Kickstarter:- Cargo/Utility Drone

We have successfully built a scaled down Proof of Concept (POC) Unmanned Air System (UAS) to prove stability and control, now we wish to build the full size, pre-production technical demonstrator, which can carry a 60kg payload, for static display and working demonstrations.

This new form of vertical take-off and landing platform is able to access areas where normal rotor-craft are unable to go and can do so whilst reducing operating costs.

Increasing congestion on the road network can be alleviated by the use of low cost aerial transport, getting high value and time critical goods to their destination directly

In emergency response situations such as floods where medical supplies can be delivered quickly and directly to critical areas where the existing road infrastructure is compromised

Natural disasters such as Japan, India and Haiti highlight the slow response emergency aid can be deployed by conventional helicopters. Not only is time wasted waiting for a suitable runway area to be established, but then conventional helicopters need to be reassembled on arrival before they can deploy to deliver aid. In certain cases, one transport plane can only carry one helicopter.

Other small multi-rotor helicopter platforms have been trialed by some commercial operators, but have limited cargo capacity and no “sense and avoid” capability and it is unlikely that these will be practical to land easily at a space constrained delivery destination. These existing platforms fly slowly and have a fixed payload box so any cargo has to be tilted to increase speed.

There is a huge range of applications for such platforms and many users may have multiple uses for a single unit so a system has been designed for rapid functionality change for example in a search and rescue situation with detection, situation assessment and medical/ survival aid deployment

A small footprint, unmanned platform that has multilayered redundancy in its propulsion, safe ground handling and rapid deployment that can be utilised by thousands of commercial & governmental agencies to deliver a 60kg cargo directly to the end user. The payload is kept horizontal which lowers the risk of damage. Post, Parcels, Food, Water, Medical supplies, Emergency Repair Equipment, Survival Aids…all can be delivered quickly and safely with secure data-links allowing operators to ensure system integrity at all times.

The capability to land and reconfigure the payload within minutes rather than hours, allows the platform to be truly multifunctional, one minute a cargo platform, the next a chemical sprayer, water bomber or search & rescue unit….

• Using a very open framed landing skid design, the platform allows greater safety for ground personnel to load and unload/reconfigure payloads from the rear.
• Built-in shock absorption between the two main structural frames and the skids allow flexing during heavy landings, without damage to the payload or main frame.
• Multi-rotor redundancy allows the platform to continue operating in the unlikely event of a motor failure.
• Combined “Series Hybrid” propulsion allows greater safety and levels of redundancy.
• Increased range, cruise and loiter capability via a simple wing configuration.
• A “Ballistic Recovery Chute” is fitted as standard to all the range.
• A dual layered flight controller and secure data links ensure system integrity, with optional satellite links and capacity to add additional specialist communications packages tailored for customer needs.

We have used personal, friends & family support until now and are too small, at this stage, to attract larger funding bodies. We do not want to turn to the “big boys” as they shelve or run off with concepts to keep them from being developed an infringing on their established income streams. Kick-starter backers give us the chance to bring this whole project to the real world and actually make a difference without the headaches of large commercial involvement or constraints.

If our goal of £35,000 is reached it will be used to build the 60kg payload version of the design. This will not be used for any expenditure unrelated to the build of the platform.

Due to our well established links with material suppliers, CNC cutting/routing and tube bending businesses (based within one hour of our location) we can deliver the platform on time and on budget with little risk.