A Journey into Unmanned Systems

Functional Operation Analysis The Ground Control Station Functional Operation subject I have chosen to perform my analysis is on the MQ-9 Reaper. The Reaper is an extended mission UAS which performs mission such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), support, and weapons strike thru the use of its mounted missiles or bombs payload. The Reaper’s precision weapons inventory are described as “Air-to-Ground Missile (AGM)-114 Hellfire missiles which provide highly accurate, low collateral damage” (Air Force, 2015). An analysis made of the ground control station functional operation of the MQ-9 Reaper displays 14 monitors surrounding the pilot in control (PIC) or operator and the co-pilot or sensors operator. The monitor displays are arranged directly in front view of the operators and to the left of the pilot and to the right of the sensors operator. Measurements of the displays range in sizes from 10-inch to 17-inch screen sizes. The pilot and sensor controller ...

Blog: The Future of the UAS The future of weather forecasting by UAV is being made possible thru the introduction of new software which will enable UAV to accumulate data at lower altitudes. The name of this new software is Sferic Drone Flight and it was developed to provide “hyperlocal, low-altitude weather forecasting for drone operators” (Dent, 2017). Earth networks developed the software which will provide weather forecasts within altitudes between 10 to 400 feet. The 400 foot tier as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration will provide UAV operators, information such as wind speeds and direction. The information provided will enable operators to examine details during their pre-flight mission planning. The Sferic Drone Flight software is supported by the Global Weather Corporation which has weather sensors located in various countries. The future development of the software will entail an application which can be downloaded to an operator’s phone. The application will...