WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force logistics experts needed to develop enabling technologies for swarms of unmanned gliders for precision payload delivery of air-launched supplies from long ranges. They found their solution from Dzyne Technologies Inc. in Fairfax, Va.
Officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced an $89.4 million contract to Dzyne Technologies last week for research into the unmanned Small Payload Precision Air-Launched Inexpensive Delivery System (SPPAIDS).
This low-cost system is designed to improve small-payload precision delivery capability at long standoff ranges. Dzyne Technologies will develop, build, and demonstrate a functional prototype aircraft for this job.
Dzyne Technologies experts will develop, mature, and demonstrate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarming technologies and related systems for eventual transfer to military users.
The company will develop the aero design and prototyping of the glider vehicle, mechanical design and testing of the shock attenuation method, software development to demonstrate precision landing, and material and manufacturing development to support rapid destructibility.
Military demand for a system able to deliver small payloads precisely has been largely unmet in military and commercial applications, Air Force researchers say.
The SPPAIDS system will meet this commercial and military demand with a system that precisely delivers as much as 25 pounds of payload, with minimal cost and labor necessary from the end user.
On this contract Dzyne Technologies will do the work in Irvine, Calif., and should be finished by June 2027. For more information contact Dzyne Technologies online at www.dzynetech.com, or the Air Force Research Laboratory at www.afrl.af.mil.
Airborne Technologies will offer ARTEMIS in an integrated aerial SAR package to also include the L3Harris WESCAM MX-10 EO/IR low-weight imaging system, BlackFish satellite intercept system from Horizon Technologies and SHOTOVER Systems mission software.
Smith Myers is a design, development, manufacture and support of application specific cellular network and handset capabilities company is celebrating 35 years since it was established by a team of UK design engineers.
"ARTEMIS airborne capabilities are available for use on manned rotary and fixed-wing platforms and drones with large and small payloads," explains John Gillespie, Smith Myers Production Manager for 25-years. "Joining forces with Airborne Technologies provides a compelling sensor solution, backed by a fully qualified certification according to EASA standards and an outstanding line up of world-leading sensor and software partners."
ARTEMIS is available in several SWaP configurations for crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Since coming out of stealth last year, AIR has completed a successful drop test and has finalized the first stage of the power and communication system integration. The company is also currently preparing to begin hover testing shortly and continues to work closely with the FAA to finalize its formal application en route to Step 2 of the G1 Certification Basis Document.
Testing of such an autonomous fighter aircraft will require the contractor to integrate the test aircraft with ground sensors and truth data systems. The Government will provide red team targets, a test range, logistics support, and data collection at the initial flight assessment.
Initial flight tests will involve responding to scenarios designed to mimic operational incidents, as well as stress test the systems’ engagement speeds, ranges, and endurance. The test aircraft must be based on U.S. components and electronics.
From industry, Air Force researchers want information about candidate test aircraft such as sprint speed; top engagement speed; maximum range; maximum loiter time; size, weight, power consumption, and cost; required number of operators; required training of operators; resistance to shock, dirt, water, and temperature; operational weather limitations; ability to operate at night; multiple target engagements; engagement success rate by target type; engagement success rate by engagement speed; and engagement success rate by altitude.
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