Smart Precise Rotorcraft InTerconnected Emergency Services (SPRITES)

Abstract

The greatest utility for small autonomous vertical lift aerial vehicles may be for public service missions, particularly those related to disaster relief and emergency response (DRER). The current work focuses on novel vertical lift aerial vehicle designs that might be well suited for search and rescue (SAR) and small package aid delivery missions. In particular, a vehicle exhibiting efficient cruise, in addition to hover and vertical takeoff and landing capability, is a key attribute for a DRER vehicle. But, correspondingly, cost, simplicity, and community acceptance are also important considerations for such vehicles in conducting their overall mission concept of operations (CONOPS).Further, it is recognized that such DRER missions will need to be supported not just by one vehicle but, instead, by an intelligent network of vehicles to fully realize their full potentiality. Finally, it should be acknowledged that advancements in efficient-cruise small autonomous vertical lift aerial vehicles, ostensibly for DRER missions, will also have a significant cross-cutting technology application to other UAV missions.