G-III Precision Autopilot Development in Support of UAVSAR Program

Abstract

The primary objective of the UAVSAR Project is to develop a miniaturized polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for use on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or minimally piloted vehicle. Five Cycle 1 precision autopilot flights have been completed as of May 14, 2007. The first flight was open-loop controller, the second, third, fourth, and fifth flights were closed loop. The fifth flight demonstrated increasing duration within ten meter tube (approximately 90% of the time in the ten meter tube over a 200km course).