SBIR-STTR Award

AEREON'S Wide Aperture Surveillance Platform (WASP) concept represents an effective, affordable solution to primary problems of airborne radar surveillance: 360 degree coverage, high altitude, long endurance and high power aperture. Very large phased array antenna panels, triangularly installed within a conformal platform, deliver unique capability for Cooperative Engagement and other Joint Service opportunities. Design studies and simulations by AEREON, under a USAF/ESD SBIR Phase I and II developed a preliminary design (WASP/AF) of this 200,000 lb. aircraft stationing its three 65 x 15 foot antenna panels above 30,000 feet for over 16 hours, unrefueled. AEREON proposes to use that technology to examine a carrier-based version, "WASP/N," a potent Navy EX candidate (EX-Aerobody). Phase I first will examine EX-specific aspects of the design: aerodynamic and structural issues raised by carrier basing; reduced size; and twin-engine configuration. Second, AEREON will examine trailing edge radome configurations and performance, critically important both to WASP/N and WASP/AF. Phase I efforts will utilize available CFD, FEA and EMR codes along with AEREON's performance and stability estimating software. A Phase II program to measure and evaluate trailing edge radome aerodynamic and electromagnetic performance and to perform experimental radar/radome investigations will be proposed.

This technology project aims to advance the art of aviation in reducing - by almost an order of magnitude - landing and takeoff distance for diverse aircraft. AEREON will exploit the "dynamic lift" phenomenon, emulating the technology/technique of birds. Such technology accomplishment will respond to the Phase I SBIR Topic "To Enhance the Navy's Warfighting Capabilities" (enabling very short-field and small-deck operations) by demonstration through small model testing and documentation. AEREON's 6 month experimental Project consists of low cost, short-duration, catapaulted flights and landings (exploiting dynamic lift)in a very short distance. The UNPOWERED model will be a scaled-down version of AEREON's deltoid "Wide Aperture Surveillance Platform" UAV (WASP UAV)configuration. Test results will benefit from using that shape. The 12 month Option will enhance test aircraft capability, extending to POWERED flight Dynamic Lift Assisted Takeoff and Landing ("DynASTOL"), scaled to a short field or littoral combat ship (LCS)deck-size area, in calm conditions. The combined Phase II with Option will mature the enabling technologies and perform flight demonstrations to prove feasibility of DynASTOL. That will move dynamic lift from an immature 'analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of-concept' [TRL 3] toward the 'mature system/subsystem model and prototype demonstration in a relevant environment' [TRL 6]. Rapid transition of the technology to other UAV, developmental and even operational aircraft will have been enabled by TTO.

Keywords:
DYNAMIC LIFT ASSISTED SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING, DYNASTOL, EMULATE BIRDS, WASP UAV, AERODYNAMIC MODEL TEST, NAVY'S FUTURE WARFIGHTING CAPABILITIES