Micro-MAD Tow System

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a system for towing micro Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) sensors from unmanned and manned rotary-wing aerial vehicles such as the Fire Scout MQ-8C VTUAV. In prior efforts, TUI successfully developed a prototype lightweight winch, fiber-optic cable, and passively-stabilized tow body for deploying the AN/ASQ-233 sensor from the MQ-8B. Recent advances in micro MAD sensor technologies as well as new high-strength optical fiber cables can enable further reductions in the SWaP for a towing system. The lower energy requirements of the micro-MAD sensors enable rechargeable batteries to power the sensor, and eliminating the need for conductors in the cable to transfer power to the tow body enables use of a thin, high-strength optical fiber as the tow cable. The size and mass reductions in the tow body and cable in turn enable significant reductions in the SWaP of the winch. In the proposed Phase I effort, TUI will develop a concept design for the Micro-MAD Towing System, detailing component technologies, interfaces, and CONOPS as well as determining high-fidelity SWaP, cost, and drag estimates. In the Phase II we will mature the full Micro-MAD Towing System to TRL-5+ through testing on Part-133 Class-A certified helicopters.