Low Cost, High Altitude, Unmanned Sensor Platform

Worldwide Aeros Corp. will utilize the SBIR Phase I funding to complete a preliminary design for a reusable, low cost high altitude (up to 80,000 feet) unmanned airship sensor platform with a long operational life cycle based on Aeros' established airshiptechnologies. The phase I preliminary design will demonstrate that COTS airship components and technology can be utilized to develop a cost effective platform contemplated for Phase II development with a manufacturing cost not exceeding $1,900,000. Theproposal will identify suitable sensor payloads that can be integrated to the platform to fulfill the MDA's primary mission objective of observing and recording boost phase ballistic missile launches. Such missions will further the understanding of boostphase launches, enabling the design of detection and intercept methods that will directly contribute to the defense of the United States, its troops and allies. Phase I will be accomplished in house, utilizing design tools and tests that have been proventhrough Aeros' previous projects including the FAA certification of its Aeros 40B airship, and prototype stratospheric airship production. The Phase II prototype platform will demonstrate the performance and mission operational expectancy of the airship.Aeros has the facilities, equipment and human resources to accomplish the development with the highest degree of confidence for success at meeting MDA's mandate for this SBIR program. Beyond the immediate benefits of boost phase missile observance, it isanticipated that the unmanned sensor platform will have implication in other areas of military and para-military services. Any application that calls for high altitude, over the horizon surveillance will be an applicable candidate for the unmanned sensorplatform. The platform payload will be versatile enough to allow it to carry communication, reconnaissance mission equipment, or air monitoring packages that could give an early warning against chemical, nuclear and biological releases by an enemy; as wellas any other payloads in the weight range.The future civilian and non military government markets can be exploited as the platform is proven and the FAA sets the rules that will govern future UAVs.