Delivering an Alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) Capability with A Novel Concept High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)

Developing a novel concept solar-powered High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), which delivers better Alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (APNT) capabilities than satellites. Persistent operations within the stratosphere are a fraction of the cost of satellites, and HAPS are 30X-50X closer which significantly reduces latency and delivers a more powerful signal which is resilient and robust to signal jamming and spoofing. Other HAPS attempts cannot attain the goal with existing battery and solar cell technologies. They are limited to small payloads, do not provide suitable wind robustness, and only operate within short windows during summer months (ideal solar conditions). This research considers a unique aerial architecture, named the Tethered Uni-Rotor Network (TURN), which is a low-power aircraft that uses system rotation to solve the engineering problem ubiquitous to high aspect ratio fixed-wing platforms. This permits high-camber thin-thickness airfoils that attain lift-to-drag ratios 3X greater than standard airfoils; and unlike traditional fixed-wing aircraft, the TURN system is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). Combining larger payload masses, year-round operations, increased operational area at higher latitudes, and VTOL/hover capabilities, TURN offers numerous advantages to both the DoD and the commercial industry. Prior research has already addressed the most unique features of the TURN design. Devorto is partnering with CACI to deploy their SPOTS-APNT payload solution persistently within the stratosphere. This proposed SBIR research pursues the next milestone within TURNĺs spiral development process: integrating solar cells and pursuing stratospheric operations to demonstrate CACIĺs APNT payload capabilities.