Advanced Neurocontrol Methods for a Remotely Piloted Vehicle

During Phase I we will advance and develop innovative Adaptive Critic based neural network control methodologies specifically for a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) based upon the aerodynamics of the National AeroSpace Plane (NASP). Phase II will involve the actual implementation which will prove these neurocontrol concepts. This work will be the first step in creating the complex aerocontroller for the ultimate aircraft in the LoFlyte Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV) program series. These methodologies are being developed under an existing Phase II SBIR with the NASP JPO. This Phase I SBIR will allow us to prove these neurocontrol techniques. To realize our long term goal of flying a hypersonic UAV, Accurate Automation has teamed with Lockheed Fort Worth and Mississippi State University. Drawing upon our research experience with the NASP project, we have initiated an innovative R&D program. This program will be three stage, beginning with a Mach 0.5 RPV based on NASP aerodynamics and culminating in a hypersonic UAV. Years of research have gone into optimizing the NASP aerodynamics for high speeds. If we can prove these aerodynamics at low speeds and lay the foundations for the required technologies, we will have taken a giant step towards the goal of cost effective hypersonic flight. The LoFlyte program will open the door to applications of the resultant hypersonic UAV technologies and ultimately make hypersonic RPVs and UAVs commercially viable and an important asset to the national defense strategy.