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

We propose to design an uninhabited aerial vehicle capable of being launched from the bomb bay or wing pylon of a P3 or other aircraft capable of carrying 500 pound stores. It would cruise at 60 to 85 knots with 10 hour endurance and 100 pound payload capacity. The design may be scaled up or down as required. We also propose to build a half scale flying prototype model using the design and construction techniques planned for the full scale UAV, and to flight test and wind tunnel test it in phase 1 and the phase 1 option. The WBBL UAV has a folding wing design in which the wings sweep back over the fuselage. The variable sweep also enables flight in wide speed range, allowing launch and rapid descending insertion into an area at up to 250 knots. Propulsion is via a ducted fan in a pusher configuration which provides a clear omnidirectional view for forward and downward looking sensors. Retractable landing gear may be fitted to enable recovery on a runway, land based testing, and other mission profiles. The form factor and aerodynamics of the stored configuration are similar to conventional P3 stores.