High Density Carriage Technology Innovation, Integral Munition Ejection System

ABSTRACT: Systima Technologies will develop an ultra-low profile, modular carriage/release system by incorporation of various emerging technologies within the Munition Design. This system will nearly double carriage density compared to traditional bomb rack integrations (for 7"stores). By eliminating the bomb rack altogether, the maintenance, cleaning and logistic costs are alleviated, along with the parasitic weight of the rack itself. This provides more opportunity to backfill with additional weapons to increase load-out. The system is both forward and backward compatible with legacy and future platforms, which integrates well within the direction of the Flexible Weapons Program efforts. An internal, electronic safe/arm system design meets safety requirements in lieu of conventional mechanical methods which allow the non-traditional packaging of many stores within a confined volume. This technology lends itself ideally to limited volume, internal bomb storage bays such as the F-35. BENEFIT: To successfully transition the integral ejector and related technology to market Systima will work closely with the AFRL and system safety (NNMSB, Seek Eagle, etc) to address and meet requirements that will arise with this non-conventional approach (compared to traditional bomb racks). System Safety approval and completion of the Phase II Flight Demonstration will allow Systima to assume a proactive leadership role in marketing, collaboration and input to the weapons manufacturers to adopt the technology into future weapons. As these weapons mature it will ultimately permit the high density packaging to be realized by the end user. From an aircraft integration standpoint, the interface is to some extent less of an impact due to the simplicity of the design. Still however, Systima will work with key aircraft providers such as Boeing, and Lockheed to integrate Systima"s technology into their platforms. By working this commercialization plan from both ends, Systima will expedite the transition of this technology to the field by acting as a critical conduit between the aircraft providers, weapons suppliers and government/end user. The commercialization opportunity for this technology would most likely be realized first on the Flexible Weapons Program. Systima roughly estimates that the integral ejector could be 20-30,000 units over time based upon the current production and forecast of the following comparable weapons: ~12,000 SDB-I (GBU39/B, Current Inventory) ~17,000 SDB II (GBU53/B, Total Planned Procurement) ~2,300 Laser JDAM (Recent Order) Systima assumes that significant production of weapons with integral ejector technology will not likely start for approximately 10 years. While fleet-wide adaptation of High Density Carriage, Integral Ejector Weapons may not occur for a number of years, significant work will be required (both engineering, and hardware fabrication and test) supporting these new weapon development efforts as programs build towards tactical systems.