The SHEPARD program, described as an “X-prime” initiative, aims to advance the development of long-endurance aircraft by integrating emerging technologies to reduce system-level risks. “The idea behind a DARPA X-prime program is to take emerging technologies and burn down system-level integration risks to quickly mature a new missionized long endurance aircraft design that can be fielded quickly,” stated Steve Komadina, the SHEPARD program manager. “The SHEPARD program is maturing a specific propulsion architecture and power class as an exemplar of potential benefits for the Department of Defense.”

The SHEPARD program leverages the series hybrid electric architecture and components from the previous AFRL/IARPA Great Horned Owl (GHO) project. The initiative is a collaborative effort, involving members from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and various military personnel.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Aeronautics Systems sector, based in Redondo Beach, CA, serves as the prime contractor for the SHEPARD program. Key contributors include Scaled Composites, LLC, Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Brayton Energy, LLC, PC Krause and Associates, and EaglePicher Technologies, LLC.

The XRQ-73 is categorized as a Group 3 UAS, with an approximate weight of 1,250 pounds. The first flight of the XRQ-73 is anticipated by the end of 2024, marking a crucial step in advancing the capabilities of hybrid-electric aircraft within the Department of Defense.

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The post DARPA Announces Newest X-plane: XRQ-73 first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following article is archived from a press release by DARPA. It is archived here for research purposes.

The Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) built by performer Northrop Grumman completed full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024. Testing demonstrated at-sea hydrodynamic performance, including submerged operations using all the vehicle’s modes of propulsion and steering: buoyancy, propellers, and control surfaces.

“Our successful, full-scale Manta Ray testing validates the vehicle’s readiness to advance toward real-world operations after being rapidly assembled in the field from modular subsections,” said Dr. Kyle Woerner, DARPA program manager for Manta Ray. “The combination of cross-country modular transportation, in-field assembly, and subsequent deployment demonstrates a first-of-kind capability for an extra-large UUV.”

Northrop Grumman shipped the Manta Ray prototype in subsections from the build location in Maryland to its test location in California. The demonstrated ease of shipping and assembly supports the possibility of rapid deployment throughout the world without crowding valuable pier space at naval facilities.

“Shipping the vehicle directly to its intended area of operation conserves energy that the vehicle would otherwise expend during transit,” said Woerner. “Once deployed, the vehicle uses efficient, buoyancy-driven gliding to move through the water. The craft is designed with several payload bays of multiple sizes and types to enable a wide variety of naval mission sets.”

The post Manta Ray UUV Prototype Completes In-Water Testing first appeared on The Black Vault.

The X-plane DARPA is developing to fly without traditional, exterior-moving flight controls received its official designation. CRANE aims to build an experimental uncrewed aircraft that maneuvers by controlling the air flow around it.

Here is more information about the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.

The post DARPA Unveils the X-65 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Note: The following is a press release sent out by the  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on January 17, 2023, and is archived here for reference purposes.

DARPA has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to move into the detailed design phase of the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program. This follows successful completion of the project’s Phase 1 preliminary design, which resulted in an innovative testbed aircraft that used active flow control (AFC) to generate control forces in a wind tunnel test. Phase 2 will focus on detailed design and development of flight software and controls, culminating in a critical design review of an X-plane demonstrator that can fly without traditional moving flight controls on the exterior of the wings and tail.

The contract includes a Phase 3 option in which DARPA intends to fly a 7,000-pound X-plane that addresses the two primary technical hurdles of incorporation of AFC into a full-scale aircraft and reliance on it for controlled flight. Unique features of the demonstrator aircraft will include modular wing configurations that enable future integration of advanced technologies for flight testing either by DARPA or potential transition partners.

“Over the past several decades, the active flow control community has made significant advancements that enable the integration of active flow control technologies into advanced aircraft. We are confident about completing the design and flight test of a demonstration aircraft with AFC as the primary design consideration,” said the CRANE Program Manager Richard Wlezien. “With a modular wing section and modular AFC effectors, the CRANE X-plane has the potential to live on as a national test asset long after the CRANE program has concluded.”

The AFC suite of technologies enables multiple opportunities for aircraft performance improvements, such as elimination of moving control surfaces, drag reduction and high angle of attack flight, thicker wings for structural efficiency and increased fuel capacity, and simplified high-lift systems.

“Thanks to a variety of innovative participants, the CRANE program has significantly advanced the state of the art of multiple active flow control technologies,” said Wlezien. “We are uniquely positioned to build on those achievements by evaluating a wide range of relevant technologies during our planned X-plane flight tests.”

The post DARPA Selects Aurora Flight Sciences for Phase 2 of Active Flow Control X-Plane first appeared on The Black Vault.

On June 7, 2021, DARPA released the following press release, with the video above.

In recent tests at Eglin Air Force Base, DARPA’s Mobile Force Protection (MFP) program demonstrated a Counter-Unmanned Air System (C-UAS) multilayer defense architecture to defeat unauthorized drone intrusions over military installations or operations. Development of this low-cost reusable drone interceptor system approach began four years ago with the aim of creating an integrated system for thwarting attacks from self-guided small unmanned aircraft. The goal is to protect high value convoys moving through potentially populated regions where there is a requirement to avoid using explosive defensive weapons and mitigate collateral damage.

The technology demonstrator successfully neutralized tactically-relevant drones using a newly-developed X band radar that automatically senses and identifies unmanned aerial system threats. The radar then pairs targets to specific interceptors through an automated decision engine tied to a command and control system, launching and guiding rotary and fixed wing interceptors with two types of drone countermeasures while on the move and without operator intervention.

“Because we were focusing on protecting mobile assets, the program emphasized solutions with a small footprint in terms of size, weight, and power,” said MFP program manager Gregory Avicola in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. “This also allows for more affordable systems and less operators.”

The requirement that the system field non-kinetic solutions pushed concepts that could be employed in and around civilian areas. The primary drone negation mechanism shoots strong, stringy streamers from reusable interceptors that foul propellers causing loss of propulsion. Additionally, other non-kinetic techniques were developed and demoed. The focus on defeating raids with multiple threats, rather than single unmanned aerial attackers, required the development of an integrated solution of sensors, autonomy, and mitigation solutions more robust than existing systems. Dynetics was the primary systems integrator.

DARPA is currently working with the military services to transition technology developed in the MFP project into various acquisition programs.

Image Caption: Mobile Force Protection project vehicle launches drone interceptor in test at Eglin Air Force Base.

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The post Mobile Force Protection Program Concludes with Successful Demonstration first appeared on The Black Vault.

There is nothing more mind numbing than sifting through hundreds of pages of defense related budgets. Line item after line item of program element numbers, dollar amounts and vague descriptions are only part of the headache. When searching for something specific, in a sea of nondescript references, it’s like seeking out one unique needle in a stack of needles.  If you set out to find what may be defense funding for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) research? You’ll go cross-eyed within hours.  However, that was what The Black Vault set out to do; and the search may just have paid off.

For those readers who follow news about the Pentagon’s UFO research program, you’ll know that Uncle Sam has recently flip flopped on the issue. First stating they investigated unidentified flying objects with a secret program touted by many media outlets; they later recanted that by updating their previous statement and denying they ever did such a thing.

Confusion has reigned about what the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) really was. Those involved in the effort, like Mr. Luis Elizondo, former Pentagon senior ranking person within the program, states unequivocally it was a UFO research program. The Pentagon, however, denies that fact, and told The Black Vault in December of 2019 that they were taking back their admission to researching UFOs, and said AATIP had nothing to do with them.

Let’s assume for a moment the Pentagon has continued their long-standing tradition of some mis-truths on the topic, and AATIP did deal with UFOs. What we do know, is that according to the NY Times, $22 million dollars that funded the program went to a subsidiary of Bigelow Aerospace known as Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies or BAASS, and would last from 2007-2012.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) would reveal that thirty-eight reports known as Defense Intelligence Reference Documents (DIRDs) were produced under AATIP. In January of 2018, Senator John McCain’s office received a list of those report titles, after the Senator expressed interest in knowing what the program had produced.

To add to the concoction of confusion already surrounding AATIP, none of the DIRDs really seemed to reference anything UFO related. In addition, the DIRD reports that did leak out in full, did not mention AATIP, but rather, something called the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications (AAWSA) Program.

In the letter to Senator McCain, from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) that oversaw the program, “’The purpose of AATIP was to investigate foreign advanced aerospace weapon threats from the present out to the next 40 years.”

Pentagon spokesperson Susan Gough reiterated this in a statement to The Black Vault in 2019. “The purpose of AATIP was to investigate foreign advanced aerospace weapons system applications with future technology projections over the next 40 years, and to create a center of expertise on advanced aerospace technologies.”

Despite the contradiction, Elizondo told The Black Vault the Pentagon’s stance and their statements are wrong. “I believe enough people in our Government have been made aware over the last 2 years that a program existed and continues to exist…”

With these assertions, The Black Vault set out to find exactly where that money may be coming from that allows the program and the effort to continue. In order to do that, we must first go after what was publicly posted for the AAWSA Program. That can be found archived from a 2008 “Federal Business Opportunities” posting which was saved in the “Wayback Machine.” This was the original posting that was seen by BAASS in 2008, which they submitted a bid for. No other corporations offered a bid.

This solicitation notice stated the objective of the AAWSA program:

“One aspect of the future threat environment involves advanced aerospace weapon system applications.  The objective of this program is to understand the physics and engineering of these applications as they apply to the foreign threat out to the far term, i.e., from now through the year 2050. Primary focus is on breakthrough technologies and applications that create discontinuities in currently evolving technology trends. The focus is not on extrapolations of current aerospace technology. The proposal shall describe a technical approach which discusses how the breakthrough technologies and applications listed below would be studied and include proposed key personnel that have experience in those areas. 3. REQUIREMENTS: a) The contractor shall complete advanced aerospace weapon system technical studies in the following areas:   1. lift; 2. propulsion ; 3. control; 4. power generation; 5. spatial/temporal translation; 6. materials; 7. configuration, structure; 8. signature reduction (optical, infrared, radiofrequency, acoustic); 9. human interface; 10. human effects; 11. armament (RF and DEW); 12. other peripheral areas in support of (1-11); b) It is expected that numerous experts with extensive experience (minimum of 10 years) in breakthrough aerospace research and development will be required to meet the demands of the above program.”

With this as a starting point, The Black Vault began sifting through budgets and proposals to seek out what may be continuing this alleged UAP/UFO research. Regardless on if the AAWSA Program language was coded and covertly meant to be a “secret UFO study;” or if possibly it was not meant to be a UFO program at all but research bore out there was a phenomena that was determined a threat – this was a good place to start to seek out similar programs. Match the language – quite possibly match the objective.

After a long hunt, the discovery of Program Element (PE) 0603286E was made, and one of the projects within, could be exactly the unique needle in that proverbial stack of needles that was being sought after.

A PE is ultimately a portfolio of programs or in some instances a single program that receives funding within a budget.  PE 0603286E was first discovered in the 2008 DARPA Fact File published in June of 2008 (coincidentally, the same year the DIA solicited the private sector for bids for the AAWSA Program).

PE 0603286E contained numerous sub-projects that receive funding out of their more than $100 – $180 million dollar yearly budget. Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node; Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept; Tactical Boost Glide; Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System; are just some of the programs that receive money through this specific PE.

However, one sub-program within PE 0603286E is the Advanced Aerospace System Concepts line item, also reference as part of a “Project AIR-01.” The 2008 fact file says that:

“Studies conducted under the Advanced Aerospace System Concepts program will examine and evaluate emerging aerospace technologies and system concepts for applicability to military use, as well as the degree and scope of potential impact/improvements to military operations, mission utility, and warfighter capability. The program also analyzes emerging aerospace threats and possible methods and technologies to counter them.”

Although similar, the wording is not quite an exact match to the AAWSA Program, that is, not until you follow the progression of the program throughout multiple budgets. As the years progressed, the Advanced Aerospace System Concepts program continued to receive funding totaling millions of dollars each year, and it appeared that it’s objective and scope, would be slightly altered as time went on. The following was language that is found in later budgets about the program:

“The feasibility of achieving potential improvements, in terms of resources, schedule, and technological risk, is also evaluated. The results from these studies are used, in part, to formulate future programs or refocus ongoing work. Topics of consideration include: methods of defeating enemy anti-aircraft attacks; munition technologies to increase precision, range, endurance, and lethality of weapons for a variety of mission sets; novel launch systems; air vehicle control, power, propulsion, materials, and architectures; and payload and cargo handling systems.”

Launch systems; control; power; propulsion; materials; all exact research angles that connect the AAWSA Program / AATIP with this specific DARPA research program. In addition, having it in what appears to be an umbrella “weapons program,” along with using the phrasing “aerospace threats,” which would undoubtedly include UAPs, also draw a direct line between the two efforts.

Although it may be a stretch to fully conclude this is a continuation or extension of AATIP’s UAP focus; no one can deny the striking similarities between the wording of both programs. If AATIP / AAWSA Program was truly a UFO research program hidden within coded language in a public bid solicitation notice; then this DARPA program may ultimately be a near mirror image of it that holds many secrets of its own.

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Note: The Black Vault has had numerous FOIA requests open for records related to the above PE line item. It has been challenging, but some headway has recently been made. It was decided to publish the above prior to the FOIA releases for additional information, in order to spread the word about the possible connect. More information will be published, when available.

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UPDATE February 18th, 2020

In the past few days, the DOD issued their newest Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget Estimates. The “Advanced Aerospace System Concepts” program is continuing, with millions of dollars slated for the coming years.

In addition, it still speaks of analyzing “emerging aerospace threats” along with pursuing topics such as novel launch systems, propulsion, and materials very similar to the AAWSAP language. It’s still unclear if there could be ANY connection whatsoever, but the similarities remain.

Source

The post Could This Be DARPA’s Project for UFO/UAP Research? first appeared on The Black Vault.

DARPA’s mission is to prevent the technological surprise of the United States, and to create technological surprise for our enemies. This document provides short abstracts of DARPA programs in FY 2008 and FY 2009, and it is a reference for those interested in DARPA’s research portfolio. To better illustrate the goals of the programs, the programs have been grouped into the nine Strategic Thrusts that form DARPA’s strategy as described in Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Strategic Plan (February 2007).

Document Archive

2008 DARPA Fact File, June 2008 [91 Pages, 21MB]

The post 2008 DARPA Fact File, June 2008 first appeared on The Black Vault.

This historical evaluation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) as an R&D management institution was commissioned by ARPA in recognition of the fact that remarkably little in the way of an official recordor institutional memory had been established during its seventeen year lifetime. From Agency Directors to program managers, the turnover in its leadership has been rapid by most bureaucratic standards, thus eroding first hand knowledge of ARPA’s role and activities rather quickly. Conceived as a unique management organization chartered to concentrate on advanced research within the Department of Defense, this very uniqueness has frequently been questioned. Virtually every ARPA Director, and most ARPA personnel at all levels, have encountered friendly and not-so-friendly why ARPA? and what is ARPA? questions throughout its history. This report seeks to explain some of the whys and whats. For the most part, the study ends in 1972 when ARPA was designated a Defense Agency. This date was arbitrarily chosen. In instances where events or programs started in earlier periods extend beyond 1972, they have been pursued a bit further for sake of completeness, but not past 1974.

Document Archive

The Advanced Research Projects Agency, 1958-1974 [634 Pages, 46.6MB]

The post The Advanced Research Projects Agency, 1958-1974 first appeared on The Black Vault.

According to the document:

The “Electro-ring” concept of using electron rings in space for energy storage originated with the author during Rand studies of radiation (laser, particle beam) weapon systems in space. The requirement for large energy sources in space to support military radiation systems is evident from this work, as reported in R-1802-ARPA, Electron Rings in space for Energy Storage (U), and other Rand studies on space-based weapon systems.

The space systems considered here have been examined on an exploratory basis only. The research has focused on applications, under the tacit assumption that the formulated electron beam (e-beam) concepts will be feasible. The author identifies various concepts and discusses their potential mechanization on a broad basis. The level of effort was not sufficient for a rigorous pursuit of the physics and engineering of the systems.

Known physical effects have been factored in as performance constraints: however, many unknowns exist, particularly in the area of electron beam stability. Additional effort is required to resolve technical questions more precisely; project support to date has not permitted such in-depth resolution. Both theoretical investigations and in-orbit experimentation will be needed to determine the future prospects of electron beam weapons and Electro-ring energy storage devices.

Document Archive

 Electron Beam Systems in Space, June 1977 [70 Pages, 9.9MB]

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The post Electron Beam Systems in Space, June 1977 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence exhibited by machines or software. It is also the name of the academic field of study which studies how to create computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent behavior. Major AI researchers and textbooks define this field as “the study and design of intelligent agents”, in which an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the term in 1955, defines it as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines”.

The following are documents relating to artificial intelligence. Since the evolution of technology moves very quickly, I have started the archive to appear chronologically (then alphabetically) to differentiate the difference is scientific knowledge and technological capabilities over the decades.

Declassified Documents

 Some Problems and Proposals for Knowledge Representation, 06 August 1987 [44 Pages, 5.5MB] – Knowledge representation is widely regarded as a central problem in artificial intelligence. However, there appears to be no convergence of opinion as to the form a knowledge representation system should take, the principles it should embody, or even what its goal should be. While progress in the past decade has led to a number of interesting theories and useful programming formalisms, this research has also raised doubts about the adequacy of the foundations of many of these ideas. This paper presents some observations about the knowledge representation schemes now in common use. Some of these observations are critiques of these schemes, or extensions of critiques made by others. To remedy some of these problems, a new theory of knowledge representation is proposed. The theory attempts to encompass representational ideas that have emerged from different schools of thought, in particular from work in semantic networks, frames, frame semantics, and Conceptual Dependency.

The post Artificial Intelligence first appeared on The Black Vault.