ATEI has a depth of experience (and capabilities) in a wide range of key areas of RF systems, sensors and Communication and airborne ISR/Strike vehicle, systems and subsystems. The overarching technical objective of our development work is to develop transformative technologies and highly optimized systems engineering solutions that result in at least an order of magnitude reduction in cost, size, weight, and power (CSWaP) over contemporary technologies while providing new and advanced technology, capabilities, and enhanced performance. Additionally, ATEI leverages its experience and capabilities and provides engineering products and services in strategic planning for technology programs/activities (SIN 871-1); concept development & requirements analysis (SIN 871-2); system design, engineering & integration (SIN 971-3); and test & evaluation (SIN 871-4) to the government and other small and large defence and commercial contractors. The following provides a brief cross-section of selected product development and services.
DARPA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) "Highly Integrated Si Based RF Electronics" with MIMO Radar and Communication Applications
The technical objective of our Phase II work is to develop disruptive and transformative technologies and techniques that result in new or advanced capabilities, enhanced performance, and at least and at least 10x reduction in cost, size, weight, and power (CSwaP) of silicon-based RF electronic over contemporary type III-V technologies for emerging MIMO radar, Wideband AESA radars, Communication and other RF sensor applications.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Integrated Topside (InTop) Science & Technology IDIQ Project
ATEI has been contracted through the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to support ONR's in top Science and Technology IDIQ Contract; The Integrated Topside (InTop) Science and Technology program was established by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop and demonstrate common Radio Frequency (RF) apertures and supporting subsystems capable of performing multiple functions (Electronic Attack, Information Operations, and LOS Communications) to support multiple warfare areas. The Navy wants to increase the warfighting capability while reducing the number of single-function RF systems required on Navy ships and submarines.
The Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), and Line of Sight Communications (LOS Comms) multifunction system will exploit the synergy between these three functions to maximize the efficiency of the common elements under a single resource allocation manager (RAM) and over that portion of the spectrum where the requirements and capabilities for Onboard EW, IO and LOS Comms overlap. ATEI is recognized as providing subject matter expertise in Radar, RF Communications, Information Operations, and Electronics Attack, including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) based systems & technology. ATEI presently serves in a technical advisory role on the ONR/NRL InTop programs providing subject matter expertise and systems engineering support in the area of Navy Communication Systems, which encompasses CONOPS, research, concepts, architecture, design, analyses, simulation, requirements, modelling, simulation, development, integration and testing.
ATEI has a breadth of experience and unique expertise working across all tiers of small unmanned aerial (UAS) and remotely piloted aircraft (UAS/RPA) systems. ATEI has direct development experience and has provided system engineering services and solutions to the DoD and prime contractors in the following technical areas: Data-link system concepts & trades; LOS communications and BLOS (Satellite and UAS/RPA relay) communication architecture including command and control (C2), Sensor Data, and Remote data links; Ground and Shipboard Control System (GCS)/Ground Data Terminal (GDT) communications and network architecture including command and control (C2) and sensor links; Datalink component design and or selection (PA, LNA, circulator, diplexer, antenna, filters, modems, cable assemblies, etc.) and installation requirements; UAS/RPA/platform and antennas EM modeling and simulation; UAS/RPA/platform and antenna gain/coverage analyses; UAS/RPA and GCS co-site interference analyses and mitigation; Frequency and data bandwidth management; Secure communication Architecture; RF payload selection & integration (e.g. Radar, SIGINT, IO, etc.); RF Sensor selection & integration (AIS, IFFI, IFFT, GPS, etc.). Services also consisted of proposal analysis and writing, developing operational CONOPS, mission CONOPS, system views (SVs), system/subsystem requirements analysis, RF performance analysis, participate in design review, and in IPT meetings. The following hyperlinks provide a brief sample of work performed on a Tier II UAS.
Propagation Video
ATEI has developed an electric powerplant UAS, based on the Wilga 35 large scale RC aircraft, named the Mission Avionics and Test Platform (MATP). The MATP acts as a surrogate airframe for prototype UAS/RPA early in the prototype design process to ensure ATEI has quick access to flight operations by using a proven and robust airframe. ATEI currently has a Technician and UAS/RPA Test Pilot available to integrate and fly the MATP. Its role is similar to the Calspan Flight Research C-131 Total InFlight Simulator (TIFS), to emulate the platform of interest. MATP acts as an interim airframe testbed to carry experimental autopilots, propulsion systems, payloads, communications and stores such as other small UAS, weapons or delivery pods aloft. In addition, MATP provides the customer access to tasking in fabricating, flight operations and prep work, as well as airframe modifications, early in the design cycle.
ATEI has conducted studies to increase overall airframe endurance by adding a wing plug kit that increases the wingspan, this aspect ratio, and total electrical battery mass onboard. This increases the trimmed glide ratio as well as total energy available onboard the Small UAS airframe. The goal of the kit is to fit within the logistics footprint and power budget of the existing UAS, as well as a modular kit that can be delivered to the customer site to quickly increase the Small UAS time aloft, without needed air vehicle redesign.
As a response to needed increased endurance and impact protection for a high-value Tactical UAS payload, ATEI has developed a concept demonstrator design called LONG COVER. There are key enablers that increase the time aloft of the LONG COVER, as compared to similar airframes. A novel, low TSFC, high propeller diameter, centerline mounted, the turbine-driven powerplant is used, as well as an outrigger-style, multiple body layout. The canard/outrigger configuration provides two forward-looking sensor bays while protecting a centerline payload bay for high-value payloads. Due to the mass distributed nature of three bodies, inertia relief allows the overall lifting wing weights to be reduced because the maximum bending loads at the wing roots are minimized. A canard configuration allows the airframe to trim in pitch while contributing to the overall airframe lift, thus adding to the trimmed glide ratio of the vehicle. Because it's supported by the aft portions of the outrigger bodies, the wing is forward-swept, thus reducing the outflow of upper surface airflow from the wing, which contributes to wingtip vortices, reducing induced drag. A large vertical stabilizer with a variable-length tail boom allows the airframe to trim adverse yaw seen from long moment arm aileron deflection on the outboard wing panels, similar to tails of duration gliders.
ATEI is investing in an RF/IR low observable, pulsejet powered, blended wing body UAS called SPANLOADER. A configuration has been established based on a review and compilation of existing requirements, from several sources, for high survivability, ISR/strike penetration platform for heavily defended airspace. SPANLOADER uses technologies in RF and IR low observable through shaping, material selection, jet plume exhaust masking and mission tactics, as well as the integration of a novel pulsejet propulsion technology. Trade studies have also been completed that include wing area sizing, NLF airfoil selection, aerodynamic and geometric twist, launch and recovery methods and ISR/strike payload integration. A CAD model has been in-work, and several system syntheses and sizing cycles have been completed using vortex lattice codes and flight simulation.
ATEI has performed a performance capability study of three conceptual airframes: medium-altitude turboprop, low speed and altitude turbofan and high speed and altitude turbofan configuration. The study analyzes each configuration's sensitivity of time on station as a function of transit speed and mission radius for a given payload weight and power draw. The results of this study are to inform decision-making for a particular system to use for extended coverage of a wide area.
ATEI has performed various trade and sensitivity studies - including aerodynamic heating from stagnation temperatures on surfaces, aircraft performance bank angles driven by winds aloft and aircraft heading, determining which aircraft parameters make the greatest impact on endurance for a piston-powered propeller aircraft and UAS launch and recovery methods with weighted criteria.
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