Griffin: A Sonobuoy Tube Launched Low Cost Expendable UAV Navy STTR FY2004 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2004 Topic No.: N04-T004 Topic Title: Griffin: A Sonobuoy Tube Launched Low Cost Expendable UAV Proposal No.: N045-004-0040 Firm: Paragon Space Development Corporation 2700 East Executive Drive Suite 100 Tucson, Arizona 85706 Contact: David Bergeron Phone: (520) 903-1000 Web Site: www.paragonsdc.com Abstract: This proposal is for the development of a Sonobuoy Tube Launched, Low Cost, and Expendable UAV called Griffin. Paragon Space Development Corp. (Paragon) and the Technology Development Research Institute (TDRI) have formed a uniquely capable team with demonstrated experience building and flying UAVs that meet the Sonobuoy Tube Launched UAV performance requirements described in the STTR topic. The proposed UAV will use the existing small UAV platforms, technology and engineering expertise held by Paragon and TDRI to address all significant technical risk in Phase I. This proposal is not for design concept studies. The team will develop mechanical solutions to the flight deployment in Phase I basic and perform flight test demonstrations in the Phase I Option. A low temperature high strength rapid injection molding technique is used with proprietary crosslinking polymer materials to mass-produce the Griffin. Tailored digital electronics packages are encapsulated within the injection molded material for a rapid low cost production technique that eliminates hand mounting of components, while providing shock protection during the sonobuoy tube launch. An innovative energy management and wing deployment technique optimizes the UAVs performance in transit and loiter flight modes. Benefits: Defense applications for the UAV technology are broad, increasing the reconnaissance range and capability of many existing aircraft, while allowing manned aircraft to standoff from dangerous areas. The Paragon TDRI team will follow parallel commercialization tracks for DoD and commercial applications. This technology can be used by other government sectors for homeland defense purposes as well as border patrol, search-and-rescue, fire fighting, pipeline and utility monitoring, aerial photography, and police support such as event monitoring. We expect that the advent of small, low cost expendable UAVs will broaden the range of missions given to UAVs; therefore the Griffin is designed to be mass produced with low labor time, at very low unit costs. In parallel with this Navy Phase I effort, Paragon will continue to outline product development, marketing and sales plans for products resulting from the proposed efforts. Initial market research has begun; competitive analysis has also started, including pricing of existing solutions and competitive quantitative matrices of features and costs. Return