Prioria Robotics Maveric

The Prioria Robotics Maveric is a discontinued unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) marketed as a high-performance, next-generation platform for small and miniature UAV operations. Maveric's bendable wings allow for the ability to store a fully assembled airframe in a 6-inch (150 mm) tube.[1]

Prioria Maveric
Maveric UAV in Flight
Role Tactical, Squad-level, Hand-launched
Manufacturer Prioria Robotics, Inc.

Design

Maveric can be deployed immediately with no assembly,[2] with a claimed dash speed of 55 knots (63 mph; 102 km/h). Marketed as the first smart, customizable SUAS, Maveric utilizes Prioria's proprietary processing platform, Merlin.[2]

Operation

Maveric is capable of fully autonomous operation from launch to landing using waypoints,[2] or it can be flown manually by a human pilot via a simple joystick under autopilot assistance.[3]

Maveric was designed for operation by a single user in a military, tactical setting. To accomplish this goal, the airframe had to be small and light enough (2 lb) for a single user to transport, but with large enough wings (28 in) to support the weight of the batteries, cameras, and electronics sufficient for up to one hour of flight-time.[3]

To overcome issues of portability and assembly time, designers employed a bendable-wing design. This design allows for Maveric's wings, which are large enough to meet the desired operational requirements to collapse and wrap around its fuselage and be placed in a 6-inch-diameter (150 mm) tube, while remaining in a fully assembled state. This has two advantages. It allows the aircraft to be stored in a small space, and it makes the aircraft capable of immediate launch on removal from storage. The flexible wings were also claimed to produce a dampening effect called "apative washout" that would allow the UAS to be flown in heavy wind gusts.[2]

The bendable wings and bird-like profile were also claimed to produce an effect of biological camouflage.[4]

In 2013, Condor Aerial entered a contract to become a licensed retailer of the Maveric system. While Prioria would handle defense contracts itself, Condor would have the right to sell the product to local law enforcement agencies. Condor purchased a Prioria drone for demonstrations with vendors.

A vendor squabble moved into broader allegations of misconduct.[5] While Condor was calling for criminal charges both the local law enforcement, state attorney, and FBI all declined indicating no evidence. “The criminal courts are not going to be used as a tool to advance someone’s civil complaints,” said Bill Cervone State Attorney.[6]

The Condor Aerial lawsuit resulted in a jury award of $1,523,515.00 on December 7, 2017 and a court-ordered seizure of Prioria's assets in January, 201.[7] The company went into insolvency in February of 2018.[8]

Former operators

See also

References
  1. Lee, Shian. "Actuation and Control of Wing Warping via Tendon-sheath Mechanism for Flexible Membrane Wing Mini-UAV". Nanyang Technological University.
  2. "Maveric Mini Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS)". AirForce Technology. Verdict Media Unlimited. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  3. Crane, David (May 23, 2011). "Prioria Robitics Maveric Flexible-Wing Mini-UAS". Defense Review. DefenseReview.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  4. Vergun, David (November 25, 2013). "Army purchases bird-like, micro-unmanned aerial system". ARNEWS. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  5. Musgrave, Shawn (2015-11-03). "Drone Company Misled Military into Buying UAVs that Were Basically Toys: Lawsuit". Vice. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  6. Caplan, Andrew (2 December 2018). "Prioria Robotics complainant calls for criminal charges". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. Caplan, Andrew (19 January 2018). "Assets seized at Prioria Robotics". The Gainesville Sun. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. "Prioria Robotics Holdings, Inc. Bankruptcy (1:18-bk-10019), Florida Northern Bankruptcy Court". www.pacermonitor.com. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  9. United States Army purchases Maveric bird camouflage UAS Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, 26 November 2013
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