A Lightweight, High Efficiency, Heat Rejection System for HALE Aircraft

The ability to obtain reconnaissance anywhere in the world within a short time after launch is critical to the information gathering capability of the United States. High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) vehicles were designed for this purpose. Creare’s innovation is a novel High Altitude Heat Rejection System (HAHRS) that utilizes high conductivity, lightweight coated panels that are bonded to low-profile, ultra-light aluminum heat pipes for effective, lightweight heat rejection at low and high altitudes. Based on our initial calculations, our novel HAHRS will meet or exceed DARPA’s goals by enabling the rejection of 50 kW of heat with a mass of approximately 80 kg (~1.6 kg/kW) and an area of approximately 90 square meters. Our innovation can operate at low and high temperatures and represents a significant advancement in the state-of-the-art in heat rejection systems.