RECON2 Part 1

To the FliteTest Community,

The ELITE program is very excited to introduce our lone senior Engineer and Design project, not a for sure name yet, maybe RECON2 (FPV AIR AND GROUND umanned vehicle).  Below is the problem identified for finding possible solutions;

Problem: Northern Colorado bomb squad needs eyes on the ground in a remote area for recon.  

Solution: Creating a robust RC quad (equipped with FPV gear) that can carry the weight of an RC vehicle (with FPV gear) behind the danger line of the unknown, drop off the vehicle, vehicle performs recon, hooking back up to quad, and flying safely back to its destination for reviewing.

Danny spent the first couple of months creating a few design concepts, this one below presented as the solution, however, still available for changes.

The frame materials was then purchased and is currently being assembled, part 2 will show the build and testing of the quad.  Tiger motors were purchased as the propulsion system, soon to follow is the ESCs. Not sure on the control board, looking at some more funds for a DJI system, too much at stake to run KK2 boards.  If you know of someone who has one that would be willing to donate to the project and program, please contact mesarcfoamfighters@gmail.com

The quad frame has to be wide enough to accomodate the vehicle for drop off and pick up.  The mechanisms will be designed once we have the truck under the quad. Before actually building the quad Danny had to acquire a vehicle that was robust enough to handle a wide range of activities and be stripped light enough for a quad to carry. Once completing the vehicle, he can now move onto the finishing touches of the quad.

In the design cycle you have to create and conduct testing scenarios for your solution, today's episode had Danny creating a test for distance he can drive the vehicle with the current FPV gear navigating through brick walls. It seemed to perform well enough for the concept to be shown to the Northern Colorado Bomb Squad in May, we hope that it will actually perform better outside and in a non-brick constructed facility.

Stay tuned in for more of Danny adventure through this crazy project, if you have any ideas or leads please leave a comment below.  Danny will take all feedback into consideration when completing his final design.

For more information about the program: http://www.mesarcfoamfighters.com/ 

Thank you for all your support,

Ther MESArcFF Team