ULTRALIGHT PARAGLIDER UAS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND REMOTE SENSING.

This paper depicts the early phase of development for an integrated system tailored for emergency response actions and remote sensing. This paper focuses on the support system envisioned as an integrated Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) system that consists of one or more ultralight multifunctional aerial units with a configuration that can be adapted to the nature of the intervention: monitoring, mapping, observation and logistics etc. Starting from wing airfoil and material selection and ending with the experimental model manufacture, the paper will present the development of a single sail paraglider wing that can meet the operational demands for emergency response situations. The wing was designed mainly to have an easy handling and to have a predictable deployment at all times. The entire system and the aerial units were designed with increased modularity in order to be tailored for specific operational requirements of the intervention. The mapping module relies on photogrammetry and a low power LiDAR sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]