REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (March 11, 2019) -- Dr. Mark Robeson, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center, was part of a team issued the first patent of the year for the center in early February.
Patent number 10,199,745 was issued for an omnidirectional antenna system, resulting from the Integral Driveshaft Cover Antenna, a CCDC Aviation & Missile Center/ Boeing technology development project.
The government is continuously seeking improvements in technologies utilizing different technology transfer mechanisms, according to Cindy Wallace, CCDC Aviation & Missile Center deputy chief of research and technology applications. "In this case, the method used was through a technology investment agreement, or TIA," said Wallace. This particular patent, awarded by the Department of Defense, allows the government to maintain certain rights in this invention.
The outcome of the IDCA project was a structurally-integrated antenna system, whose key components are sandwiched in a composite panel for durability. The proof-of-concept article represented the front and rear fairings, the structures that cover gaps between parts on an aircraft, of a helicopter vertical tail fin, though potential applications are widespread. "Expected benefits would include improved durability, improved antenna performance, reduced weight, reduced drag, and reduced operations and sustainment costs," explained Robeson.
Robeson, CCDC Aviation & Missile Center's Aviation Development Directorate structure technical area lead, is one of four inventors on the patent. The other inventors are Boeing engineers, Ronald O. Lavin, Andy H. Lee, and Glenn T. Pyle.
Robeson has over 28 years of research and development experience in advanced aircraft structures, and heads the execution of the ADD structures science and technology portfolio.
"In my opinion, creativity and innovation are calling cards of good engineers," said Robeson. "As good ideas are developed and matured, I encourage engineers to document these advances in conference papers, internal government reports, and even patent submissions."
Robeson also serves as the acting ADD platforms focus area lead. He is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, and a masters and doctorate degrees in engineering mechanics.
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The CCDC Aviation & Missile Center, formerly known as the Aviation & Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), is part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, which conducts responsive research, development and life cycle engineering to deliver the aviation and missile capabilities the Army depends on to ensure victory on the battlefield today and tomorrow. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, CCDC leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our Nation's wars and come home safely. CCDC is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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