Lightweight, portable UAS, optimized for modularity, is demonstrated using multiple wing sizes.

Brock Technologies Inc. recently participated in a series of flight demonstrations with the SPEAR Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) during the months of January through March. The SPEAR UAS was designed and manufactured by Brock Technologies Inc. to provide users with a lightweight, robust and portable airframe with the capability of carrying payloads of up to 14 pounds.

The SPEAR UAS is the first of Brock Technologies’ products to possess an independently shifting wing and fuselage. The system was designed to support various payload locations and weights, thereby omitting the need for ballast. This feature was demonstrated on multiple occasions as the SPEAR UAS wing was shifted to support each flights’ varying payload weights. The standard SPEAR UAS weighs 8 lbs empty.  This empty weight includes the weight of the autopilot and a custom pan, tilt, zoom gimbaled camera.  In addition to this equipment, the SPEAR performed flight tests with payloads ranging from 5 to 13 pounds. Both the forward and aft payload bays were utilized during flight demonstrations. The SPEAR UAS places itself in an elite family of UAS capable of carrying a payload far greater than its own weight.  UAS of this size, weight and class generally are restricted to payloads much less then their empty weight.

Customization and modularity are valuable components of the SPEAR UAS. The SPEAR’s variety of wing sizes ranging from 10 to 14 feet in length are rapidly interchangeable in the tool-less SPEAR system, catering well to varying customer flight envelopes and payload requirements. The recent SPEAR UAS flight demonstrations were conducted with 10 and 12 foot wings. Customization and modularity is provided by the SPEAR’s composite, longitudinal shaft which the body, wing, and tail sections all separately mount to. This modularity can be transposed with affordability. The SPEAR design lowers operational costs by allowing aged parts to be replaced and allows for affordability in future growth. For example, an entire aircraft does not need to be purchased to replace or upgrade a particular portion of the airframe. Observers of the flight demonstration witnessed various launching methods. The standard SPEAR UAS is capable of hand, as well as vehicle launches and is recovered via belly skid landing. Powered by an electric motor, the SPEAR UAS demonstrated endurances in excess of one hour with the gimbaled camera and the payload greater then 12 lbs. With a MGTOW stall speed of 30 knots, and a max dash speed of 50 knots, the SPEAR UAS is an excellent platform for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) as well as research operations.

Onboard video from altitudes in excess of 500 feet above ground level was streamed from the Brock Technologies Inc. custom gimbal to a video display for observers. The UAS can be configured with a number of commercially available gimbals and autopilots in order to support various ISR missions. ISR and autopilot subsystems are integrated based upon the user’s mission requirements. COTS products produced by Cloud Cap Technology and Procerus Technologies are typically utilized.  Furthermore, the SPEAR UAS is transportable in a 56 x 16 x 11” shipping container. Assembly requires no tools and provides users with the capability to go from the box to the sky in as little as 5 minutes.

Contact
Keith M.  Brock
Vice President and Chief UAS Engineer
Brock Technologies
14097 E. Placita Rocosa
Vail, AZ 85641
P:  520.647.0329