Precision Cargo Airdrop Methods for High and Low Altitudes

This proposal presents a plan to advance precision cargo airdrop technology. This plan has been based on an examination of the state-of-the-art as it is currently evolving in operations such as Bosnia. This information has been used to identify needs and requirements to be addressed with advanced delivery concepts. A driving consideration is higher aerodynamic efficiency (higher L/D). This in turn indicates increased aspect ratio and reduced drag. These motivate increased structural stiffness and better integration of the load with the aerodynamic structure. The range of existing alternate concepts, including flexible wings and unique rotary wing designs, are surveyed to identify potential approaches. Several proprietary STI-developed concepts are presented which demonstrate the significant potential for improved performance, treatment of specific limitations of existing concepts, and the proposed development approach. It is demonstrated that improved air drop precision will cause aerodynamic stability and control, coupled with onboard navigation and guidance system requirements, to become major design drivers. The approach to the overall project emphasizes a design process based on mission-oriented requirements incorporated into an operational model of airdrop missions. Greater mission-dependent variation in confirgurations, driven by factors such as the spectrum of payload unit size, is anticipated as overall system performance is improved.