The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded Exosonic, Inc. a $1.250 million contract to initiate the design and development of a supersonic, 5gen 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.
“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. 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.”
— Craig Austin, Exosonic’s Head of Business Development
“We look forward to working with Exosonic in the initial design of the platform. A fifth-generation target is essential to allow the U.S. Air Force to maintain its qualitative advantage in aerial combat.”
— Michael “Grease” Panarisi, Chief of the Test Resource Management Office at Eglin AFB