lighter-than-air vehicles - Defense Innovation Marketplace

SkybusVehicle Class: Conventional AirshipMission Set: Low-Altitude ISR (FlyingLaboratory)Organization(s): Army, OSD, NavyPrimary Contractor(s): SAICPM/POC: Mr. Kevin Johnson, Army G-2Program Start: 2007Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 7Current Status: Currently beingreassembled for demonstrationTable 35: Skybus Program OverviewFigure 54: Skybus in Flight 54The Skybus 80K is an experimental,remotely piloted, unmanned airship used asa payload test platform for the Army. Thecurrent Skybus 80K platform, developed bySAIC, originated from the Skybus 30K andreplaced the Small Aerostat/AirshipSurveillance System (SASS) Lite airshipprogram. The Skybus is in storage due to alack of funding in FY11, but the Army G-2and NAVAIR are funding the reassemblyfor an operational demonstration. 14The Skybus uses a multi-payload gondolafor payload testing that is capable ofsupporting a variety of payloads weighingup to 500 lbs. The platform is equippedwith: 54FMV Turrets—MX-14, MX-15i/HD,MX20, MX-10iStar Safire III—MX-12iCOMMS Relays—EPLRS, SINCGARSWideband Networks—AGIG, NGPayloads tested on Skybus have beendeveloped by a number of organizations,including industry and government labs—Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), ARL, andthe Naval Research Lab (NRL). Theplatform has been utilized to test thefollowing payloads: 54M-TCDL or small UAS forRover/OSRVT broadcastBoomerang, UTAMS gunfire detectionIP-based plug and play payloadsAirborne Weapons Surveillance System(AWSS)Aerostat Mounted UTAMS (AMUS)SIGINT payloadsThe Skybus operates out of a fullyintegrated ground control station. Theground crew required to operate the Skybusvaries from 6–12 people depending onweather conditions. 14The Skybus program began in 2003 as theSASS Lite program. The Army transferredthe program to SAIC in 2006 after theoriginal contractor experienced technicaldifficulties. The original airship hadproblems with its design, which ultimatelyled to a crash while under operation by theoriginal contractor. 1458