Conception and Manufacturing of a Projectile-Drone Hybrid System

The French-German Research Institute of Saint Louis proposed an innovative concept of a microair vehicle (MAV). The gun-launched MAV (GLMAV) is a new and original type of discreet and robust miniature hybrid system of about 1 kg for a very quick observation mission by air. The GLMAV in a projectile configuration is launched by a portable dedicated tube weighing less than 10 kg. After a ballistic flight, the GLMAV is transformed into a miniature drone with automatic deployment of coaxial counter-rotating rotors. The GLMAV in drone configuration is slowed down to be able to execute hovering or/and maneuvering flights. In few seconds, aerial observation down and forward can begin in order to capture information, because it is equipped with an embarked vision system with real-time image transmission. This paper is first focused on the conception of the launcher and of the platform in order to incorporate all the features coming from multiple disciplines. This hybrid system conception is linked to an iterative process between all fields of research such as aerodynamics, interior and exterior ballistics, mechanics, electronics, optronics and signal transmission, guidance, navigation, and control. All theoretical studies presented in this paper have then converged toward the manufacturing of the dedicated ballistic launcher and of the GLMAV platform. The latter is now ready for the autopilot implementation in the near future.