Car-top launcher can be mounted on all cars that accept THULE’s Rapid Aero
™ roof rack. Installation on car roof and removal of the launcher takes less
than two minutes. Penguin UAV can be transported when mounted on the car-top
launcher with the wing tips removed and secured with safety-pins.
When
compared against catapult launcher, the car-top launcher is more than three
times less expensive than the closest alternative, and does not need maintenance
or assembly. Car-top launcher is light, small and it is easy to store and
transport.
Using the car-top launcher, the Penguin UAV can be launched
from any surface, where a car can reach the takeoff speed, which is
approximately 70 km/h. This launching method offers high reliability under the
strong and gusty side-wind conditions.
The car-top launcher has a
convenient removable starter assembly with an integrated Lithium Ion battery and
MOSFET switch. Once the UAV engine is running, the starter assembly can be
easily removed.
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Low cost alternative to catapult launching
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Light, small and reliable
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Good reliability under strong wind, side wind and gusty conditions
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Safe and reliable electric starter with Lithium batteries, MOSFET switch