Submersible Aircraft Concept Design Study - Amendment 1. Additional Assessment of Design Risks & Sensitivities within the Original Study, and an Initial Assessment of Key Control Aspects

Abstract : The original Submersible Aircraft Concept Design Study (J. Eastgate and R. Goddard, NSWCCD-CISD-2010/011, August 2010) proposed a design to combines the speed and range of an airborne platform with the stealth of an underwater vehicle by developing a vessel that can both fly and submerge. The study proposed a design capable of insertion and extraction of Special Forces at greater ranges, higher speeds, and in locations not previously accessible without direct support from additional military assets. The initial aim of this amendment was to develop an understanding of the control aspects of the proposed submersible aircraft concept, however in conducting this analysis a more detailed review of the key preliminary assumptions and their sensitivities was made, along with a re-assessment of the design tools used. This report summarizes the output of these reviews, highlights the key sensitivities identified, and shows a preliminary assessment of the control aspects of the concept design. This report is intended to supplement the original report, and act as reference to support future work and analysis into this concept