Arcturus T-20

Arcturus T-20

Arcturus T-20 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was initially developed as a private venture by the Arcturus-UAV LLC concern of California, USA and furthered by the US Air Force Research Laboratory. The Arcturus T-20 is classified as a medium-range, reusable reconnaissance UAV which dictates a payload of advanced sensors, cameras and other applicable surveillance, tracking and monitoring equipment. Arcturus-UAV LLC, as its name suggests, is a developer of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) featured in both commercial and military applications. Today, the firm markets three distinct models of UAVs made up of the "T-15", "T-16" and - its largest UAV design to date - the "T-20". First flight of the T-20 was recorded in 2008 while the United States military evaluated the system in early 2009. To date some 10 have been delivered while a full complement of 160 is ultimately expected.

Arcturus T-20

Arcturus T-20 carries a retractable gimbal-mounted, digitally-stabilized, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera that relays video in real time via a C-band LOS data link to the ground control station (GCS). Powered by a 4-stroke, fuel injected gasoline engine, the aircraft burns 2 lbs of fuel per hour at cruise. Arcturus T-20 does not require an airfield to operate and lands on dirt, grass, desert, or gravel roads. The internal payload bay (11"x11"x36") allows for sensor arrays to be pre-assembled on 'payload pallets' that attach from the bottom of the aircraft. Arcturus T-20 system includes three aircraft, ground control station, portable launcher, and support trailer for equipment and personnel. The airframe is entirely composite with complex wet wings tested to stresses of 10 G's.

Arcturus T-20

Arcturus T-20 is a high wing monoplane design made up of carbon fibre composite materials. It is a runway independent UAV designed to operate on dirt, desert, unprepared, grass and gravel roads. It can execute intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions even in hostile environments. The 2.8m long and 5.2m wide aerial vehicle was designed to launch from a runway or mobile platforms such as ships through a pneumatic catapult launcher system and can be recovered either by belly landing or by net capturing. In March 2012 the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) included the Arcturus T-20 UAV in a multi-award IDIQ contract N00019-12-D-0010 for ISR Services. Arcturus UAV, LLC is a sub contractor to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) under this contract.

Arcturus T-20

The Arcturus T-20 features a modular composite airframe, a large internal payload, a GPS bay, Iridium Satcom, target laser, 100L wing tank, 500W alternator, aluminium tail booms and two-bladed propeller at the nose section. The retractable electro-optic camera incorporated beneath the centreline fuselage section renders a full 3600 unimpeded field of view and captures the imagery of the field it surveys. The vehicle is equipped with advance avionics in the rear fuselage section. The avionics can be accessed from three different locations. The vehicle has four optional hardpoints for wing pods which incorporate WMD sensors, snowflake, ten pounds of laser guided missiles and drop munitions. California October 24, 2012 the Arcturus T-20 became part of aviation history as the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to see and avoid a general aviation manned aircraft using an ADS-B transponder. The event was sponsored by the Cascade Chapter of AUVSI.

Arcturus T-20

Arcturus T-20 can fly at a maximum speed of 167km/h. Its cruise speed is 102km/h. The range and service ceiling of the aircraft are 805km and 4,572m respectively. The aircraft can loiter in the air for a maximum of 16 hours.

Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Arcturus-UAV, LLC
• First flight: Jan 28th, 2009 Edwards Air Force Base
• Introduction: 2009
• Primary user: United States Navy
• Number built: 20 + Delivered/160 Planned
• Length: 9.4 ft in (2.8 m)
• Wingspan: 17.2 ft in (5.2 m)
• Height: 3.0 ft in (1 m)
• Empty weight: 110 lb (50 kg)
• Gross weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × 1 Aviation Gasoline Avgas 110 LL 4 stroke internal combustion, 10 hp (7.5 kW) each
• Maximum speed: 104 mph (167 km/h)
• Range: 55 LOS miles (89 km)
• Endurance: 16 hours
• Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (5,486 m)