UASA
UAS Aviation Services Australia
Project Valkyrie
UASA's second project 'Valkyrie' seeks to develop an efficient, scale-able sub 25Kg VTOL UAV Fixed Wing Aircraft design that has long range, above average payload capability, stable and can keep flying to a safe landing in the event of main power failure. Designed for civilian and defense reconnaissance use especially in marine applications.
Valkyrie's principle purpose is long range persistent cruise for patrol surveillance with advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and communications protocols in a convenient VTOL platform.
Specifications call for a launch capability from a small terrestrial footprint or confined landing deck on a moving vessel platform without additional hardware such as a catapult and at a price point substantially less than existing UAV platforms from foreign prime vendors. The Valkyrie project aims to deliver capable platforms at a "swarm" or otherwise "disposable" price point such that multiple platforms could be purchased for the same price as just one from a "traditional prime" in much the same way as SpaceX has dramatically reduced the cost of rocket launches in the satellite and now human spaceflight market.
Conceptual VTOL Fixed Wing Aircraft
Valkyrie, is powered by a four stroke gas (ICE) engine for the main propulsion, electric power generation for onboard rechargeable batteries and VTOL system with supplemental electric pusher propeller motors. Having electric motor forward thrust, allows for both redundancy should one or more engines fail and economical cruise especially with solar cells on the wings for augmented battery charge in flight . Forward flight on electric motors can be maintained for more than 60 minutes utilising the on-board rechargeable batteries. Landing is accomplished using an auto pilot controlled VTOL sequence. Note landing systems include and emergency deployable airbag/flotation device in the event of predefined emergency situations including water landing.
Included in the advanced autopilot and avionics system is accurate RTK GPS navigation, advance position hold/navigation (IMU) capability for GPS denied environments and precision landing location sensors capable of landing on a moving platform on a ship. Utilising advanced composite materials, the avionics are also protected from outside sources of electromagnetic radiation making the aircraft highly resistant to external jamming (CUAV) measures. A choice of avionics are available for military or civilian applications.