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DARPA Research Announcement for Platform Design Optimization Leveraging Power Beaming

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SamP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2016
Messages
94
Hi All,
Found this call for proposal to look at how design methods might change as a result of using beamed power. Text of announcement is below. I always like hearing how a new tech might change the design process. The range and endurance equations will obviously have to be modified. What other thoughts pop up?

DARPA is exploring wireless energy networks to enhance platform capabilities. Conventional
systems typically carry all the energy required for a mission internally as liquid fuel or batteries.
In a power beaming architecture, an air platform may carry only the energy needed to provide a
safety margin to manage short disruptions in the energy web. Off-boarding primary energy
storage and generation would allow for the unlocking of significant new air platform capabilities,
such as unlimited endurance or high-power density payloads. Fully recognizing the benefits of
off-boarding energy storage and generation requires a new design approach.
DARPA envisions providing platform power through either an optical or radio frequency (RF)
beam. This research topic will address the fundamental question: What changes in design
methods and analysis are required to optimize platform performance when offboarding some
amount of energy storage and generation? There is little information in the design databases to
address this question, and fundamental assumptions about fuel volume fraction, gross takeoff
weight scaling with endurance and range that are taken from existing design databases may not
apply.
New methods for platform optimization within an energy web framework should be developed
and explored. Proposals should identify modifications to existing analysis or design tools or
planned development of new tools required to evaluate air platforms using beamed power.
Critical factors needed within this design optimization should be identified by looking at
structural, thermal, aerodynamic, energy storage, powerplant, and energy beaming integration
requirements. The new design methods should then be evaluated through exemplar point designs
for various classes of UAVs with mission payloads and parameters provided by DARPA. See
FAQ for additional bounding assumptions and background information.
 
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