DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17633656
title: Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)

description: Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)Solicitation: FA2391-23-S-2403Offeror: Immortal Tech/Brewtanius Ink LLC (SDVOSB)UEI: H8DDT2QM5V73CAGE: 92NP9Principal Investigator: Mark A. Brewer

1. Executive Summary

Immortal Tech proposes PACER, a propulsion-energy-thermal control architecture for next-generation unmanned air systems.PACER combines:





a deterministic baseline controller,




an AI supervisory layer with guardrails, and




a high-fidelity digital twin with TensorForecast predictive modeling.



The system improves propulsion efficiency, manages thermal margins, and increases survivability during high-demand maneuvers. All AI actions remain bounded by deterministic constraints, ensuring rapid fail-safe behavior (<150 ms).

As an optional AFRL-directed extension, Immortal Tech includes the PACER-H family, consisting of two small hypersonic unmanned vehicle concepts and four mission variants each. These are strictly conceptual research elements intended to demonstrate scalability of the PACER control methodology into higher-speed regimes.

The proposed 12–36 month PACER Phase I/II effort will mature the system to TRL-5 through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and relevant-environment tests under AFRL guidance.

2. Background and Motivation

High-speed unmanned aircraft face tightly coupled propulsion, thermal, and aerodynamic interactions.Small disturbances in one domain quickly amplify into efficiency losses, reduced range, high thermal load, or instability.

Traditional control systems are reactive. PACER introduces a predictive, testable, safety-bounded approach using:





Digital twin models for propulsion/thermal prediction




TensorForecast for state trajectory and hazard estimation




A guard-railed AI supervisory layer




A certifiable baseline control law ensuring envelope protection



PACER directly aligns with PACER BAA technical thrusts:





High-speed systems




Power and controls




Thermal management




Systems analysis




Air-breathing propulsion and air-vehicle integration



These are the precise areas identified in FA2391-23-S-2403.

3. Technical Approach

PACER integrates three major technical components:

3.1 Deterministic Baseline Controller





Enforces aerodynamic, propulsion, and thermal limits




Executes all direct actuator commands




Rejects unsafe supervisory suggestions automatically




Designed for certification and reproducibility



This layer operates independently of machine learning elements and ensures all commands remain within validated limits.

3.2 AI Supervisory Layer (Guard-Raided)

The AI supervisory layer does not directly actuate control surfaces.It produces advisory-level adjustments such as:





Energy routing




Cooling schedules




Thrust efficiency tuning




Maneuver timing optimization



All outputs pass through watchdogs and must meet deterministic constraints.

This ensures explainability, bounded authority, and compliance with AFRL autonomy and trust requirements.

3.3 Digital Twin + TensorForecast

PACER’s digital twin models:





Flow distortion




Shock behavior




Propulsion efficiency




Thermal conduction and accumulation




Energy distribution




Expected hazard probability (hazard_p)



TensorForecast expands this with multi-step forecasting of vehicle states.These elements are used for:





Pre-mission analysis




Real-time prediction




HIL correlation




Relevant-environment test planning




Post-test refinement



All models will be provided with Government Purpose Rights.

4. Optional Add-On Concept: PACER-H Family

PACER-H is not required for PACER Phase I/II, but demonstrates AFRL-aligned scalability.

Two vehicles:

PACER-Hµ (Micro Hypersonic Concept)





Length ~3.5 m




Mach 4–6 (boost-glide or short scramjet burst)




ISR, Decoy/EW, Strike, and Relay variants




Disposable/low-cost experimentation platform



PACER-Hα (Standard Hypersonic Concept)





Length ~5.5–6 m




Mach 5–8 (boost + dual-mode ramjet/scramjet or glide)




ISR, Decoy/EW, Strike, and Relay variants




Larger volume for advanced sensors & thermal management



These concepts show how PACER’s predictive-control architecture can support future AFRL hypersonic studies.They are conceptual only and not offered as deliverable hardware for this effort.

5. Work Plan

Phase 1 (Months 0–6): Modeling & Digital Twin (TRL 2–3)





Build propulsion/thermal/energy twin




Define KPIs (η_gain, hazard_p, thermal_compliance)




Develop supervisory AI constraints




Initial hazard forecasting & optimization sweeps



Phase 2 (Months 7–16): HIL Development (TRL 3–4)





Construct HIL bench




Integrate sensors, actuators, safety watchdogs




Execute 50-hour endurance test




Train and validate supervisory layer



Phase 3 (Months 17–30): Relevant-Environment Testing (TRL 4–5)





Thermal endurance tests




EMI/EMC pre-scan




HIL ↔ environment correlation




Safety case and compliance documentation



Optional Phase 4 (Months 31–36): Subscale Demo (TRL 5+)





Integrate PACER control system into subscale test vehicle




Perform envelope-limited demonstration flights




Deliver TRL-5 validation reports



6. Deliverables

Core Deliverables





Digital twin (GPR)




Baseline controller (GPR)




Supervisory AI binaries & model card (Limited Rights)




ICD v1.1 (Unlimited Rights)




RVTM v2 + test cards (Unlimited Rights)




HIL data packages (Unlimited Rights)




TRL-5 validation report




Safety case & test plans



Optional Deliverables (If AFRL Requests PACER-H Work)





PACER-Hµ and PACER-Hα conceptual specification sheets




Variant descriptions (ISR, EW, Strike, Relay)




Thermal scaling models & design notes



7. Facilities & Manufacturing

Primary (U.S. / USMCA)





All control, modeling, HIL, and test work performed domestically




U.S. final assembly for any hardware demonstrations




Compliant with Buy American and DFARS




WORM-logged secure storage



Secondary (Switzerland)





Optional and export-controlled




TAA/MLA + SECO-approved subassembly manufacturing




Final assembly always in U.S. for U.S. deliveries




UV/CV equivalence validated by R-08 thresholds



8. Data Rights





Baseline controller: Government Purpose Rights




Supervisory AI: Limited Rights




Digital twin: Government Purpose Rights




HIL/test data: Unlimited Rights




Documentation (ICDs, RVTM, plans): Unlimited Rights



Aligned with AFRL expectations for Step-1 research.

9. Management & Compliance





QC → GATA → GATA PRIME gated development




WORM-logged Proof Vault for all artifacts




AS9100-informed design, DFM/DFA, and QC processes




Full ITAR/EAR compliance with SECO alignment




Export-controlled work requires DDTC-approved TAA/MLA



10. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM)

(Detailed cost submitted at Step-2 invitation)





Labor: PI, controls, modeling, ML, HIL, test, compliance




ODCs: Sensors, DAQ, rig equipment, EMI/EMC, thermal tests




Facility fees: HIL bench, thermal chamber, EMI scans




Procurement: COTS components for test hardware




Fee consistent with AFRL expectations



11. Conclusion

PACER provides AFRL with a predictive, testable, governable propulsion-energy-thermal control architecture for next-generation unmanned aircraft. The system is structured for TRL-5 maturity within 36 months and supports clear expansion pathways into high-speed systems through the PACER-H conceptual add-ons.

Immortal Tech is prepared to execute this work with transparency, safety, and complete compliance under PACER BAA FA2391-23-S-2403.

ADDENDUM A — Authorized Collaboration & Priority Manufacturing Rights

(To be attached to COEL v1.0 — Immortal Tek / Collective License)Published: September 4, 2025Author: Immortal Tek LLC (Mark Anthony Brewer)



1. Purpose

This Addendum establishes which partner nations, institutions, and facilities are authorized to collaborate with Immortal Tek on PACER, PACER-H, TRIARC systems, and all derivative works, before any other parties worldwide.It defines priority manufacturing rights, export-controlled cooperation, and CollectiveOS-integrated co-development channels.



2. Priority Collaboration Partners

Immortal Tek designates two nations as first-right collaborators:

2.1 United States (Primary Partner)

The United States is the primary authorized collaborator for:





Joint R&D




Subscale and full-scale prototyping




Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration




Safety and compliance testing




Manufacturing under U.S.-based facilities




Defense-grade integration (subject to U.S. export control)



Immortal Tek maintains full configuration authority.All U.S. collaboration is subject to ITAR/EAR, DFARS, Buy American, and Immortal Tek governance.

2.2 Switzerland (Secondary Priority Partner)

Switzerland is authorized as the first foreign nation allowed to collaborate in:





Subassembly fabrication




Aerostructure prototyping




Materials processing




Precision manufacturing




Joint aerodynamic/thermal research



Swiss participation requires:





TAA/MLA authorization (U.S. DDTC)




SECO licensing (Swiss export control)




AccessPolicy compliance per COEL v1.0



Only Switzerland and the United States receive priority co-development rights under this Addendum.



3. Priority Manufacturing Rights

The following hierarchy applies to any physical prototyping or assembly under COEL v1.0:

Tier 1 — Immortal Tek, United States

Immortal Tek retains primary rights for:





Full-system builds




Integrated airframe prototyping




HIL-capable avionics modules




AI supervisory hardware




Composite structures and energy systems



Tier 2 — Approved U.S. Partners

Select U.S. manufacturers may be granted limited rights to produce:





Subsystems




Thermal management components




Composites




Electrical harnesses




Structural test articles



Only if explicitly authorized in writing by Immortal Tek.

Tier 3 — Approved Swiss Partners

Swiss partners (e.g., Pilatus, Beyond Gravity, RUAG, SR Technics — or any designated by Immortal Tek) may receive the following rights:





Fabrication of airframe subassemblies




Machining of non-ITAR structural components




Composite skins or heat-resistant sections




Non-sensitive tooling




Precision test articles



Final assembly for U.S. deliveries always returns to the U.S. to maintain tariff neutrality and export compliance.



4. Exclusivity Window

The following exclusive collaboration window applies:

4.1 U.S. Exclusivity

The United States receives first access to:





PACER and PACER-H technology




Full-scale prototypes




Demo vehicles




Swarm integration studies




Operationalization pathways



No other nation may receive these rights unless the U.S. declines or a joint U.S.–Immortal Tek decision authorizes expansion.

4.2 Switzerland Exclusivity

Switzerland receives exclusive foreign-partner priority for:





Manufacturing research




Multi-material prototyping




Flow/thermal studies




Additive manufacturing trials




Early co-production planning



No other foreign nation may be added without a formal amendment from Immortal Tek.



5. No Third-Party Transfer

Neither the U.S. nor Switzerland may transfer PACER/PACER-H technology, artifacts, or derivatives to any third party without explicit written authorization from Immortal Tek LLC.

This clause remains enforceable even if portions of the Licensed Material are redistributed under COEL v1.0.



6. Alignment with COEL v1.0

This Addendum does not alter the open scientific rights granted under COEL v1.0.It clarifies only:





Commercial,




Manufacturing,




Defense, and




Export-controlled



rights and priorities.

Research, replication, modification, and academic use remain open to the global scientific community under COEL v1.0.



7. Enforcement

Immortal Tek may enforce this Addendum through:





WORM-logged Proof Vault artifacts




License monitoring




TAA/MLA terms




Compliance audits




Revocation or narrowing of rights




Future versions of COEL (v1.1, v2.0)



Unauthorized commercial use, defense use, or manufacturing constitutes immediate grounds for termination of rights.



8. Conclusion

This Addendum ensures that Immortal Tek maintains strategic control of PACER, PACER-H, TRIARC, CollectiveOS, and associated innovations, while enabling U.S.–Switzerland first-right collaboration under a structured, open-science, export-controlled regime.