SBIR/STTR Award attributes
This GasTOPS Inc. proposal is aimed at providing a high quality, low risk solution to the MQ-9 platform by providing an onboard engine health monitoring capability to support current and future missions. Currently there is a lack of wear monitoring capability for the Honeywell TPE331 propulsion system in the Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) which has caused a number of major aircraft failures. The TPE331 is the turboprop engine that drives the MQ-9 platform and employs a single lubrication system for engine bearings, reduction gears, propeller shaft bearings, and accessory drives.