A system utilizing the free-wing concept has been designed for light and very light wing-loading aircraft that accommodates moderate to heavy turbulence without transmitting high gust loadings to the airframe or threatening loss of control. the project will test the system in a research vehicle… More

A slaved tandem freewing (stf) aircraft is a novel, tandem wing, v/stol air vehicle configuration with unique potential for selflaunching 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… More

Contractor will examine the feasibility of utilizing its piezoceramic chips as actuators for variable twist propellers in uav applications. these actuators will be utilized to optimize the twist of ribstiffened elastomeric propeller blades on a blade-element-by-bladeelement basis so that each… More

Contractor will examine the feasibility of utilizing its existing, but experimental leading-edge protection system to provide erosion resistance for inexpensive uav propellers. the existing system utilizes elastomeric urethanes configured to take advantage of the principles of thick coating theory.… More

Contractor will examine the feasibility of hybrid powerplants in small v/stol air vehicles that combine internal cowbustion (ic) enginesand pulsed power electrical augmentation machines. the ic engines will he sized to weet the average power needs of the wdssion while theelectrical nachine will neet… More

Contractor will examine the feasibility of utilizing pultrusion-type continuous tape laying manufacturing equipment to fabricate composite sandwich structure wings and stabilizers for close range and short range class unmanned aerial vehicles. during phase i a small proof-of-concept manufacturing… More

A novel approach to the propulsion of very small, micro air vehicles is proposed in which electrostatic forces acting between an ion gas cloud and an appropriate anode are harnessed for thrust or lift. A means is proposed for the generation and maintenance of the ion gas from ambient air and for… More