Development of Micro Pulsed Detonation Engine Thruster for Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Enigmatics, Inc. and SAIC propose to develop a new type of propulsion system for application in Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MUAVs). The proposed system is based on thrust generation by an air breathing Micro Pulsed Detonation Engine (MPDE). The engine is an extension of our prior development of a prototype 6 cm in diameter and 12 cm long and will require only a two to threefold scaledown of its dimensions to achieve the proposed size and performance goals. In the Phase I research program it is proposed to prove feasibility of a MPDE system that will provide 0.2 kg of thrust, have less than 0.15 kg dry weight, and have efficiency comparable to a medium size turbojet engine. Concept feasibility will be proven through detailed engine design, design and evaluation of its critical components, and analysis of the performance characteristics of the entire system. The proposed work also includes fabricating and testing engine system elements. Development of the MPDE will extend the range and increase the payload of MUAVs with characteristic size less than 15 cm. It will also open a range of propulsion and power generation applications for similar systems.