Feasibility of Scaling Up and Integrating a Propulsion System to the Commercial Silent Arrow« Cargo Delivery UAS to meet AFSOC Requirements of 300nm Range Carrying 1,000 lbs. Payload

The objective of this project is to rapidly research the feasibility of scaling up the current commercially successful Silent Arrow« GD-2000 (ōGlider / Disposable / 2,000 lbs.ö) platform and adding an inexpensive internal combustion propulsion unit for extended standoff range specifically adapted for USAF and AFSOC mission requirements called the Silent Arrow CLS-300 (Contested Logistics System / 300nm).Ā This affordable and attritable next generation, autonomous logistics platform will feature a larger, purpose-designed airframe with a newly integrated propulsion system capable of extending the range of the current glider-only Silent Arrow by a factor of 8.5X (35nm current glide standoff increasing to 300nm powered standoff range while carrying a 1,000-pound payload). The objective will be accomplished in this Phase I project by conducting aerodynamic and trade off analysis of the proposed airframe design through digital modeling, developing a complete set of performance specifications in partnership with the AFSOC Customer and Special Operations End-User, developing a drawing package and constructing an engine test stand and propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU), acquiring a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) internal combustion engine (inexpensive, non-aerospace) and propeller and conducting thrust and endurance testing of the proposed propulsion unit on a static test stand.Ā The results of this Phase I development and testing directly support a Phase II SBIR, under which flying, full-scale test articles would be built and flown to validate the payload and range performance via airdrop in the INDOPACIFIC AOR for the End-User, the 353rd Special Operations Wing.