Exosonic awarded USAF SBIR contract to develop supersonic targets

The US Air Force Research Laboratory’s AFWERX has awarded Los Angeles-based Exosonic, Inc a US$1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research Phase 2 contract to develop a digital design and trade study for a fifth-generation supersonic target. This contract was awarded under the AFRL’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

In a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR, Exosonic will perform a design study that will include an analysis of alternatives and reuse options related to major subsystems, including propulsion, avionics, and landing gear. The results of the effort will be to create a viable design and a path to prototyping and development of the aircraft. The ADF has looked at supersonic targets in the past to train its airborne, sea- and ground-based missiles, including proposals by Melbourne-based Grollo Aerospace, but has not pursued these proposals and has only a limited capability.

“Exosonic is pleased to work with our Air Force customer in the initial design of this critical program that will support the Air Force’s Operational Imperatives.” said Craig Austin, Exosonic’s Head of Business Development. “The target will support the development of new Air Force weapons and will enable thorough testing of our air-to-air-missiles in the most challenging and operationally representative environments, ensuring lethality against the threats we expect to face in a near-peer conflict.”

“A fifth-generation target is essential to allow the U.S. Air Force to maintain its qualitative advantage in aerial combat” said Michael “Grease” Panarisi, Chief of the Test Resource Management Office at Eglin AFB.