Request for Proposal – Next Generation Interdictor (Undergraduate Team)

Hernando Jimenez

Background

The Coast Guard currently counts with fleets of cutters, boats and aircraft to perform its many missions. Fixed-wing aircraft in the fleet are the C-130 Hercules and HU-25 Falcon jets which operate from Air Stations of varying sizes. The main missions performed by these vehicles, are Search and Rescue (SAR), Law Enforcement, and Air Interdiction.

The continuing prevalence of SAR operations as the Coast Guard’s oldest, coupled with the increase in drug and alien migration interdiction operations, have spurred interest on potential replacements of current aging aircraft. Under the current joint military doctrine a Next-Generation Interdictor (NGI) that can efficiently perform across all the aforementioned operations is desired.

Top Level Requirements

The NGI airframe must be highly resistant to the corrosive effects of the salt water. Ease of maintenance inspection and repair is critical. Special considerations must also account for potential fire from enemies during search and pursuit.

The NGI must allow for very short preparation and turn-around time based on fueling, maintenance and equipment servicing.

Design must account for antennae and surveillance equipment both in the interior and exterior of the aircraft.

Special consideration must be awarded to maximize pilot and operator visibility to the exterior.

The NGI must be a cost effective vehicle with extensibility to variant models applicable to future operations.

Crew: 2 pilots, plus 2-4 equipment operators

Payload: Surveillance, detection and dedicated communication equipment weighing 4,500 lbs

Mission requirements

A primary and secondary mission will be provided in detail capturing the key features of SAR and interdiction operations. They will stress quick deployment to target areas that will contrast with continuous turning maneuver capabilities during low-altitude, slow-flight. A standard ferry mission will also be provided.

Primary Mission – Deployment / Surveillance / Interdiction

Secondary Mission – Low Altitude Patrol

Performance Requirements

Additional performance requirements will also highlight the type of performance capabilities desirable in the NGI

E.g.

Sustained Load factor = 3 – Sea level / Mach = 0.4

2g Specific Excess Power

Sea level / Mach = 0.5 100 ft/s

25,000 ft / Mach = 0.8 50 ft/s