The United States Air Force Academy, Department of Engineering Mechanics (USAFA/DFEM) along with the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) and United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has developed and demonstrated a proof-of-concept robotic system capable of both flight and all-terrain ground obstacle evasion as well as sensor deployment. The Anti-Access Reconnaissance System (AARS) is an innovative retractable mobility platform capable of navigation through constrictive areas and obstacles approximately 18 inches apart. The AARS's function is to provide a vehicle capable of deploying sensors in an anti-access area denial situation while navigating and overcoming terrain obstacles up to 30 feet in height. Intelligence gathered during surveillance, target acquisition, and battle damage assessment provides essential support and safety to personnel. The AARS is the initial step in achieving a fully autonomous flight and ground system capable of remote sensor deployment. This paper provides an overview of the project's development including acquiring customer needs and design requirements, concept and selection, prototyping, testing and analysis, and future system capabilities. The development process discussed throughout this paper emphasizes the innovative design of the AARS as well as the need for an autonomous damage-resistant flight and ground surveillance vehicle.
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