Autonomous Air Vehicle for Remote Standoff Sensor Deployment Capable of Using Sonobuoy Launchers

Dara Aviation and subcontractor ILC Dover propose to draw upon their combined expertise in manufacturing small UAV platforms and inflatable wings to develop an integrated air platform for low-observable, remote standoff deployment of sensors. In its stowed configuration, the integrated air platform (dubbed the "Monarch") and sensor package would have the same envelope as a standard A-size sonobuoy, and could be deployed from any existing A-size sonobuoy launcher, such as the launchers installed on many P-3 Orion aircraft and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. After deployment, the Monarch would sprout inflatable wings and a folding horizontal tail. It would navigate autonomously to its target location, primarily gliding but also relying on a small motor. The Monarch could be used for standoff deployment of standard F, G, or A/2-size sonobuoies, or standoff deployment of other self-contained canisters of the same size carrying other types of sensors. The Monarch would not need to be deployed from sonobuoy launchers either - it could be mounted to the underside of an aircraft or UAV wing and air dropped. By employing an inflatable wing and small motor, the Monarch would autonomously carry a sonobuoy or other sensor suite up to 50 miles away with low observability.