Tactical Quiet Generator Design (MEP831A or MEP832A).

An electric winch with tether is carried to launch and retrieve the Helikite. The winch is a reversible,variable speed winch strong enough to reel / unreel several thousand feet of synthetic rope tether, workingagainst wind loads of up to 700 lb. The winch mechanism will withstand environments with 100%humidity, salt water and temperature extremes. The winch is rated for marine duty (100% severe duty), isrugged, reliable, controllable, and has multiple safety features.

LAS CARRIERrr All equipment carried in single HMMWV trailer

Components are military or industrial standard

Carries 7 Standard helium tanks for the 35 cubic meterHelikite, with a sea level, standard day lift of 28 lb.

Helium tanks connected to high pressure manifold,regulator and low pressure inflation line

Variable speed winch with backup manual brake, forsafe, controllable tether movement

Rugged JP-8 compatible diesel generator powers thewinch and other equipment

Roll-on / roll-off C-130 capable

Fig.3



PAYLOADSVarious payloads may be carried by the LAS 35M3. The system may be ordered with or withoutpayloads, with the customer providing their own payloads. In the latter case we can include developmentof the payload interface, and integration testing. As the LAS prime CUV has teamed with severaldifferent companies to develop and integrate various payloads into LAS. Specific new payloadsdeveloped from existing components can be developed in 4 to 6 months.

Persistent Surveillance Payloads A typical airborne surveillance payload is a gryo stabilized pan-tilt-zoom Electro-Optical (EO) and/or Infrared (IR) surveillance cameras with day / night capability, with anincluded portable Ground Control System.

Networked Communications Payloads LAS can act as a relay platform for voice communications, as anetwork bridge for interconnecting ground computers and networks, and as relay point for dissimilarcommunications systems. The Helikite at a few hundred feet altitude covers a circle many miles indiameter. CUV has delivered LAS communications relay versions to the Air Force, Sandia NationalLaboratory and Lockheed Martin Corporation. These systems operate up to 4000 feet altitude.

Other Payloads LAS is also an ideal tactical ELINT / COMINT / SIGINT platform, providing a stealthylong endurance intercept system that provide covert 24/7 coverage of large areas. Acoustic or IR gunfiredetectors on LAS can locate any snipers after the first shot.

These addition payloads can often be carried along with the primary surveillance cameras orcommunications payloads, provided there is sufficient payloads capacity. The acoustic gunfire detectorsand UGS relays are often a pound or less so they can be easily added to LAS.

Payload Interface / Mounting CUV has developed very simple payload mountings that makes it verystraightforward to mount new or alternate payloads. Surveillance payloads, which must be mountedbelow the lower keel cloth for unrestricted field of view, are amounted on a CUV designed carbon fiberframe embedded in the keel cloth. Communications and other electronic payloads are mounted directadjacent to the carbon fiber keel, the strongest and most stable are on the Helikite. Simple composite ormetal enclosures are mounted to straps along the Helikite keel. With this method it is easy tomount alternative payloads without extensive, and expensive, redesign of the platform.

For further information, or to discuss technical, cost or other issues, please contact Michael E. Rogers,LAS Project Manager, at 919-851-9898, [email protected]

Equipment List

Airborne Equipment Other Than Payload (Helikite and Related)35 cubic meters Helikite Aerostat (35M3) with a 14 kg maximum lift at sea level, standard day;

1000 feet of standard nonpower Spectra tether (Options to 4000 feet available)*;

CUV below the keel payload mount;**

Anti-collision light system; and

Automatic Deflation device.

* A power tether is available as an option. It reduces available payload lift due its greater weight per foot,and requires an optional winch with slip-rings to transmit power and data through the winch hub.

** Mounting the camera directly on the Helikite keel just below the balloon does not provide a clear viewof the ground due to interference by the lower keel cloth. CUV’s below keel mount provides a stablemounting for camera payloads without any obstruction by the vertical cloth keel.



LAS Turret Camera System Options

Fig. 4 LAS can use several camera systems. Above is a combinedEO and IR unit by Latitude Engineering. On the right is anAlticam turret as used on the Boeing ScanEagle UAS. EachGround Control Station is self-contained in a waterproof case andcan be set up in a few minutes.

The Latitude Parasight uses a CloudCap TASE Duo, an EO/IR inertiallystabilized gimbal ideally suited forairborne applications with anonboard GPS and IMU forstandalone operation.

AltiCam Mounted onHelikite

Ground Equipment (Carrier)Off-Road Trailer, HMMWV Compatible, built on Silver Eagle Light Tactical Trailer model CLTT-FE***

Industrial quality utility body with multiple lockable storage compartments

Helikite Launch box atop the trailer body, removable for air C-130 transport

Protective covers and supports, removable for C-130 transport

Electric winch with minimum 1000 feet tether capacity (Options to 4000 feet available)

Diesel generator to power winch and equipment, operable on military diesel or JP-8 turbine fuel****

Racks for 7 standard Helium tanks (One inflation for the 35m3 Helikite plus 4 weeks “top-off” helium)

Helium 3000 psi manifold for 7 tanks, pressure regulator, and 300 psi line for inflation

Loading ramps, handtruck, etc. for loading and unloading helium tanks

Tarps, grounding rod, tiedown stakes and related equipment;

Helirest inflatable unit to protect Helikite during inflation and storage

Carrying / storage bags for Helirest and Helikite

*** Alternate equipment of equal or better performance may be substituted

**** 3Kw Tactical Quiet Generator Design (MEP831A or MEP832A) option

Payloads

Varied by customer, up to 12 kilograms. Two example surveillance payloads are:

Parasight from Latitude Engineering is a completely self-contained video surveillance unit includingpower, data-link and a portable base station for video reception and camera control. The airborne unitincludes EO and/or IR cameras in various optional gimbal systems. Options include full digital datalinkor digital-analog for control and video. Parasight is network enabled for video and metadata viewing.

Alticam from Hood Technology is a stabilized turret system currently used on Boeing’s ScanEagle UASdeployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on naval vessels. LAS can carry interchangeable EO or IR Alticams,or carry both under one Helikite. Figure 4 shows Parasight and an Alticam camera system on LAS.

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