Project Stingray
Faculty Mentor Name
Joseph W. Smith
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Increased interest in persistent aerial surveillance and distributed mission capabilities has created a demand for flexible unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of deploying and recovering secondary aircraft in flight. Project Stingray addresses this need through a two-airframe architecture consisting of a high-endurance “mother” aircraft and a maneuverable “child” drone. Operating as a unified aerodynamic system during takeoff and climb, the coupled configuration optimizes power distribution and range prior to deployment. Upon reaching the designated mission area, the child drone performs a controlled separation and executes an independent mission task requiring agility, among other mission-specific capabilities.
The central goal of Project Stingray is the development of a robust mid-air capture and reintegration system. The child drone was designed and validated independently to ensure stable, high-performance flight separate from the carrier platform. Wind tunnel testing verified aerodynamic characteristics prior to flight integration, while the mechanical capture mechanism was statically tested to validate structural integrity and alignment tolerances. During flight demonstrations, the mother aircraft successfully launched the child drone, maintained proximity flight, and enabled precision docking using synchronized navigation, real-time telemetry, and pilot-in-the-loop control. The system then returned to base as a mechanically coupled unit.
By addressing the aerodynamic, structural, and control challenges associated with proximity flight and secure mechanical coupling, Project Stingray establishes a scalable framework for reusable airborne deployment systems. This capability supports extended-range operations, rapid redeployment of secondary sensors, and mission adaptability in remote or hazardous environments, advancing the practicality of collaborative UAV operations.
Project Stingray
Increased interest in persistent aerial surveillance and distributed mission capabilities has created a demand for flexible unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of deploying and recovering secondary aircraft in flight. Project Stingray addresses this need through a two-airframe architecture consisting of a high-endurance “mother” aircraft and a maneuverable “child” drone. Operating as a unified aerodynamic system during takeoff and climb, the coupled configuration optimizes power distribution and range prior to deployment. Upon reaching the designated mission area, the child drone performs a controlled separation and executes an independent mission task requiring agility, among other mission-specific capabilities.
The central goal of Project Stingray is the development of a robust mid-air capture and reintegration system. The child drone was designed and validated independently to ensure stable, high-performance flight separate from the carrier platform. Wind tunnel testing verified aerodynamic characteristics prior to flight integration, while the mechanical capture mechanism was statically tested to validate structural integrity and alignment tolerances. During flight demonstrations, the mother aircraft successfully launched the child drone, maintained proximity flight, and enabled precision docking using synchronized navigation, real-time telemetry, and pilot-in-the-loop control. The system then returned to base as a mechanically coupled unit.
By addressing the aerodynamic, structural, and control challenges associated with proximity flight and secure mechanical coupling, Project Stingray establishes a scalable framework for reusable airborne deployment systems. This capability supports extended-range operations, rapid redeployment of secondary sensors, and mission adaptability in remote or hazardous environments, advancing the practicality of collaborative UAV operations.