It can be difficult for a small SBIR firm to move through the Navy procurement process given its stringent contact award criteria and demanding technical review cycles. If the Navy SBIR contract is the company's main source of revenue while it is developing a technology, then there is added pressure to succeed in finding additional funding at the completion of the Phase II program.
The Navy recognizes these funding challenges and provides assistance to small businesses in transitioning their technology to the Fleet through the Navy Transition Assistance Program (TAP). A 2004-05 Navy TAP participant in this program, Ghetzler Aero-Power Corporation (GAPC) was facing just such a challenge at the completion of its Phase II contract in June 2005.
Founded in February of 2000, the company moved to its current 12,000 sq. ft. facility in 2003. The expanded headquarters and the company's ownership of a state-of-the-art wind tunnel (for use in design and testing activities), enhanced the company's capability to produce precision-engineered aerospace components for government and private-sector customers (ISO 9001:2000 Certified).
Awarded a $750,000 Phase II contract, in October 2003, the company was tasked to develop its patented Low-Drag Air Turbine Generator (LD-RATG) technology to power the EA-6B radar jamming pod (AN/ALQ-99). The objective of this contract was to develop a more cost-effective direct replacement for the external bladed ram air turbine generator (RATgen) that had been powering these jamming pods at that time. The program's major goals included reduction of overall drag induced by the combined ram air turbine and pod, improvement in reliability and safety, and reduction in maintenance and life-cycle cost.
This life-cycle costing issue was one of the primary objectives since existing generators require preventive maintenance operations every 250 hours. The target level of achievement was to yield a 6X improvement in the "mean time for maintenance" of 1,250-1,500 hours, which would result in a savings of $2.5M per year in maintenance expense over existing external RATgen systems. (The primary mission of the EA-6B Prowler is Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within the combat area).
As a culmination of the Navy TAP, the annual Navy Opportunity Forum® is held to highlight the technology progress of Navy SBIR Phase II firms. The Forum provides a venue for prime contractors, investors, key Navy personnel and the Navy SBIR Phase II firms to review the technical status of each project and to "make-the-market" for subsequent funding opportunities. Ghetzler Aero-Power presented their technology at the 2005 Forum, meeting with Boeing, Northrop Grumman and other primes to discuss its LD-RATG technology.
In preparation for the 2005 Navy Opportunity Forum®, Dr. Richard Ghetzler, the company's president and founder, emphasized the importance of defining the GAPC value proposition. "The TAP program focused our team on developing a comprehensive value proposition that defined our technology sector, specific Navy platforms and overall corporate capabilities. With the assistance of a dedicated Dawnbreaker portfolio manager, we were coached through a disciplined process that resulted in a very clear description of our technology and its application to specific Navy platforms. As a result, we had a very successful Forum."
Following the Forum, GAPC was selected by Boeing and Northrop Grumman as a teaming partner for their proposal related to the Air Force's B-52 Stand-Off Jammer. Additionally, the company has entered into discussions with business jet manufacturers in relation to the use of Ghetzler's emergency power system. The commercial and military success of the company led to $1.4M in equity funding to support the maturation of the technology.
The company has also received an $800,000 contract from Israel Aerospace Industries for an undisclosed application. GAPC is developing several versions of its technology for potential applications for both military and commercial aircraft which could be used to upgrade sensor systems for UAVs, provide emergency power for executive jets and as a power source for commercial aircraft defensive pods to defend against missile attacks. "I see future applications in commercial aircraft, dual-use emergency power systems and derivative applications in alternative energy. GAPC technology also has potential use in energy storage for hospitals, schools and commercial buildings," Dr. Ghetzler said. "We are also exploring the use of our technology in powering the UAV-based electronic surveillance systems being developed for DHS for use in monitoring the US' coasts and borders." Ghetzler Aero-Power is examining other the potential markets as well, said Dr. Ghetzler, "While our possibilities aren't limitless, they are broad and we will continue to examine potential markets as we move forward."
