Low Cost, Precision Aerial Dropsonde Delivery Vehicle

KaZaK Composites proposes continued development and demonstration of a stand-off, autonomous disposable unmanned vehicle that can deliver a variety of possible sensors along a GPS-controlled flight path extending up to 25 miles from its release point. KaZaK’s vehicle will be sized to carry and dispense multiple dropsondes to gather in-situ meteorological and oceanographic data over a widespread region in support of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) activities. KaZaK’s vehicle will greatly increase the ability of patrol aircraft to simultaneously track multiple targets located in various directions from the flight path, and permit the P-3, MMA and other launch platforms to operate at a safe standoff distance from the littoral waters that have become a primary location for potential future ASW conflict. The envisioned system will be launch-compatible with existing and future ASW platforms, and fit the A-size sonobuoy design envelope. The system will communicate via sonobuoy channels 1-99 for compatibility with current and future receivers. KaZaK will work closely with PSI in Phase II to increase effort expended on communications and software interfaces. The proposed program includes considerable wind tunnel testing, with high altitude certification flight testing in the option.