Turais® is a multi-mission, air-launched modular UAV developed under a US Navy SBIR for a ‘Wing and Bomb Bay Launched UAS.” Turais® is configured with a Heavy Fuel Engine/Propeller module and high aspect ratio wing. Turais® is deployable in-flight from P-3C Orion maritime patrol or other manned aircrafts and is designed to extend their coverage area, effective time-on-station and stand-off range from threat environments. Testing through 2013 demonstrated meting all its objectives including aerial launch, safe separation, in-flight reconfiguration and autonomous navigation, recovery and re-test. Turais® features a cylindrical body that has a flattened topside and support’s high-mounted, rotatable wing and horizontal tail surfaces, plus dependent vertical tail surfaces of a similar shape. Turais® may conduct multiple missions, including broad area maritime surveillance, high altitude ASW missions, target localization, identification and targeting at standoff ranges in all-weather conditions. Turais® contains selected sensors, demonstrating aerial launch and conversion to powered flight, waypoint navigation, transfer of UAV and payload control to a P-8 Orien surrogate Ground Control Station with video uplinks and a ground observer for parachute recovery.
