Requirement: Aerial Pick-up and Delivery
Task: Flex-Wing Development
Problem: To develop a series of flex-wing devices (including
homing and landing system) for precision delivery of supplies to include
a 300-pound payload drop glider, a 1,000-pound payload towed glider, and
a manned 1000-pound payload cargo carrier called a "flying jeep. "
Description: Developmental models of the drop glider and towed
glider will be extensively tested to ascertain their utility for aerial delivery
in remote areas, and to determine the modifications necessary to adapt
these devices to the needs and capabilities of the user prior to entering the
production engineering phase.
The flying jeep will be flight tested and evaluated as a logistical
carrier.
Current Status: The Precision Drop Glider tests were shifted to Thailand
during the past reporting period to obtain indigenous-user input, environmental
data, and an evaluation of its potential capabilities and its acceptability
and utility to probable users. Such tests have validated the operational
feasibility of the concept, revealed several problems not encountered
during US testing, demonstrated the capability of indigenous personnel to
operate and maintain the system, and indicated the potential utility of such
a device for resupply of border outposts when deterioating weather, low
visibility, unfavorable terrain, remoteness from base, and the like preclude
helicopter or standard parachute delivery.
The usefulness of such a system is dependent upon the reliability of an
automatic homing system. A program is under consideration which will
establish existing and required parameters for glider control and electroniclink
automatic-homing compatability.
An extension of the flight-test program for the Air Cargo Glider,
1, 000-pound-payload version, was approved during the reporting period,
and a proposal for an increase in scope of the program to expand the utility
envelope and operational capabilities is under consideration. The expanded
program would include, but not be limited to, qualifying the system for use
with various tow aircraft used in normal military operations; determination
of techniques required for handling and delivering variable-geometry and
random-cargo shipments such as vehicles, ordnance, and bulk commodities;
and simplification of the tow and control systems, cargo-carrying envelopes,
and system-handling equipment.
The "flying jeep" flight-test program is to begin shortly. The development
program should be essentially completed during the next quarter. A
one-third-scale model of the vehicle has been constructed by NASA, and is
undergoing free-flight powered tests in one of the Langley wind tunnels.
(TRECOM has also built and tested a one-fifth scale model. )
Future USAF Transport Projects (MACK, ATT, NGT, AMC-X, AJACS, HAWSTOL, Speed Agile)
Tsybin LL-1, LL-2 and LL-3 experimental gliders with solid engines
Various Austrian Post-war Aircraft Projects