Plasma Assisted Aerodynamic Control System (PAACS) for Munition Maneuvering

Orbital Research Inc. proposes a Plasma Assisted Aerodynamic Control System (PAACS) Technology Demonstration Program to design, develop, and demonstrate plasma flow control actuators and advanced flight control technologies for next generation precision-guided and loitering munitions. The program focuses on the application of Single Dielectric Barrier Discharge ‘plasma actuators’ as solid-state, embedded, flow control devices for agile munition maneuvering. The overall objective is to enhance the range and payload capacity of munitions by utilizing light-weight, compact, plasma actuators for flight control in lieu of traditional, hinged control surfaces that consume significant volume and power for operation. The Phase I program successfully assessed and demonstrated the performance of plasma actuators as leading-edge, trailing-edge and wing-tip flow control devices through wind tunnel experiments. For the Phase II program, Orbital Research will collaborate with the University of Notre Dame and Innovative Technology Applications Company for further computational and experimental development of the proposed PAACS. The Orbital team will work closely with the Munitions Directorate at Eglin AFB, to design and develop the PAACS for long-range, long-loiter, air-delivered munitions such as the Area Dominator Munition. The Phase II program will conduct Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations, wind tunnel experiments and trade studies for PAACS design and sub-system scaling for practical munition applications.