Enhanced Starting Reliability and High Altitude Operation of Internal Combustion Engines on Miniature Munitions

The focus of this research and development effort is the maturation of a small-displacement internal combustion (IC) engine with reliable, on-board, in-flight, start/re-start capabilities specifically targeting compressed carriage sUAS aerial vehicles that are remotely deployed.The advantage of integrating of IC engines into these platforms is a significant increase in range and endurance expanding the overall mission capability of these platforms.Currently, the majority of small unmanned aerial vehicles use battery-powered electric propulsion systems which, while highly reliable, have reduced energy density compared to internal combustion systems greatly limiting their range and flight duration.This Phase II research effort will leverage the research and testing conducted in the Phase I project to develop reliable, autonomous, start technology to allow for more widespread infusion of internal combustion engines for deployable unmanned aerial vehicles.At the close of the Phase II effort, Systima will have fully quantified the advantages of IC engines for sUAS as well as developed a flight-ready IC propulsion system compatible with compressed carriage for aerial vehicles deployed from the Common Launch Tube (CLT) or similar.This will greatly expand the range, endurance and mission scope of these aerial vehicles.