Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation at the Naval Research Laboratory

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.