SBIR-STTR Award

Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems proposes using our purpose built heavy fuel engine designed and built in the USA for small unmanned aerial systems in the tier 2 & 3 class. We will be adding a lightweight ceramic material set combined with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and heavy fuel atomizer (IRAD Project) to create a lightweight engine for a SUAS or STUAS class UAVs. The Ceramic material set is added to portions of the NWUAV 34cc engine to take advantage of performance enhancements like the ability to retain heat and operate at high temperatures. We propose using materials such as silicon nitride and enhancing the processing characteristics and properties of Si3N4 by using nanoparticle additions to micron-sized powders in polymer suspensions. Work will be performed by Oregon State University with engineering assistance and testing to be performed by NWUAV.

Benefit:
We anticipate this research will lead to improved engine efficienies at higher altitudes; allowing longer time on station and increasing mission capabilites. Developed techology will assist these types of UAVs during launch at higher altitudes. additionally small engine companies looking for lightweight solutions for handheld equipment like chain saws and string trimmers; while helping these compnaies reduce exhaust emmissions required by the EPA.

Keywords:
, ,, advance materials, UAV Heavy Fuel Engine Manufacturing. , high power to weight ratio, Lightweight UAV Engine Design, Ceramic Engine Components, Innovative Heavy Fuel Atomizer

This program seeks to develop Hydrogen fuel cell technology developed by NRL into a system that will operate on a Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS). Compressed Hydrogen fuel cells are the best technology that will fill the propulsion capability gap between batteries and internal combustion systems. They promise to offer the warfighter a simpler and lower maintenance system that can be more widely deployed than ICE systems, and far more capability than battery powered systems. For the commercial product this offers the low cost and long life while still offering the long endurance resulting in the highest value per flight hour. NWUAV will develop the product through design, development, documentation, and testing to a state where it can be flight tested. NWUAV will create operational and maintenance documentation towards a fieldable system.