Proposal To Develop Technology To Advance Vertical Lift Technology And Urban Air Mobility

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), a leading Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) System design, development and manufacturing services provider announced today a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Award from NASA. The award, currently in negotiation, is under NASA Topic A1.06 for Vertical Lift Technology and Urban Air Mobility.

ESAero’s proposal, “Validation of UAM Dynamics Modeling Tool Suite Using Scaled Modular Aerial Research Testbed,” will comprehensively address a gap in knowledge due to a lack of publicly available datasets for the dynamic handling qualities of UAM and eVTOL aircraft powered by all-electric or hybrid-electric propulsion systems. ESAero will develop the Scaled Modular Aerial Research Testbed (SMART) vehicle to allow installation of modular vertical lift systems with modules representing common UAM aircraft configurations. The “as-built” vehicle characteristics and flight test data of three different UAM configurations will be provided as deliverables at the conclusion of the effort, enabling validation of UAM and rotorcraft dynamic tools suites specifically designed for eVTOL. This will include the results of the Phase I work, which is a comprehensive tool suite for the quantitative assessment of UAM aircraft ride qualities with respect to passenger comfort.

“The team is excited to continue work on dynamics modeling of eVTOL configurations and to help close the knowledge gap of publicly available validation datasets. We anticipate this work will contribute to those looking to validate eVTOL dynamic modeling tools. The effort will have a heavy focus on the characterization of the test articles and documentation, so others can duplicate the work. The SMART vehicle will also serve as a technology demonstrator testbed offering rapid access to flight for new propulsion and control topologies and emerging system technologies,” said Nick Brake, Phase II Principal Investigator for ESAero.

“ESAero has been working leading-edge designs, design tool, and technology development for all-electric, hybrid-electric, and distributed-electric air vehicle propulsion applications for over 12 years, including sUAS, eVTOL, and transport category aircraft. This work continues our legacy of providing real capabilities and real results to NASA and Industry. ESAero will continue to work the leading edge of design & analysis for UAM air vehicles, a paradigm shift in aircraft design and propulsion, while broadening our capabilities to also include air vehicle electric propulsion hardware development, qualification and standards development for certification through projects like the X-57 ‘Maxwell,” said Andrew Gibson, pPresident, CEO and Co-Founder of ESAero.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

The work is anticipated to begin in Q3 2019 and will conclude within 24 months.

(Source: Empirical Systems Aerospace news release)

FMI: www.esaero.com