Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation at the Naval Research Laboratory (Library of Flight) - Hardcover

Jay Gundlach; Richard J. Foch

9781624102592: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation at the Naval Research Laboratory (Library of Flight)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 162410259X ISBN 13: 9781624102592

Publisher: Amer Inst of Aeronautics &, 2014

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation at the Naval Research Laboratory recounts the previously untold story of unmanned aircraft research and development at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Vehicle Research Section (VRS). It features vehicles that have charted the course of unmanned aircraft history in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. A comprehensive history of lessons-learned, the book features more than 100 unmanned aircraft covering various missions, levels of autonomy, configurations, propulsion systems, structural materials, and more. It includes vehicles designed for missions such as: chemical/biological/nuclear agent detection; reconnaissance; surveillance; antisubmarine warfare; ship electronic warfare protection; signals intelligence; scientific missions; sensor emplacement; systems integration support; payload testing; and, planetary exploration. Written from engineering and aircraft design perspectives familiar to industry professionals, this text is nonetheless accessible to the nontechnical aviation enthusiast. It honors the accomplishments of the tireless and gifted teams who made these innovative aircraft and their technologies possible. It is a unique and unparalleled contribution to the history of aircraft design and development.

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About the Author:

Jay Gundlach, president of Gundlach Aerospace LLC, is a leading UAS expert with two decades of experience in UAS product development. Previously, he was Director of Conceptual Design at Aurora Flight Sciences, where he developed advanced aircraft designs, supported environmental research, and served as the Orion ultra-long endurance UAS program manager. As Insitu's Vice President of Advanced Development he led the development of the runway independent RQ-21 Integrator small tactical UAS. He worked in NRL's Vehicle Research Section as a contractor where he helped develop 17 UASs and supported Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems in advanced transport research as a consultant. He is the author of Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. from Virginia Tech.

The late Richard Foch held a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. in aerospace engineering. In 1979, he joined NRL as an aerospace engineer for the Tactical Electronic Warfare Division s Offboard Countermeasures (OCM) Branch. From 1985-2005, Foch headed TEW s Vehicle Research Section. During this period, the section developed over 50 expendable unmanned aircraft for Navy applications. He was the principal investigator for the USMC Dragon Eye Small UAV Program and a key member of technology development teams for NASA Mars Airplane concepts. As the DoD Senior Scientist for Expendable Vehicles, he oversaw NRL research on autonomous unmanned air, land, space, and sea vehicles. He published extensively on small expendable air vehicles and their technologies. Foch received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, NRL Special Act Award, and the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award. He retired in 2013 after 33 years of service.

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