1. Multiple Modes – RDASS 4™ can be autonomously flown either from a wireless handheld unit, a laptop or both controls can be used simultaneously
2. Multiple Vehicles – Manage multiple RDASS 4™ vehicles, and/or other Kestrel-enabled vehicles simultaneously
3. 3-D Terrain – The ability to view maps in 3D for flight plan analysis and obstacle awareness
4. Ground Station – Virtual Cockpit™ provides real time control of waypoints, latitude, longitude, altitude, and max/min altitudes via simple drag and drop
5. Camera Control – Control all camera functions wirelessly, zoom, pan/tilt and shutters
6. Target Tracking – OnPoint™ Targeting provides gimbal pointing only and/or vehicle pursuit modes
7. Safety Auto-Return – If the user simply turns off the transmitter, the vehicle will return ‘home’ and land
8. Black Box – Onboard and/or ground station data logging
9. Stability – The RDASS 4™ can fly with full GPS or simple X and Y axis stability to fly in tight locations

Ground Station Software

With a simple flick of the autopilot toggle switch, the RDASS 4™ can be managed fully from the Ground Station Software. This quick conversion allows the helicopter to be managed in a full autonomous mode via the laptop or optionally attached Joystick.

The Ground Station software allows for creation of pre-determined missions including the capability to download 2D satellite images of terrain and develop complete flight plans that include detailed way point management and the ability to create height, attitude and Helicopter direction via and speed of movement between all way points.

Also, the software allows for the ability to trigger camera and remote video via payloads at specific points. The software also shows ‘real time’ elements of the Helicopter Health including battery, telemetry connectivity and other key attributes. The user always has the flexibility to switch during a mission into Assisted Mode, RC Mode, or Home Mode. The ability to seamlessly switch into and back to the Mission Mode completes the ability of the RDASS 4™ Helicopter to offer true user controlled autonomous flight.

With a simple flick of the autopilot toggle switch on the top of the RC unit, the RDASS 4™ is now flying in full autopilot mode called ‘Pilot Directed’. During this “bump-less transfer” the helicopter is now fully stabilized using GPS/INS and other sensors required to perform stability augmentation as well as position and velocity control.

All of the user directed flight commands are now managed via the autopilot to create a set of invisible electronic ‘Guard Rails’ that might be catastrophic with other UAV platforms. The software creates managed ascents and descents, proportional pirouette commands, proportional forward/aft velocity and proportional sideward velocity, and fully automatic coordinated turning can all be used in concert by the user to direct the helicopter to any desired position. Release all commands and the helicopter returns automatically to stable, position held hover. Automatic takeoff and auto landing are also incorporated. The system is able to take ‘Novice’ RC users and make them into efficient mission managers. The RDASS 4™ autopilot interprets the users stick movements and incorporates the most technologically ‘Robust’ autopilot system and manages the entire craft without the presence of a laptop! The result is groundbreaking and creates the simplest to use UAV Helicopter platform on the market today.