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...

The Blog Post for this assignment centers on the use of UAV’s and its growth in the field of precision agriculture. The use of UAV’s is currently being used to replace previous methods of monitoring crop health thru land surveying, and data recording. The previous methods of land surveying were first performed by physically walking and observation. The advancement of surveying continued by introducing horseback, then machinery such as automobiles, and finally manned aircraft. Recently, the use of unmanned air vehicles have become a tool of interest. The UAV introduced the benefits of performing the task at a lower cost than previous methods and was also performed the task with accuracy and efficiency. The use of land surveying/crop measurement software is installed within the UAV payload to produce crop data images based on a wide array of measurement parameters established by the operator using the software, and a computer. The software can be used to measure varying forms of data ...

Collision Avoidance Via Sense and Avoidance The legislative requirements established by The Federal Aviation Administrations’ policy on UAS collision avoidance cover both operator/pilot and technological requirements. The operator/pilot must operate the UAS safely as stated in the Civil Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Roadmap into the National Airspace System and formally in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations section C.2. Furthermore the Federal Aviation Administration states the actions for operator/pilot must display safe operation practice and knowledge in order to prevent a collision, and meet minimum qualifications as stated by the FAA or the Department of Defense. The summary is stated by the FAA as follows: At the core of these policies is the concept that each aircraft is flown by a pilot in accordance with required procedures and practices. This same policy applies to UAS. Regulatory standards need to be developed to enable current technology for unmann...

  UAS Strengths and Weaknesses The UAS mission I am comparing between military and civilian platforms are that of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). The military platform could employ the use of a RQ-20B Puma by AeroVironment. The Puma according to AeroVironment is comprised of the following features: “360 degree gimbal, EO, IR, camera, IR Illuminator, 20km range, 3.5+ endurance hours, 500ft AGL, hand and rail launching, autonomous or deep stall landing” (AeroVironment, 2017). The police platform would be comprised of the Vanguard ShadowHawk. The ShadowHawk contains the following options within its platform: “full autonomous operation, electro-optical camera, Infra-red capability, nighttime sensors, 15km range, 3hour endurance (depending on payload), and a transportable GCS with complimentary travel case” (Vanguard, 2017). The strengths and weaknesses between both platforms are derived from the endurance offered and by power regeneration. The Puma provid...

Sense and Avoid Sensor  The scope of this research project will provide detail for a currently available sense and avoid sensor for small Group 1 or Group 2 (less than 55 pounds) UAV vehicles. The sensor package offering submitted in this research is provided by the company DJI makers of the well-known Phantom series of small UAV’s. The system has been given the name “Guidance System” by DJI. The company has been known for offering a well manufactured sUAV’s for sale in the marketplace, and in the opinions of many sUAV operators, set the standard by which sUAV’s are measured against. The Guidance System has been offered since June of 2015, but the system still performs and offers premium capabilities for the sUAV operator looking to add an additional upgrade to their current system. According to DJI the Guidance System is the company’s first introductory sense and avoid system to become available to the public. Amato states: Using an array of ultrasonic sensors and stereo ca...

MQ-9 Reaper Control Station Analysis The MQ-9 Reaper Ground Control Station is located within what can be described as a boxcar or trailer box shaped shelter or portable building. Inside the GCS the temperature must remain within a pre-determined degree level in order to keep electronics within the GCS from overheating. There are aircraft seats mounted in front of computer monitors in which a pilot, and crew will be seated in order to visually monitor the flight performance of the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Air Vehicle. The pilot and crew control stations are comprised of several monitors which track various systems of the UAV such flight path, sensors, aircraft systems conditions, and area of interest. Also of interest are the headphones for communication and an eraser board located next to crew for taking notes and performing calculations during missions. Further information displayed on the monitors are buildings, people, vehicles and many other objects which can be viewed for fur...