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ARCTURUS-UAV T-15e High Altitude Return Vehicle (HARV) demonstrates autonomous recovery from over 60,000 feet.
On 29 June, 07:09 AM, an ARCTURUS-UAV T-15e HARV was balloon launched from Wilde Benton air strip (4,068') on McGregor Range in southern New Mexico. The goal of the test was to demonstrate the capability to cost effectively deploy and autonomously recover a high altitude payload from over 60,000 feet.
The ARCTURUS-UAV T-15 airframe was equipped with an electric motor, a Cloud Cap Piccolo II autopilot, an SSR transponder and both UHF and Satellite communications. Demonstration payload weight was 10 pounds. Available payload capacity is 20 pounds.
Ascent time was 52 minutes, with balloon float occurring at 63,684 feet and approximately 13 miles downrange. Two minutes later the T-15 was released and began to fall back to earth. Autonomous pullout into glide was accomplished thirteen seconds later at 61,500 feet. During the pullout the T-15 HARV achieved a maximum velocity of 200 KTS (TAS) and pulled 2.75 g's. The T-15 then began tracking back to base, arriving nine minutes later at 49,344 feet where it began the long decent gliding down in a rectangular flight plan over the landing point. Fifty-six minutes later at 5,000 feet (932 feet AGL) the system initiated a landing flight plan at which point the electric motor was enabled and the T-15 began an autonomous approach and landing. The flight terminated with the T-15 landing less than 50 feet from the launch position. The descent was deliberately accelerated for range scheduling purposes. Subsequent tests will seek to determine maximum glide duration Total sortie time was just over two hours with about seventy minutes of autonomous flight time after the release.
This test was part of a phased effort co-sponsored by the Air Force Space Command (AFSC) and Air Force Research Labs (AFRL). The goal was to prove the operational feasibility of the T-15 UAV as a platform for launch and recovery of payloads at 65,000 feet and above.
Also present at the test were representatives from the Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Army Battle Lab, Colorado Springs, Navy Research Lab, and Arizona National Guard, Detachment 2.
Arcturus UAV designs and manufactures UAV airframes, launchers, and complete integated UAV systems.
For more information contact : Mark Allen, Arcturus UAV, 707-206-9372.