Date of Award

5-5-2025

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

Launch Tech was tasked by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to create an autonomous drone launch pad to be used offshore for reconnaissance missions by the United States military. NUWC provided the team with $2,000 to design, test, and assemble a single-use launch pad made out of a flexible composite material that fits inside a 3-inch outer diameter by 1-foot-long cylindrical capsule. The capsule is to be released from an unmanned underwater vehicle, float to the water’s surface, and, upon command, open to expose the launch pad. It must be able to hold the drone in position during transit, await a minimum of 15 minutes on the water until deployment, and protect it from waves during launch. Additionally, the launch pad must remain concealed by camouflaging into its surrounding environment and minimizing noise production. This produce was achieved through rigorous materials research, market analysis, and concept development to determine the optimal design out of hundreds of iterations. Extensive buoyancy, saltwater, and stress-strain testing were utilized on all composites to best determine which material combination could achieve these precise standards. Due to the pad being single-use and non-recoverable, biodegradable and non-toxic materials were prioritized in the final deliverable to ensure environmental consciousness and prevent discovery. Launch Tech was able to meet all of the customer requirements by creating a composite material out of silicone, cork, and silk that folds between five resin-printed petals. These petals are pushed apart by and expanding pulley system driven by a high-torque motor that operatives with the direction of a liquid level sensor. Notably, this apparatus can be produced at a unit cost of $154.23, providing the opportunity for mass production. Launch Tech has successfully fulfilled all customer requirements, guaranteeing a high-quality product that establishes a strong foundation for future optimization.

Comments

Team Name: Launch Tech (Team 3)

Company Sponsor: NUWC

Sponsor Representative: Daynamar Delgado-Nieves

Document Reference: URI-MCE-402-003-2025

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