Ultralightweight Airframe Concepts for Air-launched Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

ABSTRACT:JST proposes a Phase I effort to investigate how the cruise missile air vehicle physical envelope can be repurposed for more flexible missions by incorporating different systems, materials, planforms and operating envelopes. The following key technical issues will be addressed in the Phase I study: 1. Development of a dielectric airframe that will have the structural capability and durability to operate in all mission environments. 2. Development of an airframe that can successfully deploy aerodynamic surfaces to meet the mission requirements. 3. Integrate a propulsion system that is robust and flexible enough to meet the flight envelope requirements and deliver necessary electrical power for on board systems. 4. Integrate conformal antenna systems to provide flexible mission capability without compromising structural integrity of the airframe. BENEFIT:Phase I aims to develop an initial design of the ALERT UAV in accordance with the following operational goals: Air launch the ALERT UAV from USAF bombers: Internally or externally from a B-52, internally from a B-2, or externally from a B-1 (Note that any ALERT UAV launched from one of these bombers can be launched out of the cargo bay of a C-130 or C-17). The ability to penetrate First World enemy airspace, and survive long enough to complete its mission. Support ISR (DF/SIGINT) and/or EW and/or Bi-static Passive Radar (BPR) within enemy territory. The ability to assist and supplement the F-35, via precision jamming (EW), escort jamming, location of any and all threat RF emitters (DF/SIGINT), and BPR. The ability to replace the functions and abilities (information extracted) of AWACS, Rivet Joint, and JSTARS; for enemy airborne coastal or boundary penetration events. These functions include Threat Early Warning, DF/SIGINT, BPR, and possibly Synthetic Aperture Radar.