A Journey into Unmanned Systems

Research: Automatic Takeoff and Landing The two aircraft in this research have the capability of performing automatic and takeoff and landing maneuvers. The two types of aircraft being discussed are a manned Hawker-Siddely Trident and the Predator B unmanned aircraft system with complementary automatic systems. The Hawker-Siddey Trident is able to perform the automatic maneuvers thru the installation of a system which enabled the aircraft to land automatically. The system is described by Century of Flight (n.d.) “An interesting feature of the Trident was its use in the development of a completely automatic blind landing system. This allowed the plane to land itself in conditions that would cause other planes to divert to other airports” (Century of Flight, n.d., para. 11). Conditions which would be detrimental for aircraft landing are high crosswinds, or low visibility weather. The automatic system used in the Trident was a beneficial technology used by the pilots for landing in ...

MQ-1B Shift Rotation Analysis The current shift schedule of the MQ-1B Squadron of The United States Air Force, is one that is not beneficial for the crews. As stated the crewmember have reported extreme fatigue during missions operations and have also complained of inadequate sleep as a result of the current schedule. These two indications alone are factors of concern and must be addressed. According to a remotely piloted aircraft study (2006) found unmanned remote pilots experienced “reported decreased mood and quality of life as well as increased fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and burnout relative to traditional aircrew from other high demand-low density" (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Study 2006, p. 33). The issues at hand have not yet elevated to the degree of encompassing all of the aforementioned factors, however, the preliminary effects introduced by the current work schedule could certainly progress whereby increasing the fatigue and stress each remote pilot is currently...

The Lockheed Martin Indago 2 unmanned aircraft system is able to perform operations categorized as Beyond Radio Line of Sight Operations (BRLOS). The Indago is able to perform Beyond Radio Line Of Sight Operations using a handheld interface, and is operable by a single operator/controller.  Additionally the interface utilizes touchscreen technology and is also water resistant, which further translates into an unmanned aircraft system which can perform during all types of weather conditions. The Indago is also easily carried in the trunk of a car or can be stored in its backpack carrying case for ease of transportation and deployment. Additionally the Indago interface provides the operator/controller the benefit of maneuvering the camera payload movement which provides an image which can be visually observed on the handheld interface screen. The Indago has a 40 to 50 minute operation time and is able to perform Beyond Radio Line Of Sight Operations thru the use of a long range an...

The FAA NextGen Project and Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems  Into The National Airspace System The Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen Program was designed to meet the ever increasing demands placed on the air transportation industry. The goals of the NextGen project seeks to combine the latest technology in order to assist aircraft utilizing our nations National Air Space in saving fuel costs, time, money, and introduce greater safety as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration “integrating a number of innovative technologies will enhance safety, shave minutes off all flight times, and clear the environment from unnecessary emissions” (FAA, 2013, 00:39). NextGen seeks to improve future aviation operation in the National Airspace System by reducing airline traffic disorganization in relation to time and takeoff flight delays on the tarmac and the runways. The savings in fuel will be realized by decreasing the idle time in which aircraft would be...