Nighthawk Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)


The Nighthawk is a rugged, simple, and affordable UAV system that allows an operator with minimal training to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. 

Constructed of carbon fiber, a robust, yet flexible material, Nighthawk air vehicles are stored fully assembled and ready
to launch in 6” diameter tubes attached to an assault pack.  The outer pockets of the assault pack hold a rugged laptop computer, the ground control station, and antenna assembly, leaving the large inner compartment of the pack for other required gear. 

Waypoint navigation, touch screen controls, and automated
take off, flight, and landing modes make Nighthawk one of the simplest UAV systems to fly.  Automated modes include
waypoint navigation, rally, loiter, follow, home, and altitude
hold.  Use loiter mode to circle over a target under surveillance, follow mode to have Nighthawk provide reconnaissance at
a fixed distance ahead of a moving vehicle or convoy, and rally mode to collect the Nighthawk at an alternate location when home location is no longer accessible. 

Operator-definable failsafe modes provide the ability to land the Nighthawk in a pre-selected location in the event of loss of communications or GPS.  In addition to fully automated flight modes, the Nighthawk system offers semi-manual and manual flight modes via an industry standard game-pad as well.

> Nighthawk Video         > Download BrochurePDF format(PDF 1.5mb)

System Specifications

  • Very Robust Air Frame Construction
  • Rapidly Deployable
  • Total System Weight Less Than 35 Pounds
  • Day and Night Vision
  • Fully Assembled

       Typical System Configuration

  • 2 (or 3) Nighthawks with tubes and covers
  • 1 Ground Station
  • 1 Repair Kit
  • 1 Remote Video Terminal (RVT)

       Air Vehicle System

  • Carbon Fiber Composite Airframe provides great strength
  • Quiet Electric Propulsion
  • 4 - Channel Video
  • 8 - Channel Command and Control permits multiple UAVs to operate
    in the same area without interference

       Ground Station

  • Rugged Tablet PC
  • Antenna Package
  • Joystick

       Payload

  • Camera Pod (Forward and Side Looking)
  • On Board Video
  • Sensors

 

 

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Applied Research Associates, Inc. • 4300 San Mateo Blvd. NE • Suite A-220 • Albuquerque, NM 87110 • Ph. 505.881.8074 Fax 505.883.3673 • email info@ara.com

Note: Applied Research Associates, Inc. does not offer engineering services in the State of North Carolina. Please contact Applied Research Associates of North Carolina, P.C. to inquire about engineering services in this state. (919) 876-6018.