Small, Rugged Internal Combustion Engine

The Department of Defense has a growing interest in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide over-the-horizon surveillance, detection, classification and destruction of time-critical surface targets. Forward Area Support Munition (FASM), a Navy ATD program approved for FY99 start, is a 5-inch gun-launched projectile that transforms into a propeller propelled UAV. A future engine for the system must sustain 9000 g gun launch, generate 4 Bhp, integrate into a 5-inch diameter-18-inch long cavity, and reliably start and function using a heavy low vulnerability fuel such as JP-5. To meet these requirements, Veritay proposes a compact uniquely configured 2-stroke cycle-2 cylinder cluster engine concept that exhibits inherent acceleration hardening characteristics and many other beneficial features. The proposed Phase I effort includes conceptual engine design to meet system requirements, experimental demonstration of a heavy fuel operating concept using a modified conventional engine, and analysis to show the ability of the engine design to survive a high-g gun launch. Detailed engine and control component design will occur during the Phase I optional program to permit fabrication and test early in Phase II.