Laboratory Coordinator:
Anthony Malatesta, PhD
Director of Engineering Education and Research Partnerships
Strategic Education Office
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
22347 Cedar Point Road
Building 2185 Room 2250
Patuxent River, MD 20670-1161
william.a.malatesta2.civ@us.navy.mil
Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division
All participants must be US Citizens.
The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is the Warfare Center responsible for the full spectrum of research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), engineering, and fleet support for air platforms. Product test areas include aircraft systems (manned and unmanned), airborne sensors, radar, propulsion and power, flight test and engineering, avionics design and production, human systems, aircraft-platform interface, and advanced launch and recovery equipment.
The most important assets are the more than 10,000 scientists and engineers (S&E's), and technicians, and 15,000 acres of research, test and evaluation facilities, and 7,400 square miles of test ranges supporting the RDT&E capabilities. Our unique capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities are unmatched worldwide. NAWCAD is located in Patuxent River, Maryland, 65 miles south, southeast of Washington, DC.
Technical expertise and collaboration/cooperation is needed in disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronics, Aerodynamics, Material Science & Engineering (software, hardware, processing, etc.). Various state-of-the-art technologies of NAWCAD are:
Acoustic Science and Technology:
Ocean acoustics, physical oceanography, active and passive sonar technology, sonar processing technology, acoustic and non-acoustic sensors, microwave radar, laser radar, and transduction material technology.
Advanced Aircraft Materials:
Materials science and engineering include, but are not limited to, hybrid materials, light weight high strength alloys, processing science, fatigue and fracture, structure design optimization, polymer, metal and ceramic matrix-composites, inter metallics, refractory metal alloys and coatings, corrosion inhibitors, environmental/surface interactions in adhesives, sealants, elastomers, electronic materials, lubricants, non-destructive testing (for structural integrity and stealthiness), polymer chemistry, composite repair technologies, and smart skins and smart structures. Material repair and repair processes. High temperature and specific strength materials.
Digital Engineering/Computer Systems Technology:
Use of digital twin technology and concepts to support predictive maintenance, automated sustainment environments, diagnostics and prognostics, digital communication of system requirements using model-based systems engineering (MBSE)/system modeling languages (SysML) and virtual environments. Reduced instruction set computer (RISC)and parallel computer architecture, data fusion, information storage (optical disks, semiconductor and ferroelectric memories, magnetic media, advanced recorders) Artificial Intelligence, Neural Network Systems, real-time telemetry processing, symbolic computer algebra/mathematics, tools for logistic planning, flight operations aircraft servicing and reporting systems, and object oriented systems.
Aircraft Controls and Displays:
Helmet mounted displays (HMDs), night vision devices (NVDs), digital sensors and displays, flat panel displays including light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), electroluminescent, plasma, field emission, and vacuum fluorescent, projection displays, etc. Human/machine interface, ergonomics, and cognitive performance/workload.
Aircraft Design and Performance:
Design, development, modeling and evaluation, rotorcraft aerodynamics, vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (integration, pilot augmentation, automation, landing flight mechanics), computational fluid dynamics, flight vehicle systems, digital fly-by-wire, flying qualities criteria, etc.
Avionic Systems:
Passive and active sensor systems (RF, EO/IR, and acoustic), advanced/alternative precision navigation and timing (PNT), advanced computational/open system architectures, advanced signal and image processing, flight information and control systems, and advanced concepts in electronic warfare systems. IR detection and imaging systems, signal and image processing, automatic target recognition, reconnaissance sensors, light detection and ranging(LIDAR) systems, hydrographic and atmospheric measurements, lasers and countermeasure systems.
Environmental Sensing:
Development and/or application of environmental and atmospheric sensors (wind, velocity, and direction) in support of aircraft operations.
IR detection and imaging systems:
IR detection and imaging systems, signal and image processing, automatic target recognition, reconnaissance sensors, light detection and ranging(LIDAR) systems, hydrographic and atmospheric measurements, lasers and countermeasure systems.
Flight Control Design and Aerospace Test and Evaluation Engineering:
Flight control, air frame dynamics and simulation, flight control system design and instrumentation, flying qualities analysis and simulation, conceptual design and evaluation of V/STOL, unmanned air vehicle (UAV), hypersonic, and tilt rotor, flight vehicle systems, flight testing techniques (instrumentation, simulation and support), aerodynamic and structural analysis, etc.
Secure Communications and Networks:
Areas of research include but are not limited to the following: resilient data and communications networks for Command and Control, architecture, analysis and software development, information assurance including blockchain networks and security, platform/system health monitoring, effective data transfer of both communications and video and integration of security end to end in software development, all with consideration for autonomous applications, while performing in dynamic and contested environments.
High Strength Cables, Harnesses, and Arresting Gear:
Design and manufacture of cables and harnesses for aircraft flight operations and emergency landing operations at sea.
Life Support and Human Factors:
In-flight crash protection and escape systems (crashworthiness), oxygen systems, survival and rescue equipment, emergency locator/beacon voice radios, advanced helmet mounted displays (HMDs), man-machine interface in cockpit/flight environment, acceleration/basic stress physiology, biochemistry, G protection techniques and devices, dynamic flight simulation, air crew visual performance, and human factor engineering.
Design for Maintainer
Human systems integration (HSI) related limitations and constraints which challenge maintainers or impact their performance while executing maintenance tasks on naval aircraft. This includes the mitigation of in-service human performance degraders as well as addressing the design of systems early in the acquisition process. Technical solutions include new maintenance processes, training solutions, state of the art tools, work aids and protective clothing.
Manufacturing Technology:
Leading edge in product design, manufacture, quality assurance through combined computer aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) functions, reverse engineering, additive manufacturing (AM), electronics assembly, cable and harness fabrication, printed circuit board fabrication, hybrid microelectronics, and stereo lithography; and computer aided acquisition and logistics support.
Microwave Technology:
Solid state conformal radar, sea clutter, non-cooperative target recognition, MMIC, CAD/CIM/CAM and adaptive antennas and processing.
Systems, Software, and Computer Technologies:
Neural networks, fuzzy logic, case based reasoning, genetic algorithms, visual reality, robotics, design error systems, intelligent control, parallel processing, software technologies for signal processing, operating system software for real-time Mission Critical Computer Resources (MCCR), AI/ML and expert systems, high-level specification languages for automatic code generation, software engineering environments, interface standards and software frameworks for integrating Computer-Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) tools, avionics architecture design and analysis, fault tolerant avionics design, etc.
Weapons System Integration:
Operations analysis as applied to weapon system modeling, effectiveness and intergration.
Propulsion and Power:
Full life cycle systems engineering and integration of all elements of air-breathing aircraft propulsion and power systems including: turbo-fan, turbo-jet, turbo-prop, and turbo shaft engines; reciprocating engines; propellers, secondary power and mechanical systems; helicopter drive system; fuel and fuel systems, lubricants, and chemical analysis; electrical power, wiring, EMI, and battery systems; controls, control system integration, prognostics and diagnostics; life management, reliability, and structural integrity; engine component design, analysis, and test; blade and vane repair and analysis; fleet health metrics; environmental stressors (e.g., dust, sand, etc.); altitude, accessory, noise and environmental tests; rotor spin test; electrical, fuels, battery, and dynamics laboratories, both development and testing; requirements definition, performance monitoring, and in-service engineering.