The Lockheed Martin Indago 2 : Beyond Radio Line Of Sight Unmanned Aircraft System


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 antennae kit which can be installed by the operator/controller. The long range antennae kit can be installed when the operator/controller wishes to utilize the Indago for long range Beyond Radio Line Of Sight Operation missions.
The Indago long range antennae utilizes satellites transmission in order to receive transmissions from the interface controller. The Indago also utilizes S-Band and military frequencies depending on the end customer utilizing the technology.
An additional benefit of the Indago is its ability to provide the operator/controller with interchangeable camera payload choices such as “electro-optic and infra-red and magnification power ranging from 30 to 10 times magnification” (Nordic, 2017).
Infrastructure needed to support the operation of the Indago consists of the operator, and the following according to Lockheed Martin specifications “handheld interface, radio frequency signal, antennae, satellite link, Kestrel 3 autopilot, virtual cockpit mapping interface, GPS, 4G LTE connectivity payload and flight stability modules” (Lockheed, 2017, p.1). It is also important to note that once the Indago is within the operator/controller line of sight Iridium satellite control is no longer necessary as the distance factor is now dictated by a closer range of communication mode.
Safety procedures to operate the Indago are found in the Indago flight operations manual. The Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 107-2 for Unmanned Aircraft Systems will also be used to operate safely within the National Airspace System.
Advantages of Beyond Radio Line Of Sight allows a greater degree of freedom for the user to conduct missions without having to maintain or keep a visual eye on the unmanned aircraft system thereby extending operations range.
The Beyond Radio Line Of Sight method of operation further prevents the operator/controller from being near a dangerous distance from an area or person of interest being investigated. Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance missions can also be conducted at a safe or non-discoverable distance.
 However, there are human factor issues which must be considered. Human factors issues which arise from Beyond Radio Line Of Sight Operations entail the use of the interface being used as stated by Marshall (2016) “In the area of human factors, human interface with the equipment and operating systems as well as crew resource management must be continuously monitored” (Marshall, 2016, p. 126).
Additionally, human factor issues would entail operator/controller interface screen recognition, operator action and responses to an emergency situation, and procedure and guideline performance actions when addressing issues that an unmanned aircraft system may encounter at a distance which is beyond visual line of sight.
Some applications which would encourage the private sector to pursue unmanned aircraft systems with this capability would be inspection of an area or assembly of interest. Examples of inspections performed would entail above ground pipeline inspection ranging from over a mile, or the inspection of a job site located at a considerable distance from a central office location. Another application would be city firefighting and state forestry departments performing aerial analysis of the direction of fire travel in order to safely evacuate or pre-plan firefighting measures. Police forces can use Beyond Radio Line Of Sight capability to perform aerial surveillance of an area or person of interest.
Furthermore, delivery companies can further use Beyond Radio Line Of Sight in order to perform package deliveries to homes or offices in a centralized location for pickup.

                   Lockheed Martin Indago 2. (2017). Reprinted                           
 from https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/
procerus/indago-uas.html


References

Lillian, B. (2017, June 1). Lockheed Martin Takes UAV Inspection Beyond Lind of Sight.Unmanned Aerial Online, Retrieved from https://unmanned-aerial.com/lockheed-martin-takes-uav-inspection-beyond-line-sight

Lockheed Martin. (2017). Procerus Technologies. Indago UAS, Retrieved from https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/procerus/indago-uas.html

Marshall, D. (2016). Operational Hazard Review and Analysis. Introduction to Unmanned
Aircraft Systems. Taylor & Frances. New York.

Nordic Unmanned. (2017). Lockheed Martin Indago 2 All Weather System, Nordic Unmanned, Retrieved from http://www.nordicunmanned.com/products/aerial/lockheedmartin-indago

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