SQ-4 RECON - Micro Unmanned Aerial Systems
The SQ-4 Recon is believed to be the most advanced nano
VTOL UAV available today. It is packed with
excellent features
which make it ideal for both military and civilian use.
The SQ-4 RECON is a unique micro drone weighing in at around
200 grams (7oz).
Designed to "y into
very small spaces, penetrate heavy RF jamming, and be controlled or observed
from literally anywhere in the
world. The SQ-4 RECON o#ers the
modern war $ghter the ability to carry out reconnaissance tasks without
putting themselves in harm’s way.
The SQ-4 RECON communications uses
2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.4 standard transceiver.
The RF engine has a
high powered onboard processor which allows the creation of a peer to peer
network through automatic
packet switching and forwarding to modules outside of range. With a
maximum data rate of 1Mbps at 16,000ft
line of sight,
the system allows deployment of a number of drones interconnected, communicating
with each
other as well as with an FOB. All video/still image data is transmitted over the
same high powered secure
network.
The RF system is encrypted using AES128 bit. The system also
supports an internet bridge allowing
communications to the drones remotely over the internet with little e#ort. The
internet bridge supports
128 bit SSL communications as well as strong authentication and as such can plug
into any secure civilian
or military Ethernet network.
The purpose made batteries provide
up to 30 minutes of "ight.
In a perch and stare mode, the drone draws about 1.1 watts, the
power being supplied by a separate battery. The drone
currently
provides around 8 video/ image hours in perch and stare mode.
The Frame design has been kept simple and light-weight but extremely rugged;
there is a current thrust to
weight ratio (using 7.7 gram motors) to provide a wind tolerance of around 8-9
m/
sec. The SQ-4 RECON has
been deliberately designed to "y out
of operator sight and can cover a range of up to
2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) in
just a few minutes.
Specification Overview:
Weight:
Drone 210 grams (7 oz)
Drone + GCS in pack 968 grams (34 oz)
Approximate Size:
240 x 240 x 110 mm (9 x 9 x 4 inch)
Flight Duration:
30 minutes
Average Flight Speed:
6.5 meters per second (12.6 knots)
Max Legal Operating Height:
400 meters (437 yards)
Operational Range:
2.5 Kilometre (1.5 miles)
Data Link:
2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.4 - 128 Bit Encryption
Video / Still images:
Day / Night 5 megapixel camera / Thermal Camera
Noise Level:
Inaudible above 15 meters
Heat Signature:
Insigni$cant
GPS:
Anti-Jamming
Operating Temperature:
-10°C (14°F) to + 50°C (122°F) (low thermal signature)
Key Features:
VTOL
Perch & Stare
Penetrate & Search (day / Night) IR observation and night landing
Powerful Speaker and high gain Microphone
Secure VOIP communications between GCS and drone
Computerised Touch Button GCS Flight System
Day / Night Digital Camera On Screen Display (OSD) Emergency Position Hold
Emergency Recovery / Thermal Camera
Return To Operator
Future development: Programming and execution secure internet (worldwide
operational control)
The SQ-4 Recon Ground Control System (GCS)
The ground control unit is a new purpose made tablet allowing for the
customisation of all the features
needed to operate the SQ-4 RECON. The GCS provides direct connection to most
mesh networks.
It is mission autonomous but has two small joysticks for manual control when
required.
Features that enable the drone to "y by simply pressing a button have been
added, taking the human error
out of the equation. It has features such as ‘Safe Hover’ and ‘Auto Home’ which
allows the operator to simply
forget the drone if he or she comes under $re and has to move. A simple touch
screen for ‘location’, and ‘"y
to location’ is under development. The drone will automatically warn the
operator once over target so any $ne
adjustment can be made manually. The centre of the screen is taken up with the
downlink camera or mapping
view which is over layered with the "ight OSD.
For example: pressing the ‘SAFE HOVER’ button simply starts the motor and places
the drone at a pre-
determined height. This function can be used prior to "ight mission to place it
safely out of harm’s way, or during
a "ight mission when the operator comes under duress.
NANO UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
Durable Perch & Stare for observation
Thanks to its surround ultrasonic sensors, the SQ-4 RECON can land on a very
narrow perch position out of the
operator’s sight. Once landed, the motors can be stopped to allow the SQ-4 RECON
camera to be utilised for
up to 8 hours. Motor restart can be activated at any time. Automatic re-start
and return to operator will self-activate
when the battery is at 30%.
Day and Night use
The SQ-4 RECON is designed to operate both day and night. It is $tted with an
array of IR LED’s that permit stealth
landing at night, or for searching dark buildings and other spaces. The LED’s
$tted to each of the stabilisation legs
provide secure landing and allow the drone to land on an area less than 30 x
30cm (1 foot) accuracy.
Small Space and Building Penetration Search
The SQ-4 RECON has 6 highly tuned ultrasonic sonar modules to capture 3D
distance data on every axis of the drone.
These sensors can be used to "y inside a building and manoeuvre in tight spaces.
Using object detection and avoidance
it can be "own safely indoors. The drone is $tted with IR LED’s to illuminate
the forward observation camera allowing it to
search in the dark.
Acoustic Infiltrator & Voice-Messaging
The drone’s inbuilt technology means that it can be "own to a location and used
as an emergency voice communications
platform similar to VOIP operating worldwide. A high gain microphone allows the
operator to listen for noise or conversations
etc. The 0.5 watt speaker enables the operator to speak to people within a 5
meter range.
High Resistance to Weather Conditions
The SQ4-RECON has a wind tolerance of around 8-9 m/sec. It is self-stabilising;
it returns to level "ight instantly if "ipped or
knocked. The drone uses an active position hold function which recognises wind
speed and uses the GPS to compensate
Safe Hover and Return to Operator
Soldiers will $nd the SQ4-RECON’s safe hover and return to operator function
handy in a combat situation that requires
immediate attention. In such cases the drone can be immediately set to safe
hover at its present location or instructed to
return to the operator. When the latter function is activated, the drone will
return to the location of the Ground Control System
(GCS). If the battery safety feature is set, then
the drone will automatically return to the GCS when its power has reached 30%.
Swarming (Under development)
By using signal strength on the RF transceiver and knowing the position of
sister drones, we can further enhance Inertial
Navigational System (INS) using a local position triangulation. Swarming and
extended range can be achieved by using
the mesh network. It is estimated that a single user would be able to swarm up
to 50 drones from one GCS control station.
“The SQ-4 RECON presents a totally new concept of aerial observation
platform with unparalleled functionality and
ability. “