Code named Dragon Eye, the system was developed jointly by the Naval Research Laboratory and the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. Begun in March 2000, Dragon Eye is officially described as a system offering small units reconnaissance and threat detection capabilities. Major features are a small battery-powered drone airplane operated by a single person equipped with a wearable ground control station (GCS).

The airplane (see figure) is a 2 kg hand launched small drone capable of flying for 60 minutes at speeds up to 65 km/hr. It is powered by a pair of wing-mounted 24-watt electric motors. Operating radius is 10 km using a very robust communication link. At present, there are three interchangeable camera payloads--for daylight, low light and infrared. The drone itself fits into a 38 cm x 38 cm x 18 cm backpack. The computer, telemetry and GCS power supply are configured into a vest.

The operator sees the telemetered images as well as a flight path diagram in his virtual reality goggles. A preset flight plan stored onboard guides the plane to a return location should the communication link fail. The operator also has a "significant frames" button for recording images for later viewing.

It is expected that the Dragon Eye's low altitude overviews of surrounding terrain will provide small unit commanders with unprecedented, direct situation awareness; essentially in real time. Such a system could provide some very useful information gathering services for utilities or industry as well.

Key to the rapid development was a decree that the system was to be fabricated from off-the-shelf hardware and established devices. Units have already been tested in simulated combat conditions and have been publicly demonstrated. Several possible camera up-grades via recent developments are being considered. Two contractors provided engineering support; AeroVironment out of Monrovia, CA, and BAI located in Easton, MD. At present, these contractors are assembling 40 Dragon Eye systems for further military evaluations.

Major John Cane is the Project Officer at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab at Quantico. Project cost goals--with increased quantities--are to get drone unit costs down to the $20,000 range, and the GCS package down to the $30,000 ballpark. Major Cane can be contacted at 703-784-6413; or by e-mail: cane@mcwl.quantico.usmc.mil.