Sea-Air-Space: ONR Booth Features Tech for Unmanned Systems, Helmets and More

From Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- From unmanned vehicles to explosive-resistant coatings, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) will showcase a range of technologies at the Sea-Air-Space 2014 expo April 7-9.

Program officers from ONR, NRL and MCWL will be on hand in booth No. 1014 to discuss their pioneering work and potential research opportunities, including those for small businesses.

One of the featured technologies could help reduce incidents of traumatic brain injury resulting from blast incidents. Through basic research and applied science, ONR is studying the use of special polymers in helmets to dissipate and divert shock pressure from the head more effectively than Kevlar or other ballistic material. In addition, these polymers will enhance the ballistic performance of Kevlar while keeping the weight of the helmet the same.

Visitors to the booth also may notice a small helicopter, or nano quadrotor, flying around and attempting to land on a wind-tunnel ship model. This display illustrates research being done to support naval shipboard landings, which are unique to the service and difficult due to air wake turbulence and ship deck motion. Navy scientists are investigating ways to measure and predict these dynamic conditions to more safely launch and recover both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from naval vessels.

Other technologies on display include:

* Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast-a new submarine sensor mast with 360-degree panoramic search capability in both visible and infrared wavelengths

* eXperimental Fuel Cell unmanned aerial system (UAS)-a tube-launched autonomous vehicle designed as an expendable, long-endurance platform for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)

* Raven-a lightweight unmanned air vehicle with real-time video streaming cameras

* Stalker-a UAS with long-endurance imaging capacity that uses a variety of day- and night-vision cameras with target locking and tracking

* Shrike-a vertical takeoff and landing Group 1 Small UAS designed to provide ISR to small units through manual or autonomous operation.

Also on tap, Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder will participate in a panel discussion on "Innovation and Supporting the Warfighter" April 8 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

The panel will be moderated by Vice Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, principal military deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, and feature commanders from Marine Corps Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Sea Systems Command, as well as the assistant commandant for acquisition at the Coast Guard.

The event at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., is hosted by the Navy League of the United States with the goal of bringing together leaders from defense organizations-both government and private industry-to learn about and view the most up-to-date information and technology related to maritime policy.

ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.