• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2020

This purpose of this paper was to review the development trend of the VTOL MAVs with a ducted propellant that can fly like the VTOL at intermediate and high speeds, hovering, landing, and lifting off vertically over urban areas, warships, bridges, and mountainous terrains. The MAV differs in flight characteristics from helicopters and fixed wings in many respects. In addition to enhancing thrust, the duct protects personnel from accidental contact with the spinning rotor. The purpose of the U.S. Army FCS and DARPA's OAV program is spurring development of a the VTOL ducted MAV. Today's MAVs are equipped with video/infrared cameras to hover-and-stare at enemies hidden behind forests and hills for approximately one hour surveillance and reconnaissance. Class-I is a VTOL ducted MAV developed in size and weight that individual soldiers can store in their backpacks. Class-II is the development of an organic VTOL ducted fan MAV with twice the operating time and a wider range of flight than Class-I. MAVs will need to develop to perch-and-stare technology for lengthy operation on the current hover-and-stare. The near future OAV's concept is to expand its mission capability and efficiency with a joint operation that automatically lifts-off, lands, refuels, and recharges on the vehicle's landing pad while the manned-unmanned ground vehicle is in operation. A ducted MAV needs the development of highly accurate relative position technology using low cost and small GPS for automatic lift-off and landing on the landing pad. There is also a need to develop a common command and control architecture that enables the cooperative operation of organisms between a VTOL ducted MAV and a manned-unmanned ground vehicle.