Development of a Remote Sensor Deployment System for Expanded C4ISR Use of the C-130 Aircraft

Enhancing the capabilities of established airframes to meet expanded mission requirements is preferential to the design of specialized aircraft. The high cost associated with the research and development of a specialized aircraft platform has shifted the concentration towards the modification of existing aircraft to support multiple C⁴ISR missions. The recently developed Oculus sensor deployment system is one such example of this trend, providing a fully integrated aerial visual enhancement platform with multi-mission capabilities. This paper provides a short survey of the Oculus sensor pallet system and overviews some of the multiple guidelines used which ensure that various remote sensing technologies may be securely and simultaneously deployed. West Virginia University (WVU) was tasked with the design and construction of a fully prototyped and integrated two-pallet system to initially meet the needs of Counterdrug air-based sensor requirements with provisions for expansion and upgrade. The resulting design is a robust storable roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) two-palletized system. A listing of analyzed surveillance and reconnaissance technologies and missions is provided. A brief survey is conducted which examines the Lockheed Martin C-130 airframe as a prime candidate for surveillance and reconnaissance remote sensing expansion capabilities and concludes with the parameters of the Oculus system.