Fort Worth-based Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC, a TechFW member company, has been awarded $1.25 million from the Department of Defense to continue building on its airspace integration roadmap.
The “Direct to Phase Two” (D2P2) award will support the construction and flight demonstration of a prototype unmanned airship called "Galaxy" for Advanced Air Mobility research.
The project consists of two phases. Phase 1 involved simulations and prototype work, and Phase 2 will focus on adapting the lessons learned from Phase 1 and incorporating feedback and considerations from various sources, including previous Phase 2 awards, commercial applications, dual-use applications, and Air Force-specific feedback.
Galaxy Unmanned Systems is headed by Tony and Jason White, two brothers who have extensive experience in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry, both commercially and with DoD. Their combined experience of over 40 years encompasses various aspects of unmanned systems, such as concept development, design, manufacturing, testing, integration, documentation, training, and operations.
The research and development platform concept for this project is called "Persistent Airborne Laboratory" (PAL). Initially, the airship will be equipped with an electric propulsion system generated by an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit). As development progresses, it will transition to an augmented solar reversible hydrogen fuel cell to power four electric motors, with two on each side of the airship's non-ridged envelope, mounted close to the latitudinal axis.
To support the research, Galaxy Unmanned Systems has enlisted the expertise of two principal investigators, Dr. Kamesh Subbarao and Dr. Animesh Chakravarthy, who are long-term research partners from the University of Texas at Arlington.
The ultimate goal of Galaxy Unmanned Systems is to achieve full integration of their unmanned systems, particularly the Galaxy airship, into the National Airspace System (NAS) for drones and Urban Air Mobility.
For additional information about Galaxy Unmanned Systems and its progress toward NAS integration and Urban Air Mobility, interested parties can visit its website.