Statement of Capabilites

Advanced Projects Research, Incorporated (APRI) is a small, woman-owned business located at the Brackett Field Airport in eastern Los Angeles County. APRI has experience in the design and testing of experimental airbreathing propulsion systems and propulsion system components. APRI also has experience in the ground test of hypersonic propulsion systems and concepts. The product that we provide our customers includes hardware and design documentation to the level required by the customer. Our internal management systems include:

• Formal engineering method
• Configuration management system
• DCAA approved cost accounting system

We pride ourselves in the application of a formal engineering method. Our method is based on the system engineering method, which we have adapted to our goals of providing systems of moderate complexity to our customers. In our engineering approach, we start with the definition of customer requirements and work with our customers through the design and test process. This process includes the following steps:

• Requirements definition
• Conceptual design
• Detail design
• Prototype fabrication
• Testing

APRI has experience in the design of flow systems with and without combustion. Supporting test hardware such as cooling systems, gas and fuel delivery systems, electric power, and instrumentation systems have also been designed and implemented at APRI. To support the development and test of hardware, APRI can provide engineering services in the following areas:

• Flow path design
• Flow system design
• Combustor design
• Combustion system design
• Machine design
• Optical flow diagnostic systems

APRI is well equipped to perform design in our areas of expertise. We maintain proficiency in the use of several engineering simulation and design tools, which are used for system specification and design. They include:

• Pro/ENGINEER with Pro/HARNESS and Pro/PIPING modules
• Piping system analysis
• Chemical equilibrium codes
• Transient gas dynamics codes
• Propulsion system performance analysis
• Structural analysis (linear and non-linear finite element analysis)

APRI combines engineering offices, test laboratories and a capable machine shop on the same site, providing the flexibility needed to tackle all phases of product development. In addition to its own facilities, APRI has used government, university, and industry test facilities such as the Explosion Dynamics Laboratory and T-5 hypersonic wind tunnel at Caltech, the 38mm two-stage light gas gun at Titan Corporation's Impact Research Laboratory and the US Navy's Naval Air Weapons Center.

The staff at APRI includes a highly educated core of research and development engineers who are experts in the areas of fluid dynamics, combustion, aero propulsion and related disciplines. In addition, APRI staff includes engineers proficient in the design, fabrication/procurement, and test of physical hardware. Finally, where appropriate, APRI relies on a team of consultants who provide assistance in their areas of expertise as it is required by APRI.

In the process of designing and fabricating hardware and test articles for our customers, APRI relies on the tremendous vendor base available in Southern California and elsewhere. We have established working relationships with a large number of vendors of build-to-specification parts and commercial off-the-shelf items. Our established vendor base includes access to the following processes and services:

• Conventional and multi-axis CNC machining
• Heavy and sheet-metal fabrication
• Furnace, hydrogen, vacuum, induction, dip, and torch brazing
• MIG, TIG, electron beam, and laser welding/cutting
• Material heat treating
• Gun drilling
• Shaft, surface, and jig grinding
• Sinker and wire EDM
• Anodizing, painting, and plating
• Investment and sand casting, including rapid prototype pattern generation
• Metal stamping
• Electrical harness assembly

Contact Thomas Sobota, thomas.sobota@apri.com, to learn how APRI can meet your needs.