Silencing with Acoustic Rainbow Emitters (SWARE)

Objective: The objective of this topic is to develop applied research toward a low-cost acoustic rainbow emitter (ARE) to provide significant reduction in a UAS’s acoustic signature. The ARE would provide a means to redirect the acoustic signature of a UAS and change the frequencies of the acoustic signature. Due to the high number of UxS operations that will be conducted at a tactical level, this effort will support ARSOF in maintaining stealth at the tactical edge. Description: This topic seeks innovative research and development efforts toward a low-cost acoustic rainbow emitter attached to a UAS. Acoustic sensors are becoming more prolific on the battlefield and reducing the signature of a UAS will increase the survivability of ARSOF UAS in a non-permissive environment. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with respective specifications on the key system attributes. Key system attributes include: The ARE should reduce the acoustic signature of a UAS by at least 50%. The ARE should redirect the acoustic signature of a UAS towards the atmosphere and away from the ground. The ARE should filter the frequency of the sound emitted towards the ground to levels inaudible to the human ear. The ARE should be easily applied to a UAS system. The ARE should remain under 1kg for a group 1 UAS and 3kg for a group 2 UAS. The ARE should be colored to maintain a low visual signature. The ARE should be adaptable to multiple UAS systems or easily configured to a specific system. Keywords: acoustic rainbow emitter(s); signature management; UAS; Drone silencing; acoustic signature reduction; acoustic signature;