SPRINT_Program Overview_Final.pdf

SPRINT

SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies

X-Plane Demonstration Program Dr. Andrew Baker

TTO Program Manager

23 March 2023

SPRINT Proposers Day

DISTRIBUTION A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited.

SPRINT X-Plane Demonstration Program

High speed cruise and altitude consistent with operational system needs Vertical lift technology that allows runway independent operations in austere environments Validate technologies at relevant scale in flight environments Partnership with Headquarters, USSOCOM SOF AT&L

(CUI)

Design, build, certify, and fly a Technology Demonstrator to validate the enabling technologies and integrated concepts that allow a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms.

Notional Concept Notional Concept

Overall Goal: Design, build and fly an X-Plane to demonstrate the enabling technologies and integrated concepts that allow a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms within 42 months.

This proof-of-concept Technology Demonstrator will seek to validate technologies and integrated concepts that can be scaled to different size military aircraft, provide these aircraft with the ability to cruise at speeds from 400 to 450 Knots at relevant altitudes and hover in austere environments (near unprepared surfaces).

Primary Technical Objectives

• SPRINT X-Plane must demonstrate the ability to cruise ≥400 KTAS(T) ≥450 KTAS(O) at a relevant altitude and perform basic forward flight maneuvers in a stable manner.

• SPRINT X-Plane must demonstrate the ability to hover and perform hover maneuvers in a stable manner.

• SPRINT X-Plane must demonstrate the ability to transition between hover, forward flight and high speed forward flight modes in both directions in a stable manner.

• SPRINT X-Plane must demonstrate the ability to generate and distribute power in all modes of flight and during transition between these modes of flight.

SPRINT X-Plane: Program Goals and Technical Objectives

• Representative Operational System (OS)

• Sized to a representative mission – Not a specific military use case but combination of effects

• Proves scalability of technologies

• Proves technologies are compatible with anticipated missions

• Fundamental attributes are part of the consideration for selecting technologies (air refueling, cargo space, etc.)

• For the Proposal Only, Provides common aircraft to vet the merits of each set of enabling technologies

• X-Plane Demonstrator

• This is the CORE of the program; Design, Build, Fly X-Plane

• Prove technologies and/or integrated concepts in relevant flight environment

• Demonstrator size proves traceability of technologies to OS

SPRINT BAA: Operational System and X-Plane Philosophy

VMCP: ≥ 400 KTAS (Threshold); ≥ 450 KTAS (Objective) at an altitude between 15,000 and 30,000 feet (Segment 4, 8) OR 200 feet AGL (Segment 5, 7) whichever is more stringent

Payload: 5,000 lbs.

Notional Cargo Bay: Length: 30ft, Width: 8.0 ft, Height: 7 ft for small wheeled vehicles or two half height 463 pallets Include Cargo Ramp

SPRINT X-Plane: Operational System (OS) Sizing Mission Time (min)

Distance (nm)

Speed

(KTAS)

Engine Rating Payload

1 Start Up/Taxi SL 102 5 ≤ 100% MCP Retained 2 Take-off SL 102 2 HOGE ≤ 95% MRP Maximize 3 Climb/Cruise Out 1 Best ISA 350 VBR ≤ 100% MCP Retained

4 Cruise Out 2/Descend Best ISA 75 VMCP ≤ 100% MCP Retained

5 Infiltration 200 95 75 VMCP ≤ 100% MCP Retained 6 Mid Mission Hover 4000 95 10 HOGE ≤ 95% MRP Retained 7 Exfilitration 200 95 75 VMCP ≤ 100% MCP None

8 Climb/Cruise In 2 Best ISA 75 VMCP ≤ 100% MCP None

9 Cruise In 1 Best ISA 350 VBR ≤ 100% MCP None 10 Land 4000 95 2 HOGE ≤ 95% MRP None 11 20 Min Reserve 4000 95 VBR ≤ 100% MCP None

Segment Atmosphere

(ft, °F)

• Instantaneous Change in Altitude between Segment 4 and 5 and Segment 7 and 8

The Operational System assessment to ensure the correct concepts/technologies are selected for the program is not solely based on the technology/concept scalability. Additional required descriptions include:

• Short Take-off and Landing Capability – describe ability to take-off and/or land in 300 feet, describe payload range effects or other relevant performance impacts.

• Runway Independent Operations in Austere Environments – discuss impact of downwash/outwash and engine exhaust environment on operations in austere environments. Discussion should include vertical take-off, hover operations, personnel deployment from aircraft, personnel on the ground.

• Engine Out Operability – Describe advantages or disadvantages of fundamental technologies or integrated concept to land after a loss of power in a vertical mode of operation.

• Mission Applicability – describe OS design ability to conduct infiltration/exfiltration, agile tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation missions from a cargo space viewpoint, (i.e., how do the fundamental technologies or integrated concept impact cargo space available).

• Aerial Refueling – Describe whether the fundamental technologies or integrated concept limit aerial refueling capability and efficiency.

• Maneuverability/Nap of the Earth Controllability – Describe advantages or disadvantages of the fundamental technologies or integrated concept ability to maneuver during slow or hover operations, vertical rate of climb or control during nap-of-the-earth operations

SPRINT X-Plane: Enabling Technology/Integrated Concept Assessment

X-Plane Technical Attributes

• Gross Take-off Weight (GTOW): 8,000-15,000 lbs (Weight range is not limiting)

• Sustained flight speed ≥ 400 KTAS at an altitude between 15,000 and 30,000 ft

• Useful Payload ≥ 1000 lbs

• Nominally single dedicated space reserved for flight test instrumentation/avionics or residual capability

X-Plane Flight Test Efficiency

• Flight Test Endurance: 1.5 hours for efficient, effective FT program

• Radius ≥ 200 nm

• Load Margins -0.5g to 2g

• Design Life: 500 hrs

• DARPA Demonstration expected ≤ 200 hrs

• 12 fps sink rate with no damage

SPRINT X-Plane: Demonstration X-Plane (DX) Guidance

SPRINT X-Plane: Notional Flight Test Checkouts

Performance Test Test Condition Metric

Sustained Speed Straight and Level Flight, Build Up

Max Design Gross Weight 15 Minutes, Best Altitude

Knots True Air Speed, Altitude between 15 and 25 k feet

Forward Flight Maneuvers Forward Flight

Yaw/Pitch/Roll Doublets Banks to Bank Roll Push Over Pull Up Sustained g Turn

Demonsatration of Damped, Controlled Maneuvers FQ/HQ Level 1 Desired, Level 2 Required*

Hover Hover IGE

Hover OGE

Max Design Gross Weight 5 Minutes, Available Density Altitude

Based on Designated ADS-PRF-33 Mission Task Element

Hover Maneuvers ADS-33 Type Based on Designated ADS-

PRF-33 Mission Task Element

Based on Designated ADS-PRF-33 Mission Task Element

Transition Individual

Technology

Max Design Gross Weight 5 Minutes, Available Density Altitude

Controlled Transition Dynamics, Timing FQ/HQ Level 1 Desired, Level 2 Required*

Transition Hover to Forward Flight

Max Design Gross Weight Available Density Altitude

Controlled Transition Dynamics, Timing FQ/HQ Level 1 Desired, Level 2 Required*

Transition Forward Flight to Hover

Max Design Gross Weight Available Density Altitude

Controlled Transition Dynamics, Timing FQ/HQ Level 1 Desired, Level 2 Required*

* Based on MIL-HDBK-1797 Type Criteria / Cooper Harper Ratings

One goal of the SPRINT X-Plane project is to provide enabling technologies and integrated concepts that allow the aircraft to provide runway independent operations.

• Runway independent operations is envisioned as the ability to operate and hover near unprepared surfaces, such as sections of damaged runways, remote highways/roadways, unprepared fields with dry grass, parking lots, etc.

• Runway independent operations are transient operations not meant for continuous operations in one particular location.

• Runway independent operations are intended to be compatible with personnel operations from or near the aircraft.

• There is no disk loading, downwash or surface hardness limit set for the proposal. The proposer must provide an understanding of how the proposed OS design meets this goal of runway independence.

SPRINT X-Plane: Runway Independence

• The Government will not be providing engines as government furnished equipment (GFE).

• The SPRINT X-Plane must be based on existing engine(s)/propulsion system (i.e., Off-the Shelf (OTS) .

• If the propulsion system is considered a key technology for the proposer’s concept, the design should be based on existing components with no major development needed.

• OTS Engines with minor upgrades (no Core engine changes) are acceptable

• Lift fans /rotors are anticipated as enabling technology and can be developed during program.

• This ensures the engine or propulsion system development does not delay the overall X-Plane flight demonstration.

• The Operational System may include an engine/propulsion system that is envisioned in the future, but this should be clearly stated and discussed as part of the OS description in the proposal.

SPRINT X-Plane: Assumptions - Engines

• While airworthiness certification will occur in Phase 2, design and test planning considerations may be applicable to this BAA.

• Performers are expected to complete all safety/airworthiness reviews and obtain airworthiness certification prior to first flight.

• A systematic airworthiness approach applicable to experimental aircraft will be followed, requiring participation of the performer, the DARPA Government team, and a test range.

• The preferred airworthiness process envisioned will follow a DARPA flight release tailored for an experimental aircraft based on MIL-HDBK-516C.

• Additional options for flight release through military or commercial airworthiness processes will be considered and should be described in the proposal.

• It is anticipated that flight-testing will be conducted in restricted airspace and that a flight termination system may be required if unmanned.

SPRINT X-Plane: Assumptions - Airworthiness

FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

BAA / Contracts

Performer #1

Performer #2

Performer #3

Legend

BAA/Contracts

3 Phase Project with 42 Months to First Flight

Design

ATP

Build

Assemble

Ground Test

Design

Scale Build

Assemble

Ground Test

Flight Test

1st Flight

Transition

CDR

Phase 1B

PDR

Phase 2 Proposal

CoDR

Scale FT

Demo Build

CDR

Flight Test

1st Flight

Transition

Design

Build

Assemble

Ground Test Flight Test

1st Flight

Transition

CDRPDRCoDR

CoDR PDR

Phase 2 Phase 3Ph 1A DecisionPhase 1A

SPRINT X-Plane: Notional Schedule

• BAA Posted: Friday 10 March 2023

• Proposers Day: 08:30-11:30ET, Thursday 23 March 2023

• FAQ/Questions Due: 23:59ET, 27 March 2023

• Abstracts Due: 16:00ET, 31 March 2023

• Proposals Due: 16:00ET, 5 May 2023

• Awards Announcements Expected: September 2023 with work commencing October 2023

SPRINT X-Plane: Key Dates

• Phase 1: Full Cost Proposal

• Phase 1A Base Contract: Conceptual Design, System Requirements, System Functions Leading to CoDR

• Phase 1B Option on Contract: Preliminary Design , Risk Reduction Efforts, Limited Detailed Design

• Phase 2: ROM Cost Only

• Phase 2 Critical Design, Build, Ground Test

• Full Cost Proposal Due One Month After PDR

• Phase 3: Nothing for BAA

• Phase 3 Flight Test

• Full Cost Proposal Due One Month After PDR

• Government anticipates multiple Phase 1A awards which include Conceptual Design Review

• Government will decide to continue each project after Phase 1A based on progress and funds available.

• A Go/No-Go decision will be made to build and fly the demonstrator after Preliminary Design Review based on technical progress, Phase 2 proposal(s) and funds available. Only one performer is anticipated

• COR: Deputy Program Manager assigned by USSOCOM SOF AT&L

SPRINT BAA Contracting Plan

• BAA solicits proposals only for Phase 1A (Base Period) and Phase 1B (Option Period)

• The Government strongly encourages proposer teams to submit an Abstract (10 pages) to outline technology, program plan, and schedule. The Government will provide feedback for full proposal (Encourage/Discourage).

• All abstracts and proposals submitted shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

• Proposals should be based on a single Operational System concept that is well defined. If a proposer has multiple sets of enabling technology and integrated concepts for consideration, then separate full proposals should be submitted for each concept

• Proposers are welcome to share additional information regarding their concepts so long as specified page limits are respected.

• Government will contract via FAR or OTA based on each proposal. Government encourages non-traditional performers and non-traditional contract arrangements through OTAs.

SPRINT X-Plane: General Award Information

The Government strongly encourages proposer teams to submit an Abstract (10 pages) to outline technology, program plan, and schedule. The Government will provide feedback for full proposal (Encourage/Discourage).

Abstracts should provide a preliminary overview of the Operational System and the proposed SPRINT X- Plane Demonstrator solution.

• Proposal Summary including Vehicle Graphics, Technology and Concept Description, Team, Rights Assertion, Deliverables

• No Cost Needed unless you want to provide a ROM cost for Phase 1

Plus

• Top-level description of analytical and test activities anticipated to complete in Phase 1.

• Top-level description of recent analytical and test activities completed by proposer team that matures the specific technologies and integrated concept.

• Identification of major risks and/or challenges for the SPRINT project.

• Top-level description of the manufacturing/airworthiness strategy to support design, manufacturing, and testing of proposed concept.

• Relevant facilities (proposer and/or potential teaming partners) expected to complete the design, build, certify and fly X-Plane project.

SPRINT X-Plane: Abstracts and Abstract Content

Selected Q&A

Dr. Andy Baker, TTO Program Manager www.darpa.mil

18DISTRIBUTION A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited.