PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: Physical Sciences Inc. and the West Virginia University propose to develop an i

Description

ABSTRACT: Physical Sciences Inc. and the West Virginia University propose to develop an innovative Tactical Sustainment and Sensor Deployment (TSSD) system for the covert delivery of up to 45 lbs of supplies or ground sensors. This system can glide over 45 miles after deployment from a wide variety of aircraft in current US Air Force inventory. The proposed 20 pound payload TSSD system is designed for a high degree of flight performance, low cost and ease of deployment. The stowed vehicle"s outer mold line (OML), rigidity and vibration characteristics are designed to mimic that of the GBU-39 small diameter bomb. Because our system is designed to be able to be used on any platform that can deploy a GBU-39 it opens a wide variety of deployment options including internal stowage on the F-35 and F-22 and flight clearance on the Predator UAV. The system"s max loaded weight of 62 lbs makes it able to be handled without specialized ground equipment. TSSD uses a variety of modular payload canisters including a sensor deployment module. The aerodynamics and deployment mechanisms can be scaled to a 500 pound vehicle which would have many configuration and size characteristic similar with the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) BENEFIT: The Tactical Sustainment and Sensor Deployment (TSSD) system concept represents a revolutionary new approach to the resupply of small covert units and the long range covert insertion of ground sensors. The development of this system will enable the resupply of units operating in high threat areas and the rapid airborne clandestine deployment of sensing devices to many environments including high mountains and the marine environment. This concept is revolutionary because it can operate from many aircraft types and can precisely deliver a payload through all weather conditions. This system can take advantage of the specific operational environment in order to get access to difficult to reach targets. In it"s current form, this system could be used to resupply forest fire fighters in hostile environment or mountain rescue personnel. This technology can also be scaled up to provide significant amounts of supplies to military or disaster relief personnel.