Optionally Piloted Vehicle
Encyclopedia
An Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) is a hybrid between a conventional aircraft and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV).
Able to fly with or without a human crew on board the aircraft, OPVs are a low-cost alternative to UAVs in research, experimentation, and concept exploration, but may also become used in mainstream operations as familiarity with them increases. Unimpeded by a human's physiological limitations, an OPV is able to operate under more adverse conditions and/or for greater endurance times. Retaining on-board controls, the OPV can operate as a conventional aircraft during missions for which direct human control is preferred or desired as an immediate option.
The US Naval Postgraduate School Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies
(CIRPAS) in Monterey, California operates a highly-modified Cessna 337, O2, Skymaster OPV. Called Pelican, the OPV provides a low-risk, low-cost test and evaluation alternative to a Predator UAV. The Pelican has also provided UAV support to military exercises which otherwise would not have had access to a real UAV due to cost, availability, or FAA restrictions. The Northrop Grumman Firebird
is also classified as an OPV.
Organizations and current news
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
(UAV).
Able to fly with or without a human crew on board the aircraft, OPVs are a low-cost alternative to UAVs in research, experimentation, and concept exploration, but may also become used in mainstream operations as familiarity with them increases. Unimpeded by a human's physiological limitations, an OPV is able to operate under more adverse conditions and/or for greater endurance times. Retaining on-board controls, the OPV can operate as a conventional aircraft during missions for which direct human control is preferred or desired as an immediate option.
The US Naval Postgraduate School Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies
Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies
The Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies located at the Marina Municipal Airport and is a research center of the US Naval Postgraduate School , based in the nearby city of Monterey. Among their research is work done with Optionally Piloted Vehicles.- External links :*...
(CIRPAS) in Monterey, California operates a highly-modified Cessna 337, O2, Skymaster OPV. Called Pelican, the OPV provides a low-risk, low-cost test and evaluation alternative to a Predator UAV. The Pelican has also provided UAV support to military exercises which otherwise would not have had access to a real UAV due to cost, availability, or FAA restrictions. The Northrop Grumman Firebird
Northrop Grumman Firebird
The Northrop Grumman Firebird is an intelligence gathering aircraft designed by Northrop Grumman's Scaled Composites design shop which can be flown remotely or by a pilot. It was unveiled on May 9, 2011...
is also classified as an OPV.
External links
History & Articles- The future of US Army helicopters: pilots optional - Sean Hollister, Engaget. Posted Apr 28th 2010 7:13AM
- US Air Force Foresees Robotic War By Andrew Koch. Jane's Defence Weekly January 22, 2003.
Organizations and current news