Two areas of need exist for a pilotless vehicle - those of the Research environment and those of the Military. While many commonalities exist between the two areas, the chief distinction is the hostile operating environment of the military.

The Hamilton AeroSpace LRRP-V was designed to suit the most demanding military requirements, with extrapolation for the research environment.

The Hamilton AeroSpace LRRP-V is a multi-mission, modular vehicle that is recoverable. The vehicle accepts a variety of powerplants, that will range from 1500 lbs. to 3000 lbs. of thrust. Its max payload is 2000 lbs. Its normal endurance ranges from 3 hours to 11 hours. Endurance, however, can be prolonged by adding additional fuel tanks. Normal recovery is executed by a ground based pilot.

The LRRP-V uses the latest aerodynamic and structural technology. This new technology gives the LRRP-V significant speed, range, and endurance advantages. The materials used for construction are a combination selected to ensure structural integrity and cost effectiveness.

The unique feature of the LRRP-V is the integration of the latest micro computers, coupled to the inertial navigation platform This vendor supplied system has been developed and is available as a custom integrated avionics command and control system.

A significant advantage of this system is the programmability of the micro computer. Three modes of operation are available. The first mode is uplink (control from a ground based facility) command and control. The control is used for launch, mission modification, and primary recovery. The uplink command communicates directly to the command computer.

The second mode of operation is pre-programmed in the command computer to provide mission-specific control inputs. With the LRRP-V capability, any conceivable mission or multiple missions could be pre-programmed into the computer.

The third mode is the emergency recovery mode. If uplink/downlink monitoring should be lost, the computer will fly a pre-programmed emergency recovery profile. The LRRP-V will, after loss of contact, fly a return route for uplink reacquisition or emergency recovery.

Military applications for the LRRP-V include, but are not limited to, electronic intelligence gathering, radar jamming, communication interdiction, FEBA, meteorological data, and radar relay. With its 900 pound mission payload capability, a variety of mission-specific hardware can be tailored as service needs dictate.

Hamilton AeroSpace LRRP-V production rate is targeted at fifteen (15) aircraft per month. Production will commence in 2004.

LRRP-V DESIGN PARAMETERS

                     Economical/Low Risk

                     Off-the-Shelf Technology

                      Low RCS

                     Transportable

                      Unmanned/Manned

                      Real Time Capability

CONSTRUCTION
The LRRP-V is a pusher configuration. The wing and horizontal tail are of conventional design, produced from composite materials that are bonded together with industrial quality adhesives. The fuselage frame shell is manufactured in two halves, and when bonded together, provide the aerodynamic shape. Because of the method of construction, the basic airframe can be assembled, the avionics and mission-specific hardware installed, and the shells bonded into position. This procedure greatly simplifies the installation of equipment. The airframe, however, has numerous access hatches to facilitate rapid change-out and repair of modular equipment.

The wing utilizes a new, proprietary, airfoil shape developed by Hamilton Aerospace. This wing produces more lift with less drag and has a much lower pitching moment. The lower pitching moment allows the canard to be smaller and located farther forward, thereby resulting in a lighter structure. The wing is a seven spar, two piece design.

The entire structure utilizes Graphite/Glass Epoxy Pre-Preg, where appropriate, to simplify assembly and to lower cost. Material thickness, ribs, spars and skins are tailored to accommodate the specific powerplant and loading configuration selected. The center bays double as fuel tanks.

The Horizontal Canard tail is also a one-piece structure that is mounted directly on the fuselage frame. Again material thickness is varied to accommodate specific structural loads.

BASIC LRRP-V SPECIFICATIONS

LRRP-V ADVANTAGES

LRRP-V ADAPTABILITY


                      Missionized Payloads

                      Replaceable equipment installed in fuselage racks

                      Replaceable wings for major antenna installations

                      Provisions for external pods for specialized installations

LRRP-V APPLICATIONS

                   ECM
                              Jamming
                              Deception
                              Flares and Chaff
                              Decoys
                   Surveillance
                              Sea
                              Ground
                              Mapping
                   Reconnaissance
                              Video & Visual
                              Meteorological
                              Photography
                              Elint
                              Comint
                   Test Bed
                              Communications Relay
                              Radio Relay
                              Systems Evaluations

The Hamilton AeroSpace LRRP-V represents a significant advancement in the low cost/long range UAV market. The LRRP-V provides high technology, mass deployability, high loiter time and cost efficiency to the battle field and research arena.

Hamilton AeroSpace has completed the research phase, design and tooling phase and is now entering production. High production rates will allow significant time and dollar savings to world wide markets.

Two types of UAV’s have been developed over past years. Those high in cost, such as the “Dark Star”, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, and those on the lower end of the scale. The lower end of the scale, provides light weight, limited range, limited speed,, limited payload and limited loiter capability UAV’s.

Hamilton AeroSpace provides a much needed alternative with it’s LRRP-V. This high performance, long range, high speed, high loiter time, increased payload capability is available at low costs due to the incorporated, proven technology that is available today.