Mojave Pod: Rapid Design and Manufacturing for Supersonic Aerial Observation
Background & Need
The driving force behind this modification was a critical limitation in the customer’s existing approach and limited/cost-prohibitive existing industry solutions: camera footage was being captured from inside the flight deck, requiring viewing through the curved and often scratched canopy. This not only degraded image quality significantly, but also necessitated a second crew member to operate the equipment—limiting video capture to aircraft with dual-seat configurations.
Our solution: Modify KIHOMAC’s MXU-1072/A Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Pod into an externally mounted observation platform capable of recording and broadcasting high-quality video to the pilot without relying on aircraft power or additional crew.
My Role
As tech lead and lead test engineer, I was responsible for the technical direction and hands-on execution of the project. My contributions included:
● Designing structural modifications, including windowed doors for observation, internal mounts for camera systems that included vibration damping.
● Drafted all mechanical drawings (8 in total) - setting a baseline configuration and inspection criteria that became a key resource during rapid development.
● Working with our outstanding wire harness manufacturing team to create a fully independent power system including custom wire harnesses, battery banks, breaker boxes, and supporting our customers power requirements for cameras and broadcasting equipment.
● Supported the installation of a flight recording system that monitored stress in the composite structures, acceleration data, and temperature measurements throughout the pod.
● Supported 6 test flights over the course of 2 months.
Flight Test Support
In addition to my design responsibilities, I provided extensive on-site flight test support, traveling to Naval Air Station Point Mugu and Mojave Air and Space Port for a total of five trips. While there, I supported:
● Initial fit-check and associated documentation
● Pre/post-flight inspections
● Pod setup and configuration
● Aircraft integration and loading procedures
All six test flights were conducted using an F-1M Mirage, providing an ideal platform to validate performance across a range of flight conditions—including three supersonic flights.
Results & Impact
Despite an extremely compressed timeline—just 33 business days from kickoff to first flight—the project met all performance and schedule goals. The Mojave Pod flew successfully on all missions, delivering a platform capable of high-quality video, while proving its value as a crew-independent, platform-flexible observation system.
The success of this program not only solved an immediate operational challenge, but also laid the groundwork for future KIHOMAC external payload capabilities. Reconfigurable payload, independent from aircraft power, with remote monitoring; I’m excited to see where the Mojave Pod goes next and the impacts it will have for future programs.
Huge thanks to KIHOMAC, VisionAero, Boom Supersonic, and the large team that collaborated to make this all possible.
KIHOMAC Article:
At KIHOMAC, I led the design and test efforts for a fast-paced engineering initiative to modify our MXU-1072/A Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Pod —originally an internal cargo solution for the F-35—into an externally mounted, supersonic capable, independently-powered observation system.