MITRE, in collaboration with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has developed an innovative autonomous drone, the Hopper Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), designed to perform extended maritime missions autonomously. This groundbreaking technology, capable of "hopping" across oceans for weeks or even months using solar power, has potential applications in both military and civilian contexts, including search and rescue, illegal activity monitoring, and meteorological event detection.
The Hopper UAV project, initiated by ONR's request for an intelligent, surveillance, and reconnaissance-capable platform, aims to provide a cost-effective and autonomous system for dynamic ocean environments. MITRE's engineering team successfully designed and fabricated the Hopper prototype in under 24 months, employing advanced technologies like computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing.
Lee Mastroianni, program officer for advanced autonomous systems at ONR, praised the project, acknowledging MITRE's contribution to naval objectives through innovation and insight. The Hopper made its public debut at the White House's "American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day," showcasing its national security relevance and alignment with the U.S. Department of Defense's vision for new state-of-the-art technology.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks emphasized the need for autonomous systems that are less expensive, safer, and quicker to update or improve. Hopper fits this vision, evolving from MITRE's National Security Engineering Center, with a design that includes commercial solar cells on its wings to enable power regeneration.
The project also benefited from collaboration with U.S. Naval Academy students, who provided valuable insights for Hopper's design. This partnership highlights the importance of engaging future maritime leaders in cutting-edge technological developments.
Hopper's "swarming" capability, where multiple units operate as a team, enhances its effectiveness in covering large areas and maintaining position in challenging ocean conditions. This feature offers significant advantages, allowing Hopper to augment existing maritime surveillance platforms cost-effectively.
While Hopper currently faces limitations in payload size and power requirements, the MITRE team is actively working to expand its capabilities. Future enhancements include increased payload capacity, extended flight duration, and reduced recharge times.
.png)
