Sonobuoy Tube Launched UAV
Navy STTR FY2004


Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2004
Topic No.: N04-T004
Topic Title: Sonobuoy Tube Launched UAV
Proposal No.: N045-004-0254
Firm: Guided Systems Technologies, Inc.
P.O. Box 1453
McDonough, Georgia 30253-1453
Contact: J. Corban
Phone: (770) 898-9100
Abstract: Expendable, sonobuoy tube-launched unmanned aerial vehicles employing a variety of sensor systems are recognized as providing an economical means to enhance P-3 aircraft operations and assure crew safety. The proposed phase I program develops a preliminary design for a tube-launched vehicle by optimizing the system design parameters along optimized trajectories that are developed for a representative set of mission scenarios. The high performance design is then balanced using requirements for reliability and affordability through a formal cost-benefit analysis to obtain the best overall design. The deployment strategy depends directly from existing sonobuoy technology in order to minimize the cost of introduction and qualification on the P-3. The system employs advanced technology for real-time optimal path planning to produce maximum flight performance, and employs neural network adaptive guidance and control to largely eliminate dependence on high fidelity aerodynamic modeling, wind tunnel testing, gain scheduling, and a costly flight validation program for the controller. The adaptive system also enables a true plug and play capability for interchangeable payload modules. Design for low-cost manufacturing is addressed from the outset. The phase II program provides for detailed design and fabrication, testing, and initial operational demonstration from a P-3 in partnership with the sponsor.
Benefits: The proposed expendable sonobuoy tube-launched unmanned aerial vehicle will provide the U.S. Navy with enhanced P-3 operations and also increase crew safety. The expendable platform will also find application elsewhere in the DoD, and in other government sectors for use in areas such as homeland defense, border patrol, search and rescue. Once in volume production for the Navy, recoverable derivatives of the very low cost system will find application in the commercial fishing industry, forestry, agriculture, police work, disaster response, and news gathering.

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