That technology was the microdrones™ md4-1000 aerial vehicle, a VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft that supports up to a 1.2 kg payload. This UAS was equipped with a camera, sensors, and the Applanix APX-15, a component designed to drastically improve the efficiency of mapping missions. APX-15 accomplishes these goals by:
1. allowing data to be accurately collected without surveying an extensive number of ground control points
2. decreasing the amount of overlap that needs to be flown, saving flight time.
These advantages were especially important for this dam mission because GCPs could not be placed on the dam and long flights were required.
Why was the md4-1000 a perfect fit?
The md4-1000 solution from microdrones was uniquely qualified for this mission because of these key benefits:
Safety. Thanks to the APX-15, it was not necessary to place ground control points on the crumbling dam. This allowed the pilots to collect highly accurate data from a position of safety at all times.
Flight Time. This mission required the UAS to stay in the air for a very long time as it flew back and forth, surveying the dam in rough winds over the wide canal. With the longest flight times on the market, the md4-1000 was the perfect vehicle for this mission. Depending on load and weather, the md4-1000 can stay in the air for about 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on payload.
“We achieve our long flight times through a collection of key design elements, three of the most important being our number of motors, battery pack, and engine configuration,” said Long. “We can fly longer than other UASs because we fly on only four motors, where others normally fly on six, eight, or even ten. We don’t need the additional motors because ours are so well made, reliable, and powerful. The German engineering translates to a better product. Our 6S24 battery is another feature that gives the UAS exceptional endurance. Plus, our system flies in a cross pattern instead of the usual X pattern seen on other platforms. This is a much more complicated design for us, but it is much more economical on the battery.”
Durability. md4-1000’s resilient carbon fiber housing made it an ideal choice for flying in the rough winds above the Canal. The UAS’s structural and electronic components can stand up to high maximum temperatures of 130° C (266°F).
Stability. Another major advantage of the md4-1000 is its stability, which is due mostly to its large propellers. “Our propeller size allows our motors to fly at a lower RPM, averaging 2000 RPM as opposed to 8000 RPM,” explained Long. “Plus, the large propellers impact the wind differently than smaller ones. This makes the vehicle much more stable in the air. It’s also much quieter; other systems sound like swarms of mosquitoes. Our large propellers hardly make a sound.”
Accuracy. The APX-15 allowed us to know exactly where the UAS was, within 2-3 centimeters, at any given time. This integration contributes heavily to the exceptional accuracy of the UAS. Reliability. microdrones systems are made from German-engineered components and assembled in North America, so they offer superb reliability. “These aren’t thrown together in the cheapest factories in the world, like so many UASs. And that’s important. Things happen when you’re flying – things fail! But you don’t want them falling out of the sky when they’re carrying a $50,000 payload. Customers certainly don’t want their name associated with a failed mission,” explained Long. “They can prevent that by choosing a well-made UAS they can trust.”
Mission Accomplished
Challenge: A preservation agency needed to survey a crumbling dam that was too damaged for humans to access. Solution: We deployed a microdrones md4-1000 UAS with an Applanix APX-15, which allowed us to fly over the dam collecting accurate information while using only a minimal number of ground control points.
Impact: The agency was able to collect the data and images they needed at the required accuracy without putting any human lives in danger.
The microdrones difference: Our UAS saved the agency valuable time, money, and hassle.
The md4-1000’s long flight times, resilient design, and GCP reduction allowed the mission to be completed quickly and efficiently – even in windy conditions.