ENGINEERING. PRACTICE. POLICY.
55
unmanned systems
inside
January/February 2016
The University of
North Dakota is co-
lead on the beyond
line-of-sight study. It
will use a framework
developed by the
research team
to help f ight test
different sense and
avoid technologies.
Pictured Clockwise
from lower right:
A portion of the
University of North
Dakota's f ight
training f eet, a
Draganf yer X6 on
a research f ight
in support of local
law enforcement,
a ScanEagle
being mounted
to its launcher in
preparation for a
f ight, a ScanEagle
being prepped for
launch.
They will also look at systems proposed
by NA SA a nd the Defense Depa r tment ,
A SSUR E Executive Director G en. James
Poss said.
"We'll be looking, for example, at what the Air
Force is doing with its ground-based sense and
avoid radar," Poss said, "and whether we can
fuse that with what NASA is doing with its sys-
tems to make a single system that is safer than
the sum of its parts."
The researchers will want to determine
just how far out a proposed technology will
be able to see other aircraft, Askelson said.
"What are the limitations of that technol-
og y and the probability of detection—how
often might it miss something? It's those
kinds of data that we're after," he told Inside
Unmanned Systems.
In the cases of onboard systems they'll be
looking at size, weight and power and—for all
the systems they test—cost.
"We've got an evaluation process that those
research team leads will go through to look at
an idea that we take from industry to make sure
that it's a reasonable, feasible answer to prob-
lems—something we can implement," Poss said.
Though it will take a good deal of time,
Askerson said, the FA A ultimately wants to
use the research to develop standards for
small UAS detect and avoid.
"Once you have the standards then you know
as a producer what you have to be able to do;
what capabilities does your system have to
have," he said. "And then from that we can have
operating rules, limitations and guidelines for
this kind of operation."
Photos courtesy of University of North Dakota
We would love to
be able to test that
technology with the
idea that, if it proves
out, then you go to
the next step ."
"
–Henry Cathey, co-lead
researcher beyond line-of-
sight study, New Mexico State
University