Atair Aerospace proposes to further develop and enhance the capabilities of the 75# ONYX System achieved in the Phase I effort. The primary Phase II objectives of this project are to develop and integrate wireless Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network capabilities into the ONYX System and develop advanced P2P software functions that will manage multiple guided systems (either in the plane, in the air, or on the ground) to set coordinates, receive telemetry, override control and allow for autonomous collision avoidance or formation flying, from a single portable computer system. In addition, a comprehensive drop test study will be to provide a detailed map of the system's performance regarding payload weights. Drag and balance of practical cargo within the system's weight range will be analyzed and collected data used to generate a user manual of operational limits and rigging guidelines for objects being dropped with the ONYX System. Autonomous fleets of deployable high altitude precision aerial delivery systems are of indispensable value to the military. Essential strategic value lies in military supply efforts. Due to the proliferation of low cost surface to air missiles, high altitude airdrop techniques greatly reduce aircraft and ground troop vulnerability. Such capabilities are also needed for the quick and efficient distribution of humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Specialized commercial delivery is an additional commercial application for these systems. Possible uses include the ability to land and recover equipment used in stratospheric launches. Such balloon and rocket launches are fundamental in testing new satellites and high altitude equipment. Current systems use parachute recovery from high altitudes that lack any guidance for precision return causing frequent, costly, equipment and data loss.
Keywords: AUTONOMOUS GUIDED AERIAL DELIVERY, PRECISION AIRDROP, GUIDED PARA-FOIL, GUIDED PARACHUTES, COLLISION AVOIDANCE, PEER TO PEER (P2P) NETWORKING, GUIDANCe
