8) UAV Weapons Integration Challenges vs. Traditional Fast Jet

UAV Weapons Integration
Challenges vs Traditional Fast Jet
2nd June 2015
Colin Gambrill, Chief Engineer
Compiled by: Lee Parnell, Senior Project Engineer
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Agenda
> Prior Experience/Requirements on Manned Aircraft
(Where we’ve been)
> Current Issues with UAV Integration
(Where we are)
> Future Development Paths
(Where we’re going)
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A brief on the history of development of stores release
PRIOR EXPERIENCE / REQUIREMENTS
ON MANNED AIRCRAFT
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Manned Aircraft
In the Beginning
– ‘Man in the loop’ targeting
– Guaranteed to launch when
commanded
• Providing its not too cold
– Primitive weapon safety
– Multiple carriage somewhat tricky
– Safety has always been
A crew member of a British SS 'Z'
Class airship about to throw a
bomb from the rear cockpit of the
gondola.
paramount
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The last 100 years in 60 seconds
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Current Fast Jet Interfaces
(Typhoon with EPWII(UK))
Arming Shearwire
Rear Lug
LEFA
Wing Release
Shearwire
MIL-STD-1760 MSI
FRCS Umbilical
Offshot
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- Front Shearwire to Thermal Battery
- Forward lug
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Manned Aircraft
In the Beginning
– So, fast jets require:
• Two lugs (for all but practice bombs)
• Dumb bombs need a host of shearwires, LEFA, mechanical arming
switches
• Smart bombs need:
– Communication umbilical with a quick release connector
– At least two arming methods, one of which is the 1760 cable
– Early smart bombs may still need some legacy interfaces
• Rails are easier but still require an electrical connector and
mechanical lugs.
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A brief on the development of stores release on UAVs
CURRENT PROGRESS / ISSUES
WITH UAV WEAPON INTEGRATION
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UAV Weapon Integration
In the beginning
– Ignoring WWII parasite bombers, first examples of armed UAV are:
– Teledyne Ryan AQM-34 Firebee
– General Atomic MQ-1 Predator
• Armed with AGM-64 Maverick
• Armed with AGM-114 Hellfire
Forty Years apart and both integrated a rail launched Air To Ground Weapon – why?
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UAV Weapon Integration
In the beginning
– Rails are relatively light
– Rails are relatively simple
• Connector to store built in
• Relatively simple interface to aircraft
• All store interfaces built into rail
– Weapons are relatively good ‘bang to weight’ and don’t require fancy
bombing computers or manoeuvers for accuracy
– But rails are limited. Unpowered stores not compatible.
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UAV Weapon Integration
Platform Requirements
– Medium Altitude Long Endurance - MALE and smaller introduce unique
challenges
• Weight is critical. Heavy equipment = less endurance
– 20kg ‘light’ pyro rack too heavy for 200kg Tactical UAV
– Don’t need gas ejection, but do need something more than gravity
• Size is critical. Big ERU = big cross section = less endurance.
• Stores are small…
– 10kg ‘Micro-bomb’ to minimize endurance impact
• Endurance is king
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UAV Weapon Integration
Platform Requirements
– If store weighs 10kg and only dropped under gravity with minimal
assist:
• Then 90kg disconnect force for 1760 connector won’t work
– Plus even Size 17 JMMI Connector ‘bulky’ on store and airframe.
• Then 90kg shear force for shearwire won’t work
– Even 15kg shearwires ‘too much’
• Even 100lb class lugs are bulky
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Concepts in development
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PATHS
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Stores
– Micro munitions (<50lbs)
Thales
Rocketsan
Raytheon
Textron
– Concept carrier
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Release Units
Challenges:
• Dual lugs or Single lugs
• Ejection force
• Small foldable lugs –
Standard
• Low force arming process
• Electrical interface
standardisation
• Bolt on Hardback
interface plate
• Small connector
• Enhanced ejection
Gnat
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Hornet
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Future Concepts
Internal Carriage of Small Weapons
For future UCAV
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UAV Weapons Integration Challenges vs
Traditional Fast Jet
Thank you for listening
Questions?
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