Kringstad Iron Works of Hoople, N.D. has teamed with students and faculty from the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines to build and test a prototype hydraulic power unit designed to launch drone targets for the U.S. Army.

The $517,000 project is being funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and will be constructed at Kringstad's plant located outside of Hoople, N.D. The project is scheduled to be complete in October.

PROJECT BACKRGOUND:
In 2002 the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines (SEM) was approached by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Targets Group to investigate the possible redesign of a drone target launching system. Currently drones are launched by attaching a rocket bottle to the bottom of the drone and activating the bottle to propel the drone to a specified speed and altitude, where the drone rocket motor can take over. Since this system is expensive to operate, extremely hazardous, and requires a great deal of manpower support, the OSD Targets Group inquired whether this system could be replaced by a mechanical launching system.

SEM decided to undertake the redesign project and offered the opportunity to groups of senior engineering students from mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. The project goal was to study, design, develop drawings, and prepare specifications for a new launch system. The student design groups were under the supervision of Professor Ralph Johnson, with assistance from Dr. Joel Ness, Dr. Dave Heckman, and Dr. Donald Moen. Over the course of the project, administrative assistance was provided by Cathy Jones.

Throughout the past two school years, engineering design meetings were held with representatives from OSD Targets Group, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and drone missile contractors to discuss and review the UND engineering students' approach and solution to the redesign. UND engineering students and faculty visited Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, and Point Mugu Naval Station in California to gather data and ideas. Students and faculty also visited Washington, D.C. on two occasions to present designs to defense and contactor personnel.

After developing and evaluating several options, UND's final design was completed in May 2004. The mechanical launch power unit is 47 feet long, 16 feet tall and 12 feet wide. It is capable of reeling in 460 feet of rope, which pulls the drone target up the ramp for take off. At the end of 460 feet the 2500 pound drone target will be traveling at a speed of 250 miles per hour. As the drone leaves the launcher, its onboard engine will power it the rest of its mission. The launcher is called HARBAT, which stands for hydraulically actuated reversible block and tackle assembly.

The hydraulic pistons are powered upwards to pull in rope from the right hand side while releasing rope to the left hand side. To reset the system the middle rack of sheaves just needs to be powered downward by the hydraulic cylinders.

The UND design was reviewed by a board of U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force engineers, and was chosen to be prototyped. UND student engineers then sourced out drawings/specifications, and identified possible suppliers for the required materials needed to build the power unit.

The students involved with the UND Senior Design Project over the past two years, by hometown, include:

NORTH DAKOTA: BISMARCK -- Trevor Ghylin, Michael Johnson, Weston Petryszyn; EDGELEY -- Craig Brown; GRAND FORKS -- Lindsay Dvorak, Christopher Loraas; JAMESTOWN -- John Dardis; McVILLE -- Joshua Messner; MINOT -- Christopher Erickson; THOMPSON -- Peter Letvin, Scott Loiland; VALLEY CITY -- Jarrod Schell;

MINNESOTA: BAGLEY -- Barrett Jesness; HIBBING -- Kyle Nystrom, Michael Madzey, Connor McCue; NEW YORK MILLS -- Tanner Goeson.

Kringstad Iron Works was awarded the contract to build the power unit prototype after a competitive bidding process in late spring. The project will simply test the power unit, and a ramp will not be constructed.

"This is a good example of how the University can work with students to develop an idea, and have a North Dakota contractor build the product here in North Dakota," said Dr. John Watson, dean of the UND School of Engineering and Mines. "If the project proves to be successful there may be additional benefits to the contractors in the state of North Dakota."

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