Low Cost Actuators for Precision Guided Steerable Parachutes/Parafoils

"A number of precision-guided aerial delivery systems are in development or advanced prototype stages, in accordance with Army Science and Technology (S&T) objectives. The actuator subsystems are a major cost element in each of these systems, in somecases, the largest cost element. The actuator subsystem, consisting of an energy source, controlling elements (e.g. switches, valves), and the actuators, is also a major fraction of the suspended weight, reducing payload fraction. Improvements are neededin weight and cost for both types of aerial delivery systems: medium-glide, such as GPADS-L, which use trailing edge control lines for steering and flare; and low-glide, such as AGAS, which use riser slip control to glide on command. The proposed researchwill investigate two innovative concepts: high energy-density pneumatic sources to pair with existing high power/weight pneumatic actuators, and an innovative zero-or low-power actuator for low-glide systems and for parafoil flare. (Separating the flarefunction from parafoil steering actuators greatly reduces their power requirement, which reduces weight and cost.) In each case, the weight, performance and cost of the innovative designs will be compared with high-performance electro-mechanical devicesas a measure of benefit, and, therefore, system level feasibility. Precision-guided aerial delivery systems are available, but are not affordable for most cargo delivery applications. Th