Griffin: A Sonobuoy Tube Launched Low Cost Expendable UAV

This proposal is for the development of a Sonobuoy Tube Launched, Low Cost, and Expendable UAV called Griffin. Paragon Space Development Corp. (Paragon) and the Technology Development Research Institute (TDRI) have formed a uniquely capable team with demonstrated experience building and flying UAVs that meet the Sonobuoy Tube Launched UAV performance requirements described in the STTR topic. The proposed UAV will use the existing small UAV platforms, technology and engineering expertise held by Paragon and TDRI to address all significant technical risk in Phase I. This proposal is not for design concept studies. The team will develop mechanical solutions to the flight deployment in Phase I basic and perform flight test demonstrations in the Phase I Option. A low temperature high strength rapid injection molding technique is used with proprietary crosslinking polymer materials to mass-produce the Griffin. Tailored digital electronics packages are encapsulated within the injection molded material for a rapid low cost production technique that eliminates hand mounting of components, while providing shock protection during the sonobuoy tube launch. An innovative energy management and wing deployment technique optimizes the UAVs performance in transit and loiter flight modes.