Unmanned Airborne Search/Rescue Platform (Civil Air Patrol)

As many of you know I recently joined the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian-manned auxillary of the United States Air Force.

CAP performs three congressionally assigned missions:
-Emergency services, which includes search and rescue (by air and ground)
-Disaster relief operations
-Aerospace education for youth and the general public

A few months ago I ceased production on my most technical project due to time/money restraints.
That project was an unmanned aerial vehicle used for reconnaissance on the airsoft field.

Heres the situation.

Since learning about search techniques used by CAP in field-rescue, I have gotten inspiration to continue the project...but with enhanced emphasis on search/rescue capabilities. The CAP rescue/search system utilized NO UAVs...costing hundreds of dollars per-sortie to have search aircraft in the air. Im looking to help develop a low-cost alternative.

I have an idea of which production RC airframe to start with, but maybe someone can help me.

So far my basic needs are:
-Foam body
-Must be slow-fly capable
-Must be able to carry a 1/2 lbs payload with stock motor (camera, radio equip, etc)
-Less than $200
-Must have optional additional channel (to equip/fire smoke-markers)

This project will be funded by the US Air Force.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I will be starting on the 1st of January, 2010.

Hey man thats amazing stuff hope to hear more.

I think I've seen a remote control plane modeled after a B52 that could work. Just suggesting it.

Thank you very much.

It's my way of giving back to those who protect us on a daily basis.

Many people don't know but during WWII German U-boats were as close as 50 miles off our coast. The Civil Air Patrol was forned and tasked with locating and destroying these subs. Since then, CAP has grown to become a task force utilized by law enforcement, border patrol, and military... and are known for our search and rescue capabilities worldwide.

On August 20th, 2007 a CAP aircraft went down while searching for a missing child. All three crew members were killed. Those kinds of deaths should never happen. Unmanned systems could be implemented in high-risk sorties instead of putting live pilots into the air.

Jarhead999 76 65 wrote:

I think I've seen a remote control plane modeled after a B52 that could work. Just suggesting it.

I'm hoping to not use a scale model. Rather, something that is purpose built. B-52 RC planes are naturally unstable and prone to difficulties because they have multiple props/engines.

Have you gone to your local RC shop to see what they have? Look for something that uses a ducted fan or duct fan or something that sounds similar.

Also, are you looking into the possibility of a rotary-wing RC aircraft?

do they take pilots with CODA(certificate of demenstrated ability?)

and whatever you do, the airframe for the firebird(look it up) is stable, but you would need to re work the servos

@Jarhead: Nope, rotary will not work due to instabilities and the need for overall simplicity, not to mention that the typical RC heli has low range and lift capability.

I looked at ducted fans for a while, but they provide way too much thrust for the type of work this craft will be performing. The UAERSV will be performing slow-flight crash surveying.

@White Wolf: Yes, the Civil Air Patrol is completely volunteer, and take everyone as long as you can prove physical wellness.

Ya the Firebird is what I was looking at. I'd have to rewire, put new servos, and probably enlargen the wings for added lift/payload. If I can't get any better options I may just do that.

and the problem comming from hawks experience is the dud motor where it just is to few RPMs to propell the craft

Well if your into using UAV's, certainly anything that can recognized heat patterns of 98.6 F on the ground. You may want to get into RC airplanes and helicopters. Of course with your added knowledge of flying you learned in CAP will help you in the basics, and like airsoft eventually build your own model plane that you can send up with a FLIR camera attached to the belly.

Now you said prop would be too unstable for your uses. However would a helicopter platform be stable enough. More complex but it would be a lot more like the ground unit UAV's we've seen in Ghost Recon or MW2.

Lone Wolf wrote:

However would a helicopter platform be stable enough.

That's what rotary wing is.

Sorry I thought you meant a simple prop airplane, not helicopter.

no worries, mistakes happen!

Ya I have 4 years experience in flying and building RC aircraft. Im just coming here with the question because Im trying to find a design to build off of. Ive seen some recent stuff on law enforcement light UAVs and I'll likely be building off a similar design. As I said, I'll probably go pick up a Firescout Commander XL and boost the power on the engine and increase the wing area (flaps). Theoretically, a stock model has the lift capability I need...but I don't want to go stock

and with the stick going to the tail, might you reinforce that as a mus.... and flaps, are they going to be adjustable or based on the air tractors?

No the flaps will be fixed. It takes too much weight to include servos for dynamics.

I wil probably leave the tail boom as is, considering it is extremely durable.

yeah, so what about the extra equipment, where's that all?

hey wolf

elite, just an FYI, on the posts here we don't say hey to someone, you make a post that adds input to the topic, there is private messaging for the private convos. but anyway Durkee this sounds awesom. if your interested i have a VERY small camera, it isn't bigger than 2 suggar cubes combined into a square and the actual lense it about the size of a pen tip. it may b useful. a hefty $100 but well worth it. you may need to add extra radios/ you WILL/ to make sure it feeds back to you but if youd like i can find the info for it, name and company.

somewhat similiar to the size of the one on this HO scale model train, that entire car is about 4-6 inches long. http://www.coffeetabletrains.com/TrainCam6.jpg

Wowowow this sounds amazing. I can't really contribute though, I know nothing about this particular subject....All I can say is VIEL GLUCK! (good luck)

JARHEAD wrote:

elite, just an FYI, on the posts here we don't say hey to someone, you make a post that adds input to the topic, there is private messaging for the private convos.

THERE'S A NEW POST NAZI! EVERYBODY RUN!!! (drops laptop, grabs Marine Colors, and runs)

sorry, had to say it. I'll be back on topic now.

Jarhead999 76 65 wrote:

JARHEAD wrote:

elite, just an FYI, on the posts here we don't say hey to someone, you make a post that adds input to the topic, there is private messaging for the private convos.

THERE'S A NEW POST NAZI! EVERYBODY RUN!!! (drops laptop, grabs Marine Colors, and runs)

sorry, had to say it. I'll be back on topic now.

lol, but i mean, hey wolf? i have the right!!! lol

yeah you do, I also meantioned it to em from a PM i sent

So I found a system I may want to start with... http://www.raidentech.com/24ghzmiwicoc.html

I know its not one of the more "high end" HPV systems out there, but I just need something simple just as a "proof of concept"...and I hear this is one of the best out there for under $200. The only thing I'm really worried about is the fact that I would have to use an on-board 12v battery to power the camera...and I don't know how much weight that would be and how much that would effect flight characteristics. But hey, if it weighs to much I'll just throw it on a land system.

and keeping the CG center too