SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The research team will investigate the integration of novel thermoplastic technologies and low-cost production techniques into an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle for commercial and defense applications. The vehicle provides a cost-effective solution for potential military (Air Force, Marines and AFMC), commercial travel (Uber, Charter, etc.), cargo delivery, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and logistics missions. Jaunt Air Mobility (www.jauntairmobility.com), selected by UBER in 2019 as their 6th partner under the Elevate Program, is developing the Journey, a 4 passenger all-electric eVTOL Compound Gyrodyne Air Taxi with thermoplastic composite as its primary structure. Triumph will model manufacturing fabrication and assembly processes for high-rate production scenario (~7 eVTOLs/day). The entire vehicle manufacturing process will be modeled to identify cost drivers. Target flow times & costs will be developed to achieve low-cost production objectives. Similar to the automotive industry, high rate industrial processes will be explored, including automated composite lamination, forming/stamping, and bonding/welding. Deliverable is a report with detailed manufacturing targets for Phase II.
