DIRECT TO PHASE II: Rotational Launcher for Shipboard Systems

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Hypersonics;Space Technology OBJECTIVE: Develop a shipboard Accelerator-Based Launch System to launch group 1-2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) distances of more than 70 km without using UAV fuel or energy. UAV payload could support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) or anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission threads. DESCRIPTION: Currently, the United States Navy utilizes traditional launching systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAVs. These systems require a UAV to expense fuel immediately upon launch. The Naval Aviation Community is interested in an innovative air vehicle launching system having significantly higher end speeds to achieve a greater distance before a UAV begins to expense onboard fuel reserves. The Navy seeks to address the limitations of existing launching systems, which suffer from several drawbacks such as onboard fuel dependent launches and large footprints, limiting mission flexibility and ship capacity. With a system such as this, the UAV will have the ability to stay on aloft longer or increase payloads due to the increased fuel reserves. This could provide greater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and force projection. Deliverables: System Design: Design a shipboard accelerator-based launching system capable of releasing UAVs at speeds exceeding Mach 1. Achieve deployment distances greater than 70 km over ground and altitudes surpassing 40 km. Scaled Prototype: Construct a working scaled prototype that accurately models scaled exit velocities, distance over ground and altitude of the full-scale design. Air Vehicle Considerations: While the air vehicle doesn't have to currently exist, it can be derived from the launching system's launch forces. Aim for a UAV weight within the group 1-2 category (small to medium-sized), which can be scaled down for the prototype. If possible, a group 3 category weight is optional. Remember that the vehicle's weight directly affects the distance it can travel based on stored fuel capacity as well as duration on station. Size: This accelerator is expected to be adapted to work off of a sea-based platform. The ship or platform does not need to currently exist, but it would be preferred. The upper limit size restraint is no more than 294 m in length, 32 m beam and a draft of 12 m so that the vessel can traverse through the world's canals. If the vessel chosen is towed, the design must also incorporate the lead vessel into the mentioned dimensions to adequately be towed through canals. Support documentation: Provide documentation that demonstrates the scaled prototype will meet the full-scaled design if a full-scaled prototype was constructed. PHASE I: For a Direct to Phase II topic, the Government expects that the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort and developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic requirements of the stated objective above. The below actions would be required to satisfy the requirements of Phase I: Proposers interested in submitting a Direct to Phase II proposal must provide documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility equivalent to a Phase I project has been met. Documentation can include data, reports, specific measurements, success criteria of a prototype, and so forth. FEASIBILITY DOCUMENTATION: Offerors interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their response to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met (i.e., the small business must have performed Phase I-type research and development related to the topic NOT solely based on work performed under prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR/STTR work) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology as stated in Phase I above. PHASE II: Provide a detailed design and engineering analyses consistent with a Critical Design Review. Include a demonstration of the full-scale system operating in simulation. If a subscale prototype can be built, utilize that to validate model performance. Provide detailed cost estimate, and a plan for manufacturing the full-scale prototype. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Build and test a full-scale prototype at sea. This SBIR topic may benefit the private sector by providing a ship-based launching platform for satellites and UAVs. Having a mobile platform will better alleviate air and sea traffic from the area based on time of day, sea conditions, orbit or launch angle is required. REFERENCES: 1. Sayler, K. M. "Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress (R45811)." Congressional Research Service, February 9, 2024. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45811 2. Guertin, N. H. Director Operational Test & Evaluation Report FY22. Department of Defense, January 2023, p. 18. https://www.dote.osd.mil/portals/97/pub/reports/fy2022/fy22doteannualreport.pdf KEYWORDS: Rotational Accelerator; Rotational Launcher; Launcher; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; UAVs; Group 1, Group 2; Accelerator