 
HALO™ Micro Air Vehicle
Micro air vehicles (MAVs) have the potential
to revolutionize intelligence and information gathering
capabilities. CRG’s Hovering Autonomous Low-profile
Observer (HALO) MAV offers a capability to drastically
reshape the way operations are performed in many applications,
both commercial and military.
Whether a mission calls for hand launching
by a field operator or deployment from a larger unmanned
system, the HALO MAV provides access and reconnaissance
in areas too dangerous or too difficult for humans or
larger vehicles, such as tunnels, caves, buildings,
or cluttered urban environments. HALOs supply information
that can protect their operators in the field and help
them make strategic decisions in real time.
Integrated Design
CRG’s integrated design approach
to its HALO MAV has focused on optimizing the system
for minimal weight and maximum endurance. The HALO has
a unique ducted fan design which provides vertical takeoff
and landing (VTOL) and hovering capabilities crucial
for safe and agile maneuvering in confined spaces. The
miniature autopilot linked to a lightweight ground station
and graphical user interface gives novice operators
full control of the HALO at the touch of a finger.
With an integrated design approach focusing
on careful balance of aerodynamic performance, rotor
blade design, drive systems selections, battery selections,
and structural configuration, the HALO is optimized
for minimal weight and maximum endurance. CRG’s
ability to tailor the HALO platform gives customers
flexibility to customize vehicles for their specific
applications and payload requirements.
The HALO MAV is the first aeronautical
system to be sold commercially by CRG. Three of the
MAVs have been sold commercially in 2008.
Applications
• Intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance
• Environmental surveying
• Search and rescue
• Police and law enforcement
• Embedded sensing
• Homeland security
• Border Patrol
Benefits
• Optional radio-controlled
piloting
• Autonomous operation
• Real-time video surveillance
• Low acoustic signature
• Light weight
• Backpack portability
|
