Sonobuoy Tube Launched UAV

Expendable, sonobuoy tube-launched unmanned aerial vehicles employing a variety of sensor systems are recognized as providing an economical means to enhance P-3 aircraft operations and assure crew safety. The proposed phase I program develops a preliminary design for a tube-launched vehicle by optimizing the system design parameters along optimized trajectories that are developed for a representative set of mission scenarios. The high performance design is then balanced using requirements for reliability and affordability through a formal cost-benefit analysis to obtain the best overall design. The deployment strategy depends directly from existing sonobuoy technology in order to minimize the cost of introduction and qualification on the P-3. The system employs advanced technology for real-time optimal path planning to produce maximum flight performance, and employs neural network adaptive guidance and control to largely eliminate dependence on high fidelity aerodynamic modeling, wind tunnel testing, gain scheduling, and a costly flight validation program for the controller. The adaptive system also enables a true plug and play capability for interchangeable payload modules. Design for low-cost manufacturing is addressed from the outset. The phase II program provides for detailed design and fabrication, testing, and initial operational demonstration from a P-3 in partnership with the sponsor.