Wing and Bomb Bay Launched (WBBL) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV)

The goal of the Acuity Wing and Bomb Bay Launched UAV Phase II program is demonstration of the feasibility and utility of an air vehicle organic to the P3 through development and flight testing of a prototype aircraft. Minimum objectives are runway takeoff, autonomous flight directed by a ground or air based control station through multiple waypoints over a radius of 10 miles or more, live video and buffered still image transmission to the control station, and vector to a landing site with autonomous landing via TCDL compatible datalinks. Nominal objectives are demonstration of the same capabilities when carried aloft externally and launched from a P3 or other aircraft in flight, and control and data communication at ranges up to 150 miles. Additional objectives are integration of UAV control and data presentation functions with a STANAG 4586-compliant MURC-based control station, in conjunction with Defense Technologies Inc, and performance of a representative mission task such as autonomous deployment of one or more sonobuoys. Acuity Technologies will design, build and demonstrate through flight testing a prototype WBBL UAV, designated AT-3.. To the extent practicable, the AT-3 will be designed to facilitate rapid transition to an operational system in the future. The technology development focus for this program is aircraft development and creation of an air system including the execution of a representative mission which demonstrates the feasibility and potential of the organic UAV. New airframe and propulsion technology and interoperability with the P3 and STANAG-compliant control stations are the development foci of this program. Currently available subsystems for the engine, avionics, communications, and control station will be incorporated.