The Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Decking Risk Reduction Test Approach

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1 The Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Decking Risk Reduction Test Approach Authors: Dino Cerchie Mark Hardesty Roger Hehr Jason Graham

2 Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) Rapid prototyping test platform for developing and deploying game changing technologies and capabilities for VTOL UAS Militarized air vehicle with combat proven capability and reliability Optionally piloted capability speeds development, reduces risk, timeline and cost Allows for more focus on UAV payloads, CONOPS and overall system performance Began flight testing in Sept 2004 and has logged over 1200 flight hours of accident free UAV technology related flight testing

3 ULB Design Approach Decouples platform, payloads, comm link and GCS development Comm link is not flight critical Testing can be very focused to isolated objectives Iteration timelines significantly reduced

4 MPG ppt Defense, Space & Security Boeing Military Aircraft ULB Demonstrated Capabilities Flight Tested Capabilities since 2004 Ship-based navigation EO / IR / LD integration Comm Relay Frigate Integration SIGINT Cargo Re-supply STANAG 4586 GCS Tactical flight profiles Unmanned flight CASEVAC Autonomous Sensor Cueing Manned-unmanned teaming MPG ppt MPG ppt Demonstrated Capabilities One-person GCS Cued EO / IR / LD Unmanned Resupply Ship-based navigation MUM Teaming Precision Landing CASEVAC SIGINT Comm Relay COMC2 Frigate Integration Mature, reliable and operational UAV available today 4

5 Test Cockpit Provides crew with situational awareness both the external environment and UAV system operation Allows for rapid conversion from UAV unmanned mode to normal manned mode of flight Allows for UAV system operation gain changes in the cockpit Test pilot is critical to the development process better situational awareness and system performance relative to data stream and EO/IR sensor downlink

6 Decking Approach Simplified Approach Convert flight profile from earth referenced to ship referenced reduced GCS workload Provide navigational data and solution relative to desired landing position on deck Account for ship motions when landing to safely deck within aircraft s design limits

7 Earth to Ship Dual Navigation Solution MD900 & YO-3A precision formation flight for noise research LASER range finder and alignment stripes 1 st generation of a precision dual-platform relative navigation solution NovAtel OEM-4 SPAN 2 nd generation NovAtel SPAN-SE Thales MAGIC ATOLS system (GNSS free) operational in Watchkeeper UAV Thales MAGIC ATOLS increased capability to handle ULB VTOL UAVs

8 New Test Development Build-Up Tools Fixed Flat Surface Stationary Platform Sloped Surface Motion Table

9 Development Tools Trailer Landing Pad Motion Table Testing

10 Test Build-up View through MX-15 on approach View on approach Landing to sloped dirt Landing to trailer

11 Initial Ship Testing Test Highlights 7 days of ship-based testing 14 complete autonomous missions from take-off to landing 20 total flight hours Single ground control station operator 3 months from go-ahead to completion of testing Novatel and LPD fully integrated Aircraft secured to deck USN LPD system GCS station Autonomous Landing Sequence

12 Risk Management Test Conduct Stand alone fire system WOD & deck motion limit monitoring Boeing fire/crash rescue team Test team situational awareness in the command center

13 Recent Ship Testing Guepratte (France) View through EO/IR on approach Approach to decking location Descent to Deck Safely on Deck

14 Summary Known, proven test platform Break the new and high risk technologies into manageable parts Develop isolated tests for each risk or new technology area Develop sound test plans and approaches and put in place failure contingencies Assemble the pieces for the final objective