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

The Navy requires a way to assist the P-3 Community in fulfilling the objectives of a diverse set of missions. DTI and the Navy understands that a Wing and/or Bomb-Bay Launched (WBBL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is the solution. This concept would be useful, in many different scenarios, where interchangeable payloads are controlled by P-3 crewmembers. This concept would allow the P-3 aircraft and crew to remain at a safe altitude and range while successfully gathering sensor information and fulfilling the mission. The creation of this UAV, with its interchangeable payloads, would make it possible for it to be used on all P-3 aircraft due to the standardized bomb racks. Currently available sensors can fulfill these requirements, but there is currently no vehicle available that can be launched from either Wing or Bomb Bay. In Phase I of this SBIR, DTI and their Team will develop a design approach that will meet all requirements for a Wing and Bomb Bay Launched (WBBL) UAV. In Phase II and III the DTI Team will develop and produce a UAV capable of being launched from a Navy P-3 Aircraft, and will be fully functioning semi-autonomous sensor platform.