Nighthawk Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

Nighthawk is a hand-launched MAV that uses GPS and autopilot technologies to navigate into unfriendly territories. The vehicle, originally fielded by the USAF and US Army Rapid Equipping Force, carries forward and side looking Electron Optical cameras and a side looking thermal imager in a removable pod providing real-time situational awareness and targeting information to the operator. Nighthawk rolls and stores into a 6" tube with no assembly required prior to use. The ground station incorporates PC-based GUI technology to provide real-time visual feedback and mode control. Assisted flight control is accomplished with a small, single- hand joy stick. The Ground Control Station (GCS) allows the operator to switch between views during flight, or to “mark the spot,” which causes several frames to be saved along with GPS data. It also has operator-activated beacons to provide visibility during night landings or if the stealthy aircraft lands in a hard to find area. Operators can select from these options in the field and change configuration prior to launching. The GCS employs a Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer. Its GUI is completely touchscreen-operated with a stylus or fingertip. The GCS gives the operator control over autopilot mode, camera views, and data storage and retrieval. This includes altering the flight path or autopilot mode in flight to meet changing mission requirements. The display includes real-time streaming video, battery life indicators, GCS and aircraft position, altitude, airspeed, ground speed, heading, and aircraft orientation information. The GCS logs these data from takeoff to landing. The operator is aware at all times of the aircraft location using the FalconView Geographic Information System tool. Safeguards are imbedded into the system to prevent aircraft loss. If the command and control signal is broken, the aircraft will return to a pre-selected rally point for safe recovery.