Integrated Aerostat Payload Protection System

Aerostats are widely used to carry ISR and communications equipment for long durations in a cost effective and reliable manner. However, because aerostats are extremely weight sensitive and are vulnerable to severe weather events, there is a need to protect the sensitive payload equipment from damage upon impact with the ground. The Army estimates that annual losses from damage to aerostat payloads equals $10 million. The objective of this Phase I project is to develop an Aerostat Payload Protection (APP) system with the potential to minimize or eliminate damage to an aerostat payload upon activation of the aerostat’s flight termination system. Leveraging the proposer’s prior aerostat development experience concepts will be considered that a) minimize the impact velocity and b) absorb or divert impact energy to minimize energy transfer into the payload upon impact. While several preliminary concepts have been identified, the proposed work includes a structured ideation process to identify novel concepts for the APP. Following a trade study and feasibility analysis of all design concepts, three candidate concepts will be selected for further high-level design and analysis. A final design concept will be selected for further development and testing in Phase II.