|
News Subject:
|
Five new SBIR success stories now appear within the Electronic Library (see Innovation and Transition success story folders).
Farr Research, Inc., located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, developed a Microwave Pulse Compressor (MPC) system, which is a method of concentrating and amplifying the power of a microwave pulse by reducing its duration. The compressed pulse has a higher peak power and smaller pulse width than the original pulse from the magnetron, successfully emulating a much higher power source. The system will be used to test the response of electronic systems to microwaves. The AFRL Directed Energy Directorate manages this SBIR project.
HYTEC, Inc., located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, responded to an Air Force SBIR requirement for a bonded warhead fragment concept that has desired penetration and other weapons effects, such as high energy release and pyrophoricity. HYTEC selected Tantalum (Ta) for high density and penetration ability, Zirconium (Zr) for pyrophoricity/weapons effects, and Niobium (Nb) to bridge between the Ta and Zr – an "interlayer." The ability to routinely produce, at low cost and in high volume. weapon subsystems which have high penetrability and high energy release could readily complement new weapon designs. This SBIR project is managed by the AFRL Munitions Directorate.
Lite Machines Corporation, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, worked on an Air Force SBIR project focused on obtaining enabling technologies to develop and design a micro air platform for Bomb Impact Assessment (BIA) and reconnaissance in a cluttered urban environment. Lite Machines developed the electric powered Voyeur unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for BIA use. Voyeur's coaxial rotor system allows the UAV to hover and maneuver in the same way as a helicopter. The AFRL Munitions Directorate manages this SBIR project.
Space Micro Inc., located in San Diego, California, developed the Proton200k™ Command, Power, and Data Handling (P200k CP&DH) system, which is a highly modular, radiation hardened avionics suite that can provide central power distribution and payload management functions. The primary purpose of Space Micro’s P200k CP&DH avionics suite is to support a flight mission incorporating a target simulation payload that will transmit data where errors are unacceptable. Due to its modularity, small size, low power consumption, and radiation hardness, it is ideal for the growing number of nano, micro, and small satellite systems that have very specific mission needs. This SBIR project is managed by the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate.
Variation Reduction Solutions, Inc. (VRSI), located in Plymouth, Michigan, teamed with other companies to design, build, and demonstrate a production prototype Inlet Duct Robotic Drilling (IDRD) cell that was able to robotically drill an F-35 Carrier Variant (CV) left hand inlet duct. As a direct result of the work accomplished creating the inlet duct drilling cell, the Air Force Research Laboratory's Manufacturing Technology Division and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) have started two Phase III SBIR spin-offs from this technology. Three F-35 Inlet Duct Robotic Drilling (IDRD) cells are being transitioned to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program. The AFRL Materials & Manufacturing Directorate manages this SBIR project.
|