Stable Launch and Recovery Platform (SLARP)

SatCon proposes a stable platform module for the launch and recovery of UAVs from the decks of Navy Ships. This platform will accommodate large amplitude motions in roll, pitch and heave enabling wide spread use of UAV systems on smaller Navy ships over a wide range of sea sates and vessel speeds. The platform will utilize an innovative folding actuator system that allows large vertical displacements while providing for a low profile installation without intruding below the deck. The fully electric actuator system will require very little maintenance reducing operating cost and manning requirements. In Phase I we will assess launch and recovery requirements for a variety of UAV/UAS, deck motion characteristics of Navy and commercial ships and determine requirements for platform size, amplitudes of actuator motion, and necessary control bandwidths. Also in Phase one a preliminary design of the prototype Stable Platform Module will be generated. Detailed structural analysis and dynamic simulations will be performed in a Phase I option. A full-scale prototype will build and evaluated in the subsequent Phase II program.