PEGASUS TRANSFORMING UAV/UGV HYBRID VEHICLE

<title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>In this paper, we present Pegasus Transforming UAV/UGV Hybrid Vehicle, a unique, transformable UAS/UGV that is particularly well-suited for missions. The combination of flight and ground modalities allows Pegasus to fly to location, automatically transform into a ground vehicle, reposition, and quietly approach a target; or, Pegasus can land and “perch” for long durations, allowing for the maintenance of the custody trail and long ISR missions or emplace sensors particular for a specific mission. The sequential use of aerial and ground capabilities in this platform provides the reach usually lacking in these missions.</p> <p>The Pegasus platform was developed with DTRA/ARDEC funding in support of specialized missions where these functionalities are needed. Robotic Research, LLC has developed the system from the ground up, including: mechanical, electrical, and software designs (without using foreign-made parts). The current system is shown in <xref rid="F1" ref-type="fig">Figure 2</xref>. The system already has obstacle avoidance payloads, and has demonstrated capabilities in GPS-denied environments and SubT, while mapping and traversing line-of-sight and NLOS areas. <fig id="F1" position="float" specific-use="1col"> <label>Figure 2</label> <caption> <title>Pegasus quietly drives to a location, flies to a roof, and repositions on top of the roof to point to the OP.</title></caption> <graphic content-type="figure" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="2024-01-3649_fig0001" /></fig></p>