SMUGGLER SYSTEM SPIRAL DEVELOPMENT

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) seeks to develop a small UAV system capable of air-launching from a cargo bay, door, or ramp and executing a specific mission. Piasecki Aircraft proposes further development of an existing system which will allow delivery of cargo payloads of up to 25 pounds via an air-launched autonomous glider UAV. The system requires no additional hardware for launching and can be pre-programmed with a specific mission by the aircrew prior to departure from the host aircraft. The proposed system would allow payloads and cargo for personnel resupply missions to be delivered from a much larger standoff range than standard air drop capabilities, thus keeping air crews out of areas deemed hostile for manned operations and out of harm’s way. The proposed effort includes extending the capabilities of the existing system in terms of performance, user-interface, manufacturability, and unit cost reduction. The proposed effort takes a collaborative approach to the development cycle, incorporating user feedback from a series of test cycles in parallel to production and performance improvements. The improved penetration capability and low detectability of the proposed glider system provides an advantage to the warfighter in personnel resupply missions.