Fixed-Wing Drones
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RapidFlight, an integrated designer and manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), has released its user-proven Mobile Production System (MPS).
MPS enables the manufacturing and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from forward locations. RapidFlight states that its MPS can be used as an effective way to mass manufacture UAVs anywhere in the world.
MPS utilizes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for ease of global deployment and compliance with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. They are powered via any 110v-240v AC power source in the world.
Operationally, MPS units are designed to function in the same environment that a warfighter is deployed. MPS can handle wet, dry, hot, cold, clean, and dirty environments with operational limits currently set from -20º F to 130º F and very high humidity.
A single MPS can produce 28 Group 3 aircraft per month (or much higher quantities for Group 2 and/or Group 1). Each MPS unit can be operated independently or in coordination with other MPS units by two trained technicians.
For example, 2,500 or more Group 3 UAVs of the same or varying designs can be manufactured in a year by deploying as few as eight MPS units. The footprint for this production would be half the size of a standard basketball court and set up in less than one week. MPS are easily transported by traditional ground, sea, or air vehicles.
RapidFlight engineers have optimized the hardware and software technology stack specifically for MPS capabilities, offering users the flexibility to quickly deploy new designs or iteratively add additional aircraft capability for the constantly evolving needs within operational theaters.
Additional benefits include the small logistical and operational footprint, more resilient supply chain, and minimized inventory that the MPS concept enables. With multiple MPS units deployed in strategic locations, users can quickly create a distributed and resilient network of UAS production and support, even in remote areas and austere environments.
The company state that the MPS can be operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), its allies, RapidFlight itself, and defense contractor primes.
Jeff Ratcliffe, a panelist on the “Additive Manufacturing & Advanced Materials Use-cases for Attritable Defense Unmanned Systems” session at XPONENTIAL and business development executive at RapidFlight, commented; “RapidFlight MPS enables deployed production of any UAV platform within a small operational and logistical footprint. We’ve designed over 20 different types of air vehicles that are customized for specific missions including: intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communications, and strike.
“Leveraging MPS, RapidFlight ensures that commanders in the field have the flexibility to respond and adapt to any emergent need with real-time design and the unique ability to scale up production at the edge.”
