Bento Box - Modular Stratospheric Balloon Payload to Enable Artificial Intelligence for Small Unit Maneuver
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Authors
Lan, Wenschel D.
Subjects
CubeSat form factor
High Altitude Platforms
contested environment
tactical maneuver
High Altitude Platforms
contested environment
tactical maneuver
Advisors
Date of Issue
2021
Date
2021
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School.
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School.
Language
en_US
Abstract
Guaranteed access to communication, navigation, & data transfer networks is required for successful AI-enabled mission execution. In light of great power competition, SOF must identify unique/novel methods to maintain continuous airborne surveillance, uninterrupted comms, and accurate navigation inputs to facilitate tactical maneuver in contested battlespaces. High-altitude balloons (HABs) offer a potential low-cost/low-observable method to increase force projection across domains and provide the infrastructure required to support NSW tactical maneuver. Using HABs would offload dirty, dull, & dangerous tasks from manned systems and transition them to those with potential to operate autonomously using robotics and AI. Opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders have been identified that will enable us to reach our objectives: 1) collection of stakeholder requirements to design/prototype a bus (called Bento Box) that meets modularity requirements and sets an industry benchmark for future high-altitude system designs, and 2) demonstrate modularity and the ability to integrate with an autonomous recovery vehicle; both major conceptual barriers for HAB adoption. To achieve these, we'll use standard aerospace modeling/simulation techniques in preliminary design phases, then leverage existing HAB systems, a CubeSat form factor developed by the NPS Space Systems Academic Group, and other designs in development, finally, we will use an existing recovery vehicle to demonstrate the feasibility of using the system to enable AISUM concepts. Deliverables include: a preliminary design review package, prototype, recovery vehicle integration, and a detailed technical report. Lastly, HABs are accessible compared to space systems, making them excellent experimentation platforms for tech/TTPs designed to support AISUM; in this regard, there exists unprecedented potential for innovation cycle iteration at a superior frequency and price point compared to contemporary methods.
Type
Poster
Description
NPS NRP Project Poster
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Research Program (NRP)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)
N7 - Warfighting Development
N7 - Warfighting Development
Funder
This research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrp
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.