2009-2010 Assessment of the Army Research Laboratory (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
6 Vehicle Technology Directorate
6 Vehicle Technology Directorate
Pages 69-77
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 69... ...
. The assessment below reflects visits by the Panel on Air and Ground Vehicle Technology to the VTD sites at NASA Glenn Research Center on July 13-16, 2009, and at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
|
From page 70... ...
The CCs also allow VTD management to prioritize research that will impact more than one CC and to determine quickly if its portfolio of research is sufficient to meet the technology requirements of the capability concepts. The focus provided by the CCs will serve as a valuable yardstick for VTD as it continues its efforts to develop an excellent research portfolio in the new focus area of small autonomous air and ground vehicles.
|
From page 71... ...
A fan center body should be included in the design space to ensure that the CFD design system for diffusion exhaust ducts will work for all fan-drive systems. Both nutating and Bonner advanced internal combustion engines are under development through Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
|
From page 72... ...
This is a critical research area for VTD -- that is, as pressure ratios increase and the size decreases for engines burning JP-8, there is a clear need for fuel injectors of this type. The approach underway does not have a high probability of success; however, this problem is so important that the program should continue, but it should be carefully coordinated with similar work underway in other parts of the Army and in other services.
|
From page 73... ...
The variable-speed turbine research is aimed at developing turbine airfoils that will maintain the near-constant efficiency of a gas turbine from the design takeoff rotor speed to the cruise and near-loitering condition at 50 percent rotor speed. The analytic results of this research show that turbine blades that hold constant efficiency over this speed range are possible and would increase turbine efficiency at cruise or near-loitering condition by greater than 3 percent.
|
From page 74... ...
The panel commends VTD for its utilization of unique facilities and personnel at the NASA Glenn and the NASA Langley Research Centers. Its challenge, however, is to integrate the research and researchers from these two NASA sites effectively into the VTD organization, with its focus on critical Army needs.
|
From page 75... ...
VTD should consider undertaking an effort in the following emerging technology areas: mesoscale power sources, such as small fuel cells and gas turbines; the analytical modeling of physical processes such as combustion; and simulators for the training of operators of remotely piloted air and ground vehicles. High energy density power systems will be a disruptive technology in future Army vehicles.
|
From page 76... ...
The BRAC decision to consolidate VTD at Aberdeen Proving Ground, coupled with VTD management's evolving focus on Army needs, is increasing the quality of the VTD research portfolio. The establishment of eight capability concepts that embody clearly defined future Army needs is a clear example of VTD focus as it moves from research emphasis on helicopter-type vehicles to research emphasis on smaller, autonomous robotic vehicles.
|
From page 77... ...
The testing and demonstration areas at Fort Indiantown Gap are capable of ensuring that the results of the CTA meet Army needs; however, the current quality of robotic test design needs to be upgraded.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.