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Autopilot Overview

Equipped with a sophisticated autopilot and video sensors, the R.A.P.T.R. is able to launch, execute a flight plan, and recover in fully autonomous mode. The pilot obtains situational awareness through terrain mapping features, GPS input to include location, altitude and speed, endurance information and aircraft attitude information. The aircraft utilizes redundant communication systems through Spread Spectrum serial radios 2.4 GHz (902-928 MHz) and a 900 MHz ground station radio. The aircraft has a standard endurance of 20-25 minutes.

The internal sensor suite consists of a GPS receiver and a 3-axis set of both rate sensors and accelerometers to produce a GPS-aided inertial navigation solution. Also available are a set of pressure transducers for determining altitude and airspeed. The rotorcraft solution requires an external 3-axis magnetometer to determine magnetic heading, and sensing of rotor or engine RPM. For automatic take-off and landing, the system also normally employs an external laser altimeter to measure height above ground. The flight system requires a GPS antenna, and a data link antenna.
 
 The aircraft may be operated in dual modes using:

  • A hand-held wireless LCD transmitter which allows the pilot to send flight direction information to the helicopter. The crew is able to pass control to and from the ground control station (GCS). The system utilizes a standard 2.4 GHz hand-held radio interface for remotely controlled piloting.

  • The integrated GCS operates with/without the hand-held transmitter with software on a laptop that provides GPS waypoint navigation, the ability to set min/max altitudes, and the ability to segregate no-fly zones. The GCS operator may also pass the helicopter control to and from the hand-held transmitter. GCS communication uses a standard 900 MHz spread spectrum interface.