SBIR-STTR Award

This research will show how data-capable laser communication retro-reflectors integrated with multispectral image processing can provide extreme reliability positioning suitable for full time automatic landing aboard ship of piloted fixed wing aircraft. The positioning system supports the SALRS long-term objective to reduce or eliminate pilot training to perform manual landing aboard ship including recurrent training. All landings aboard ship would be automatic, all the time, as was originally intended in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. An interim step will support full automatic landing in zero visibility conditions typical of dense fog and sand storms. Future capabilities would include shallow or flared landings aboard ship.

Benefit:
The cost of training pilots to perform manual landings aboard ship, including recurrent training to maintain ship landing qualification, runs to billions of dollars per year. Most of this money could be saved if automatic landing aboard ship was of sufficient reliability to reduce or eliminate ship landing from the pilot training syllabus. All landings aboard ship would be automatic, all the time, as was originally intended in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Landings in zero visibility conditions would improve operational effectiveness. Shallow or flared landings would reduce impact energy according to a square law, yielding dramatic reductions in landing gear structural weight for new aircraft, or similar sizeable increases in bring-back weight for existing aircraft.

Keywords:
landing, landing, imaging, LASER, Multispectral, communication, Reliability, Reflector, Modulation

The ability to refuel piloted aircraft in flight is considered a strategic military advantage and has been a critical element of success in nearly every US and NATO military engagement of the jet age. One key asset used to facilitate aerial refueling is PMA-201s Aerial Refueling Store (ARS), which allows fighters and other store-carrying aircraft to be reconfigured as tankers. The ARS is set to undergo a redesign and update to replace the current aging fleet of pods. The new ARS 31-301-48310-8 (-8 ARS) will integrate several new technologies to provide a number of advancements to the current ARS, including the ability to produce the data needed to support engagement mishap investigations. These mishap investigations aid in the research to prevent reoccurrences and reduce future accidents. Under this effort, Coherent Technical Services, Inc. (CTSi) will develop an ARS based instrumentation system capable of recording critical engagement parameters including relative position data, closure rates, and video for post flight analysis. In addition, by providing real time tanker/drogue/receiver positioning and closure rates, the system as installed on the -8 ARS will be capable of supporting Automated Air to Air Refueling (A3R) with manned and unmanned receivers. The development of the ARS Instrumentation

Benefit:
The ARS Instrumentation System is in the general category of real-time machine vision systems. Since the NATO standard refueling system is probe/drogue, the technology developed under this effort can be applied directly to international Coalition markets for manned refueling. In addition, due to the rapid proliferation of unmanned systems, there will be significant Coalition interest in the support of UAV refueling as well. We will market the other Services operating refueling aircraft (USMC, USAF) as well as international militaries through NATO, the ARSAG and other groups. With the cooperation of the Navy, we can also promote our ARS solution as an international standard that other countries can adopt.

Keywords:
tanker, F-18, refueling, ARS, Closure Rate, Relative Navigation, Automation, optical