Highly Sensitive Miniature CTS Force Balance

Verification of the proper separation of stores held on aircraft is critical to the mission and safety of the aircraft. Verification comes in the form of comparing the data from simulations, ground testing, and flight testing to determine the direction the device leaves the aircraft and the forces on the device, ensuring it will not break apart. The small size of the various stores being tested presents challenges for obtaining accurate force measurements on the scaled models used during wind tunnel testing. Conventional force balance technologies are not sensitive enough to capture the low aerodynamic forces exerted on the models. Luna is proposing to team with Calspan Force Measurement Systems to develop a miniature force balance that incorporates fiber optic sensing technology. During Phase I the team will leverage their previous successes in incorporating fiber into balance systems to design a novel, miniature, 6-component balance for store separation testing. During Phase II a prototype will be developed and delivered to the USAF for evaluation. It is anticipated that the balance developed during this effort will be transitioned to USAF and commercial wind tunnel facilities through a Phase III effort working with commercial partners within the aerospace industry.