TYR Tactical

USAF Awards LIFT Airborne Landmark Contract

November 9th, 2026

LIFT Airborne Technologies Awarded Landmark U.S. Air Force Contract with $83.4 Million Ceiling for AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet

10-year contract supporting up to 16,000 helmet systems establishes LIFT as the new technology leader in military aviation helmet systems, setting a new standard for aircrew protection, performance, and next-generation technology integration.

CARSON CITY, NV — November 6, 2026 — LIFT Airborne Technologies (LIFT), a U.S.-based innovator in advanced aviation protective equipment, today announced that it has been awarded a landmark 10-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the United States Air Force (USAF) for its AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) system.

With a maximum contract ceiling of $83.4 million and an anticipated procurement scope of up to 16,000 helmet systems, the award represents a defining milestone for LIFT and one of the company’s most significant achievements to date. The selection signals a new era in military aviation helmet technology, positioning LIFT at the forefront of the industry and establishing a new benchmark for the protection, performance, and innovation today’s warfighter deserves. Awarded through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the contract encompasses delta development, qualification, production, and fielding of next-generation fixed-wing helmets for various U.S. Air Force mission defense aircraft. The award resulted from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III follow-on acquisition, reflecting the progression of LIFT’s innovative helmet technology into a major defense procurement program.

“This contract award represents a transformational milestone for LIFT Airborne Technologies and validates our vision of bringing a new generation of innovation to military aviation,” said Guido Rietdyk, Chief Executive Officer of LIFT Airborne Technologies. “We entered this market with a clear objective: to challenge the status quo and develop a helmet system that delivers meaningful advancements in protection, performance, and adaptability. Being selected by the United States Air Force is a tremendous honor and reflects the dedication of our team to engineering products that meet the demanding requirements of today’s military aircrew. This award signals a changing of the guard in military aviation helmet technology, with LIFT establishing a new standard for innovation, protection, and performance.”

Redefining Performance and Protection for the Modern Warfighter

At the center of the contract award is LIFT’s AV2.2 helmet system, developed to address the evolving operational requirements of modern fixed-wing military aviation.

The AV2.2 distinguishes itself through advanced engineering, optimized mass properties, enhanced ventilation, superior impact protection, and a modular architecture designed to accommodate emerging mission technologies.

Most notably, LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the first and only helmet system in the world to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 Knots Equivalent Airspeed (KEAS) sled-test specification and requirements. This achievement distinguishes the AV2.2 from helmet systems that may have completed other 600 KEAS testing protocols but have not demonstrated compliance with the same demanding USAF-specific test requirements.

This achievement, combined with the system’s lightweight construction and optimized weight distribution, represents a significant advancement in aviation helmet technology.

The AV2.2’s key performance advantages include:

  • USAF-Specific 600 KEAS Sled-Test Performance: LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the only helmet system worldwide to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test specification and requirements, establishing a new benchmark for high-speed protective performance.
  • Superior Mass Properties: Optimized helmet weight, balance, and center of gravity designed to reduce physical strain and support aircrew endurance during demanding flight operations.
  • Advanced Impact Protection: Engineered protective technologies and energy attenuation capabilities designed to enhance aircrew safety.
  • Enhanced Ventilation: An advanced ventilation approach designed to improve airflow, thermal comfort, and wearability during extended missions.
  • Next-Generation Modularity: A highly adaptable architecture engineered to support evolving operational requirements and the integration of future helmet-mounted display (HMD) technologies.
  • Mission-Focused Integration: Designed to accommodate applicable night vision, communications, oxygen, and mission-specific equipment.

Together, these capabilities establish the AV2.2 as a new standard in military aviation protective technology, designed to address both the immediate needs of military aircrew and the technological demands of future aviation operations.

A New Standard in Military Aviation Helmet Technology

For decades, military aviation helmet systems have faced the challenge of balancing protection, weight, comfort, and the integration of increasingly sophisticated mission equipment.

As helmet-mounted displays, night vision systems, and advanced communications technologies continue to evolve, these competing demands have become increasingly significant.

LIFT developed the AV2.2 to address these challenges through an integrated approach to protection, ergonomics, and modular system architecture.

“The AV2.2 represents a fundamental advancement in how we approach military aviation helmet design,” said Todd Lentz, Chief Revenue Officer of LIFT Airborne Technologies. “Our focus has never been simply to build another helmet. It has been to deliver a superior system that addresses the real-world challenges facing today’s warfighter. From being the first and only helmet system to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test requirements to delivering exceptional mass properties, ventilation, impact protection, and modularity, the AV2.2 demonstrates what is possible when innovation and operational performance drive product development. We are not entering this market to follow established standards. We are here to redefine them, setting a new benchmark for military aviation helmets and delivering the technology today’s global warfighter deserves.”

From Small Business Innovation to Major USAF Contract Award

The award represents a significant achievement in LIFT’s continued development as an American defense technology manufacturer.

Originating from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III follow-on acquisition, the contract demonstrates the transition of innovative technology development into a long-term procurement and fielding program supporting U.S. Air Force operational requirements.

The contract provides for delta development, qualification, production, and fielding of the AV2.2 helmet system, establishing a framework to advance the technology through the necessary program milestones and into operational use.

At the time of award, the Air Force obligated $4,095,959 in fiscal year 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation funding, supporting the program’s initial contracted activities.

The contract has an anticipated completion date of October 30, 2036, providing a long-term framework for continued development, production, and fielding of next-generation aircrew protective equipment.

The contract’s IDIQ structure enables the USAF to issue orders in accordance with its evolving requirements, up to the established $83.4 million ceiling.

Strengthening the U.S. Defense Industrial Base

Work under the contract will be performed in Carson City, Nevada, reinforcing LIFT’s investment in American engineering, advanced manufacturing, and domestic defense capabilities.

The award represents an important opportunity for LIFT to expand its manufacturing capabilities, strengthen its position within the U.S. defense industrial base, and support the modernization of military aviation protective equipment.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, serves as the contracting activity under contract number FA8606-27-D-B002.

By advancing innovative aviation protective technologies through domestic development and manufacturing, LIFT continues to demonstrate the important role that American businesses play in delivering next-generation solutions to the U.S. military.

Positioning LIFT as the New Standard in Global Military Aviation

The USAF award represents more than a major domestic contract. It signals a fundamental shift in the military aviation helmet industry, with LIFT emerging as a technology leader challenging legacy approaches and establishing a new standard for advanced aircrew protection.

As military organizations worldwide modernize their aviation fleets and increasingly prioritize aircrew survivability, operational endurance, and advanced technology integration, LIFT believes the AV2.2 represents the next evolution of military aviation helmet technology.

The system’s combination of high-speed protection, advanced ergonomics, modularity, and future HMD compatibility establishes a new benchmark for addressing the evolving requirements of U.S. and allied military aviation communities.

“This is an important chapter in LIFT’s evolution, but it is only the beginning,” added Rietdyk. “We are building a company focused on advancing the standard of protection and performance for military aircrew worldwide. Our selection by the United States Air Force reinforces our belief that innovation, technical excellence, and a relentless focus on the warfighter are reshaping the competitive landscape of military aviation. The industry has relied on legacy solutions for decades. LIFT is defining what comes next.”

With this landmark contract award, LIFT Airborne Technologies enters a new phase of growth, reinforcing its position as an innovative American manufacturer and a new technology leader setting the standard for the future of global military aviation.

About the AV2.2 Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet

The LIFT AV2.2 is an advanced military fixed-wing aviation helmet system engineered to deliver exceptional protection, optimized mass properties, enhanced ventilation, and next-generation modularity.

Designed to address the evolving requirements of modern military aircrew, the AV2.2 combines advanced composite construction, ergonomic engineering, and an adaptable architecture intended to support integration with current and future helmet-mounted display technologies.

LIFT reports that the AV2.2 is the first and only helmet system worldwide to successfully pass the rigorous USAF-specific 600 KEAS sled-test specification and requirements, representing a significant achievement in high-speed helmet performance.

With a focus on aircrew protection, comfort, and mission adaptability, the AV2.2 is designed to establish a new standard for the demanding operational environments of modern military aviation.

www.liftairborne.com

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BFG Monday: The Shot Was Never the Hard Part

November 9th, 2026

What More Than 1,000 Students Taught Me About Training, Decisions, and the Equipment That Supports Both

John “Chappy” Chapman, Task Force 70 Foundation
I can usually tell which students will struggle the first time I put a real decision in front of them.

A student shows up to a CQB or vehicle tactics course with gun handling that would hold up on any square range. Then I change one thing. I ask the student to give calm, direct commands while holding a subject at gunpoint. Or I ask the student to move to a better position of advantage instead of shooting from where they are standing.

And it comes apart.

Either the gun handling falls apart or the decision does. Usually, it is the decision.

I have trained several thousand students across the country, and by my rough estimate, I have watched this happen with about one in five. Most were good shooters. That was the part that took me too long to understand.

The same lesson eventually changed how I looked at equipment. A piece of gear can perform perfectly when it is the only thing being evaluated, then become a problem when the user has tocommunicate, move, process information, and make a decision at the same time. The real test is not whether a skill or a piece of equipment works when someone is thinking about it. The real test is whether it continues to work when the mission demands that attention go somewhere else.

What I Used to Get Wrong

For years, I read what I saw on the line the wrong way. A student with clean mechanics looked ready to me. I was grading the physical skill, especially with firearms, and assuming the student had also done the work of placing that skill into the context where it would actually be needed.

Those are two different things.

A drill can tell me whether a student can perform a defined task under controlled conditions. It cannot, by itself, tell me whether that skill will remain available when the student must identify the problem, communicate clearly, move to an advantage, account for other people, and decide whether force is appropriate at all.

I did not separate mechanical proficiency from operational capability, and I do not think much of the training world separates them consistently enough.

The Skill That Still Demands Attention

The students who lock up in moments of decision have often hyper-focused on one measurable skill before they get to me. It is usually shooting: a perfect Bill Drill, a faster draw, a tighter group, or a better split time. They have run the drill so many times that they appear to own it.

But some have become very good at performing the drill while still devoting most of their attention to the drill itself. They are thinking about the sight picture, the movement, the time, and the result. Then I ask them to solve another problem at the same time, and something breaks.

Driving is the best comparison I have. An experienced driver does not consciously think through every movement required to signal and turn. Those actions happen with very little attention, leaving the driver free to see the person who steps off the curb or the vehicle that enters the intersection.

A student who is still consciously running the gun has less attention available for the person in front of them. Add commands, movement, identification, or another problem, and the student reaches capacity. The student can see the shooting. What the student cannot always see is the part that matters most: making the right decision, and the constitutional one, with a gun in hand.

What the Students Who Adapt Have in Common

The students who adapt well are not necessarily better shooters. What matters is whether their skills can hold up when shooting stops being the only thing receiving their attention.

This is not an argument against the square range or against getting very good at shooting. Get as good as you can. Measure performance. Build consistency. Pressure-test the fundamentals. But remember what the training is for.

Every skill should eventually be internalized to the point that it can sit underneath a decision rather than compete with it. When the drill becomes the goal instead of a tool for building capability, training can drift into recreation. There is nothing wrong with recreation. Just do not confuse it with readiness.

What I Changed

That realization changed how I build courses. I now plan from the top down, beginning with the mission and the end state the officer or armed citizen is actually there to achieve. I work backward through the decisions, communications, movements, and tasks required to reach that end state until I arrive at the individual skills.

Training then runs in the other direction, from the skill back up to the mission. Every skill has to trace to a real task. If it cannot, it may still be useful or enjoyable, but it does not automatically belong in the course.

That also changed what counts as a skill. Verbal commands, a suspect-compliance script, movement to a position of advantage, and contact and control of a subject sit alongside marksmanship. Each must be defined, taught, and trained to a standard so the skills can be layered together without competing for all of the student’s attention when the decision appears.

I also stopped calling something a capability simply because a student could demonstrate it once. A capability is something the student can apply on demand, under the conditions where it will actually be needed, without extra train-up first.

The standard I care about now is not simply how fast a student shoots. It is whether the student can shoot well while paying attention to the subject, the environment, the position, the communication, and whether a shot should be taken at all. That last part is the job. Everything else is there to serve it.

Equipment Competes for Attention Too

The same principle applies to equipment. Gear can make perfect sense on a design table, in a product photograph, or during a clean demonstration and reveal a completely different problem once it is placed inside a realistic training evolution.

The best equipment does not ask the user to stop solving the problem in order to manage the gear. It reduces unnecessary steps, searching, fine-motor manipulation, bulk, weight, and adjustment. It becomes part of the capability rather than another demand on the user’s attention.

This is why repeated training matters to product development. The first repetition shows whether a product can work. The twentieth reveals whether it works without demanding the user’s attention. Add vehicles, protective equipment, darkness, communication, physical stress, and other people, and small inefficiencies become obvious. A pouch that is easy to access while standing still may be difficult from a seated position. A control that is obvious during setup may be difficult to find when the user is looking somewhere else. An item that appears light by itself may become part of a load that degrades endurance over hours.

Those are not styling problems. They are capability problems.

What Repeated Use Teaches Blue Force Gear

Blue Force Gear’s connection to training is not simply that the company works with experienced instructors and users. Repeated use creates an opportunity to observe where equipment helps preserve attention and where it still demands too much of it. Training exposes friction that may never appear during a conventional product review, and those observations can be carried back into evaluation and design.

The MARCO marking light dispenser is a useful example of the principle. Marking is rarely the user’s only task. The user may also be moving, communicating, controlling a scene, identifying people or positions, and tracking changing conditions. A marking tool must be accessible and deployable while the user remains focused on movement, communication, and the changing environment. That is where MARCO earns its place: not as a standalone object, but as a tool designed to complete a necessary task quickly and return the user’s attention to the larger problem.

The gear on a carrier is only one layer of a force encounter. Slings, pouches, medical equipment, and marking tools all have to work alongside movement, communication, judgment, and the rest of the user’s load. Good equipment performs its function. Better equipment helps the user remain focused on the mission.

Questions for Your Next Training Session

Take these questions to the range or your next training evolution:

• When you run your favorite drill, where is your attention? If it is entirely on the drill, add another problem.

• Run the same drill while giving clear commands out loud. What breaks first?

• Does any repetition begin with a decision, or does every repetition begin with a timer?

• Which skill have you trained the most, and have you ever trained it underneath another task?

• What piece of equipment requires your attention every time you use it?

• What works perfectly during setup but becomes difficult once movement, communication, or another problem is added?

The answers may tell you more about your readiness and your equipment than your fastest time.

Stay Teachable

The students who struggled taught me as much as I taught them. They showed me that I had been grading the wrong thing. Admitting that was harder than any drill I have ever run, and I had to rebuild much of how I teach because of it.

The same obligation applies to instructors, students, and equipment companies. We have to remain willing to put our assumptions into realistic conditions, pay attention to what fails, and change what we do next.

Look hardest at the skill you are proudest of and the gear you trust the most. If either one still demands your full attention to work, it is not finished, no matter how good it looked in isolation.

Train deliberately. Move with purpose. Stay ready.

Explore purpose-built gear designed to support the way you train, work, and move at Blue Force Gear.

About the Author

John “Chappy” Chapman is a law enforcement professional with more than 34 years of experience in operational, leadership, doctrinal development, applications engineering, and training roles. He is a published author and has specialized in the development and delivery of patrol and tactical law enforcement curricula for more than 28 years.

Chappy is the Executive Director of the Task Force 70 Foundation, a nonprofit focused on training, mentoring, and educating underserved rural and small-town law enforcement officers and agencies across the United States.

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Liberty Dogs Hosts Inaugural Graduation Ceremony

November 8th, 2026

The Reno-based nonprofit celebrates four U.S. Veteran and Service Dog teams beginning their lives together.
RENO, Nev., Nov. 2, 2026 — Liberty Dogs™, a national Veteran Service Dog training and placement program dedicated to serving U.S. military Veterans living with PTSD, hosted its inaugural graduation ceremony on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 for its first class: four U.S. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, each paired with a purpose-bred Service Dog. Additional classes will follow as Liberty Dogs works to pair more Veterans with Service Dogs each year.

Held at the flagship, 27-acre Liberty Dogs campus in Reno, the landmark ceremony recognized each team’s completion of training and placement.

“These Veterans spent their careers looking out for others,” said retired Maj. Gen. Ondra L. Berry, Liberty Dogs CEO. “On Friday, each of them left with a partner trained to look out for them. Healing from post-traumatic stress doesn’t happen in a single moment, and it shouldn’t happen alone. Everything we’ve built at Liberty Dogs has pointed to this day, from the dogs that were chosen and trained to the volunteers, fosters, and partners who share in the pride and purpose of helping Veterans heal. What begins as one bond will continue to grow into something far greater, strengthening everyone it touches.”

To participate in the Liberty Service Dogs Training & Placement Program, each Veteran completed an online application and took part in interviews and assessments. Liberty Dogs then paired each Veteran with a Service Dog by weighing lifestyle, needs, personality, and goals alongside the Service Dog’s temperament and skills, which were built over months of advanced obedience, public access, and task training on campus. Once matched, each team spent two weeks at the Liberty Dogs campus learning to work together, with housing, meals, and around-the-clock support provided at no cost.

The graduating class of Veterans and Service Dogs includes:

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marc O. Allen and Service Dog Daisy

Allen came to Liberty Dogs looking for support in feeling more at ease in everyday life. After years of serving his country and taking care of others, he knew that accepting help was an important step forward. Daisy joined the program as a puppy and soon showed a determined streak. Allen says that with Daisy by his side, he’s already noticing a difference in his confidence, comfort, and sense of connection.

Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jarrid Jones and Service Dog Libby

Before Liberty Dogs, Jones believed a partnership like this was something that only happened in movies. After participating in the first Warrior Wellness Program, he took the next step toward a Service Dog partnership with Libby. The small but mighty black Labrador will accompany Jones to work on his ranch. Her perseverance and determination during training earned her the nickname “dark horse.”

Navy Veteran Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Harrell and Service Dog Maddie

Harrell was drawn to Liberty Dogs because of the care the organization takes to pair each dog with the right Veteran. His partner, Maddie, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, was Liberty Dogs’ first dog. She picks up new skills quickly and will keep Harrell company while he reads, plays video games, kayaks, fishes, and hikes.

Army Veteran Sgt. Rich Earl and Service Dog Reagan

With a prior interest in partnering with a Service Dog, Earl was delighted to learn about Liberty Dogs. He served in the military police and enjoys fitness, travel, and time with his family. Calm and gentle, Reagan, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, has always approached life at her own pace, and she will bring that steady comfort to Earl in Las Vegas.

“Graduation isn’t the end of our commitment,” said Laura Edwards, Liberty Dogs chief canine officer. “Every match starts with the Veteran: their routines, their goals and what a hard day looks like for them. Then we find the dog whose temperament and training fit that life. That care is what gives each partnership the best chance. Each Veteran goes home with a plan built around their life and a team that stays with them, because a Service Dog partnership requires ongoing support, which is what we’re here to offer.”

Liberty Dogs opened its campus in summer 2026 and offers its programs at no cost to the Veterans it serves. Graduates leave with a lifelong companion, a personalized plan for life at home, and a team that stays in their corner.

For more information on Liberty Dogs and its programs, visit LibertyDogs.org.

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Department of War Launches Chaplain In-Service Procurement Program

November 8th, 2026

Have you had the calling to change up your service by becoming a Chaplain but weren’t sure how to proceed? Well, the new Office of Religious Affairs has a new initiative to help you on your journey.

Like other professional development programs, this allows eligible troops to earn a graduate theological degree and transition into the military Chaplain Corps without leaving the armed forces.

Participants will be commissioned into their service’s Chaplain Corps and will undertake a service commitment.

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The Double D Foundation Raises $915,000 to Support Shooting Teams and Organizations Across Georgia

November 8th, 2026

BLACK CREEK, GA – The Double D Foundation today that its 2026 Annual Georgia Banquet, held Thursday, October 15, at Daniel Defense Headquarters in Black Creek, Georgia, grossed $915,000.

“We are grateful for the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors, partners, attendees, and volunteers who made this year’s banquet possible,” said Cindy Daniel, Founder of The Double D Foundation. “The support we receive every year allows us to continue our mission across Georgia, growing participation in the shooting sports and safeguarding the Second Amendment for generations to come.”

The Double D Foundation extends special thanks to its 2026 Corporate Partners, Patriot Mobile, Brownells Foundation, and Davidson’s, for their generous support and shared commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

This year’s banquet featured Pete Brownell, Chairman of Brownells and 2nd Adventure Group, as keynote speaker and recipient of the 2026 Patriot Award. The award honors individuals whose leadership and commitment to protecting the Second Amendment and growing participation in shooting sports exemplify the Foundation’s aim to “Honor God. Defend Freedom.”

“100% of the net funds raised at the banquet help us provide ammunition, targets, safety equipment, and assistance to teams and organizations throughout Georgia,” said David Kulivan, Executive Director of The Double D Foundation. “The generosity demonstrated at this year’s banquet, combined with the continued support of our Corporate Partners, helps remove barriers and provide resources so thousands of participants are able to get first-hand experience with shooting and shooting sports.”

Since its founding in 2021, The Double D Foundation has raised more than $5.6 million through events, sweepstakes, and corporate partnerships, supporting hundreds of shooting teams and organizations serving more than 10,000 participants annually.

About The Double D Foundation

The Double D Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2021 by Daniel Defense Executive Vice President Cindy Daniel. The Foundation’s mission is to protect the Second Amendment by growing the number of Americans involved in the shooting sports. The organization is supported through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, sweepstakes, and fundraising events.

Learn more at www.TheDoubleDFoundation.org.

Posted in 2A, Industry, Nonprofit, Press Release, Shooting Sports | No Comments »

LAPG Zombie Ceramic Tactical Tiki Mug

November 7th, 2026

We might have missed this for Halloween, but zombies are fun all year round.

The Zombie Tactical Tiki Mug will hold 23 oz of your favorite beverage. Because it’s ceramic stone ware, it’s dishwasher and microwave safe.

Get yours at lapolicegear.com/lapg-zombie-tiki-mug.

Posted in Off-Duty | Comments Off on LAPG Zombie Ceramic Tactical Tiki Mug

Scout LT2 Slingshot Starter Kit by SimpleShot

November 7th, 2026

The Scout LT2 Starter Kit is the simplest way to go from “I want to try this” to landing shots in the backyard. It’s built around the Scout LT2, SimpleShot’s most popular slingshot, and packed with everything that gets you shooting: ammo, bands, reactive targets, a carry bag, and safety glasses. One box, one purchase, and you’re ready, at a better price than buying it all separately. The Scout LT2 is at the center. The frame comes set up with integrated clips and handle scales, plus bandsets and ammo, so band changes are quick and your first shots come easy. It also includes something to aim at … six reactive spinner targets that spin and smack when you hit them. Designed for comfort, the Scout LT2 accommodates large and small hands alike, with options for full pinch grip and thumb support grip.. Whether you’re a beginner discovering the thrill of slingshot shooting or a seasoned pro looking for a reliable addition to your arsenal, the Scout LT2 is designed to impress.

simple-shot.com/products/starter-kit-scout-lt2

Posted in Off-Duty, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Army Research Leads to First 3D-Printed Heavy-Fuel Engine

November 7th, 2026

ADELPHI, Md. — Years of Army scientific research culminated in the successful flight demonstration of a 3D-printed heavy-fuel rotary-engine series-hybrid system, advancing power and propulsion science for future tactical unmanned aircraft systems.

Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, designed the advanced drone propulsion through its Versatile Tactical Power and Propulsion essential research program.

“The program addresses critical power and propulsion challenges by advancing fundamental science that could enable drones to fly longer and faster, operate at higher altitudes, carry heavier payloads and perform in extreme environments while reducing logistics burdens,” said Dr. Chol-Bum “Mike” Kweon, DEVCOM ARL program manager. “For warfighters, the program has transitioned research findings to industry partners for maturation and integration into capabilities that could enable mid-sized drones to operate beyond line of sight, extending the reach of ground commanders and reducing risk to Soldiers.”

ARL researchers used advanced computational fluid dynamics modeling and a clean-sheet design approach to address the challenges of efficiently burning heavy fuel in a rotary engine. The work improved fuel atomization and vaporization while minimizing compressed-air and fuel-vapor leaks.

“The use of advanced manufacturing, including 3D metal printing, allowed us to rapidly redesign engine components based on lessons learned through experimentation,” Kweon said. “It enabled us to design an air-cooled engine that reduces propulsion-system size and eliminates the need for liquid coolant.”

Integrated with a novel 400-volt motor-generator system, the engine forms a heavy-fuel rotary-engine series-hybrid system designed to support vertical takeoff and landing operations in contested environments.

To demonstrate the propulsion system in flight, ARL worked with industry partners, including Griffon Aerospace, to develop an aircraft platform around the propulsion system. The novel series hybrid system powers the Group 3 midsized, unmanned aircraft system, Versatile Intelligence Controlled Tactical Operational Reconnaissance and Attack, or VICTOR UAS.

The Versatile Intelligence-Controlled Tactical Operational Reconnaissance and Attack, or VICTOR unmanned aircraft system, developed by DEVCOM ARL and industry partners demonstrating launch, flight and landing capabilities near Huntsville, Alabama. (U.S. Army video Casey Knighten)

The VICTOR essential research program generated many additional outcomes for the Army, industry and academia, including:

Collaborative research with more than 30 universities, more than 13 federal laboratories and more than 20 industry partners that resulted in hundreds of scientific journal publications in diverse areas including combustion chemistry, sensing and controls, material design, batteries and hybrid electric technology

Professionally developed hundreds of scientists and engineers now working in government, industry and academia

Research advances that address energy and propulsion challenges relevant to tactical-level energy independence

Technical data packages, design methods and reliability lessons applicable to future propulsion and drone design and integration efforts

Tens of patents and patent applications

Lessons from the essential research program will inform follow-on ARL research and industry development efforts, including the Persistent Unmanned Aircraft System for Logistics, Strike, Autonomy, and Reconnaissance, or PULSAR, an advanced drone-operation concept that enables multi-mission capabilities through a swarm of VICTOR drones.

The VICTOR UAS and the PULSAR concept will be made available to military partners for further experimentation and development. Industry partners will continue refining VICTOR UAS for other applications.

US Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, Power, Research | No Comments »

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