SBIR-STTR Award

A slaved tandem freewing (stf) aircraft is a novel, tandem wing, v/stol air vehicle configuration with unique potential for self launching and self-recovery from bases without flat and even platforms (rough terrain) during periods when wind vectors are gusty, large and aligned in the most adverse direction (wild weather). This study will evaluate the potential of stf airframes to satisfy this rough and wild basing criterion and examine potential modifications of current stf designs to improve the degree to which current configurations satisfy the criterion. The work will include an analysis of the rough and wild basing problem as related to the stf configuration and of the benefits to uav capabilities of its solution, a preliminary design study of selected rough and wild enhancements to stf designs, and a sub-scale flight test evaluation of those enhancements. The expected result is a report summarizing the feasibility of the design objective.

A unique, new VTOL air vehicle (AV) proposed for application to unmanned systems will be demonstrated. The AV is designed around the Slaved Tandem Freewing (STF) technology, is designated the STF-9d/e, and is scaled for the short Range (UV-SR) and Close Range (UAV-CR) missions articulated by the DoD Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Project Office (JPO). Existing powerplants, data links and avionics will be used - only the airframe is being demonstrated. The demonstration will focus on VTOL Launch and Recovery (L/R) operations (ultimately aboard ship) without the use of supporting ground-based (catapults, nets, etc.) or vehicle-installed (boosters, parafoil, etc.) equipment. One (optionally two) AV(s) will be fabricated and tested for a pre-demonstration on land; refitting the vehicle for sea trials and conducting the demonstration at sea is an option. Anticipated Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications - STF-9 technology Air Vehicles are uniquely suited to UAV systems; they permit operators to escape the footprint and eliminate the costs of special launch and recovery equipment (catapults, nets, etc.).