Engineering:On-Demand Small Unmanned Aircraft System
The On-Demand Small Unmanned Aircraft System (ODSUAS) is a custom-tailored, miniature 3D printed drone created by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and Georgia Technical Institute’s Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory.[1] It was designed to provide flexible unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) support, where soldiers can input the specific requirements they need, such as size, weight, and endurance, into the mission-planning software before the drone is configured and 3D printed within 24 hours.[2][3] The process allows the manufacturing of additional drone parts as needed, eliminating the need to carry spare parts for different configurations. While a 3D printer constructs the body of the UAV, the motors, sensors, cameras, propellers, and other apparatus would have to be obtained from a standing inventory. [3][4]
The device can be tasked for missions involving perimeter surveillance, aerial defense, and reconnaissance.[5] On December 2016, ARL researchers first tested it at Fort Benning, Georgia as part of the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments (AEWE) program.[6] The researchers were given feedback s for possible improvements, such as improved agility, noise reduction, and heavier payload capacity.[7] The ODSUAS was shown to demonstrate flight speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.[5]
ARL researchers have stated that the manufacturing of 3D printed drones is only the first step of the project and that the overall goal is to leverage 3D printing as a way to produce mission-specific tools in a short amount of time.[3]
References
- ↑ Browne, Jack (February 6, 2017). "ARL’s 3D Printing Produces Custom Drones". Microwaves & RF. http://www.mwrf.com/components/arl-s-3d-printing-produces-custom-drones.
- ↑ O'Neal, Bridget (January 4, 2017). "ODSUAS: Army Researchers Create 3D Printed On-Demand Small Unmanned Aircraft System". 3DPrint.com. https://3dprint.com/160591/army-3d-printed-uav-on-demand/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Stone, Adam (February 23, 2018). "For the Army, a 3-D printed drone is nice. A customized, 3-D printed drone is better". Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/smr/unmanned-unleashed/2018/02/23/for-the-army-a-3d-printed-drone-is-nice-a-customized-3d-printed-drone-is-better/.
- ↑ Myers, Meghann (January 4, 2017). "Army testing 3-D printed drones for on-demand recon". Army Times. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/01/04/army-testing-3-d-printed-drones-for-on-demand-recon/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 West, Nicholas (January 11, 2017). "3D Printed Drone Swarms Could Give U.S. Army On-Demand Eyes In The Sky". Activist Post. https://www.activistpost.com/2017/01/3d-printed-drone-swarms-army-surveillance.html.
- ↑ Bhat, Aditya (January 7, 2017). "US Army flight tests 3D-printed drone to support soldiers on patrol". IBT Times. https://www.ibtimes.co.in/us-army-flight-tests-uav-created-3d-printing-711372.
- ↑ Watkin, Hanna (January 4, 2017). "Army Research Lab 3D Prints Mission-Specific Military Drones in 24 Hours". All3DP. https://all3dp.com/army-research-lab-3d-prints-and-assembles-mission-specific-uavs-in-24-hours/.
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