Compact Unmanned Aerial System for Marine Species Monitoring

STTR topic DON27TZ02-NV006 (U.S. Department of Defense – Navy), Phase I and II. Open to U.S. small businesses; STTR projects partner with a U.S. research institution. Opens: December 2, 2026. Closes: January 6, 2027. A major remaining hurdle with marine species management is to know if, and when, measurable short-term behavioral and/or physiological responses of marine species to sound exposure results in biologically significant or meaningful effects on individuals and/or their populations. Advances in UAS methods and technology present unprecedented opportunities to improve the capacity to collect this robust data with minimal disturbance to marine species. However, while UAS methods have led to significant advances in our understanding of marine species’ behavior, health, and body condition, thus far many obstacles remain including cost, flight duration, size, and image resolution. This STTR topic seeks to develop a compact, inexpensive, and NDAA-compliant UAS and payloads designed to collect high-resolution photogrammetry imagery to improve marine mammal monitoring, health measurements, and behavioral sequencing. In particular, the prototype device should contain the following technical parameters: high resolution flat zoom lens camera integrated with a gimbal system; highly maneuverable and flexible payload system; lightweight batteries less than 100 Watt hours; an accurate Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) altimeter and range finder integrated with the camera and capable of measuring distances up to 50m or more; and a monitor that is operational in direct sunlight and with polarized sunglasses;. It should be designed for flight times as much as or greater than 40 minutes; be compact and portable in both size and weight such that the UAS and case can fit airline luggage restrictions; have the ability to be quickly calibrated, launched, and caught by hand during small boat-based operations and to tolerate temperature range of -20 degrees to +40 degrees…