Case Analysis Effectiveness

I believe the Case Analysis was very effective.  I did my research on Sense and Avoid technology and it was interesting to see the development of the technology over the years.  It is very evident that the addition of Sense and Avoid technology into UAVs would greatly increase the safety of implementing UAVs into the NAS.  The case analysis has opened my eyes to the challenges the FAA and pilots are facing with the recent surge in popularity of sUAS and the potential of mid-air collisions.  

In regards to my current line of work, the electronic and frequency aspects of the two systems that I examined helped me better understand some of the challenges they face in developing the systems.  In my future endeavors, I believe this case analysis will help me better understand the market needs for sUAS and their integration into the NAS.  It was very informative to understand that the systems that are currently implemented into manned aircraft have the potential to be developed to a point of feasibility for sUAS.  

I believe the FAA needs to focus on the different types, classifications, and applications of UAVs before setting standards and regulations on them.  I think that regulating UAVs across the board could lead to a stranglehold on the industry and restrict smaller manufactures to unobtainable standards.  It will be interesting to see what conclusion the FAA comes to in their roadmap to integrate the UAVs.  I also found it interesting to see just how much technology is out there.  

While cooperative air traffic technology is a great way to introduce SAA to UAVs, the electro-optic, infrared, and auditory sensors that are being developed have great potential.  The potential is there for a complimentary service, because I still believe that a fully cooperative air traffic system is the safest way of having an air system.  

I really don’t have any recommendations for the process or the project itself.  We do so many different types of papers throughout the degree; that I believe any research for a project is a step forward.  The student gets out of research and the project whatever they put into it.  I enjoyed this class and it has given me many ideas and strategies going forward in developing my own UAV manufacturing.

Request for Proposal

Summary:
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to design, develop, test, and implement an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that can assist in the Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts associated with avalanches.  Since the majority of avalanches involving victims occur on or around ski resorts, collaboration between the resort SAR staff and the UAS Company are crucial.  Design, development, and operations should all be discussed together in order for the SAR teams to consult their needs and real life experience that can make the UAS the most effective and efficient tool possible.  This UAS will be deployed as soon as possible after an avalanche to scan the disaster area for anyone buried and give visual aid to response crews to provide information before they arrive on scene.

Plan of Action:
The projected timeline is five years, with the Certificate of Authorization (COA) that has to be issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before testing can begin, being the most time consuming.  The company will utilize a Dual Vee Model methodology in order to better manage the subsystems within the UAS.  Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components will allow the timeline and costs to be greatly reduced.  A modular airframe will be designed to allow for easy integration of new technologies and payloads; extending the lifeline of the airframe and reduce the need of training users on new aircraft.

Requirements:
1.      Air Vehicle Element
1.1.    Shall be weatherproof
1.2.    Shall be easily deployed by hand
1.3.    Shall be able to maintain flight over a specific point (hover over victim)
1.4.    Shall be quick enough to beat crews to the disaster site to provide information before their arrival
1.5.    Shall be able to fly in high winds/gusts
1.6.    Shall be able to operate in below freezing temperatures
2.      Command & Control (C2)
2.1.    Shall be able to fly in a constellation of other UAVs
2.2.    Shall be able to operate from anywhere on the mountain
2.3.    Shall be able to run SAR pattern algorithms autonomously
2.4.    Shall be able to proceed back to searching once a victim is identified
2.5.    Shall continue with search algorithms, collecting data, if data link is lost
3.      Payload
3.1.    Shall be able to detect a victim under 10 feet of snow
3.2.    Shall be able to provide location of target within one foot
3.3.    Shall be able to relay data to multiple crews simultaneously
3.4.    Shall provide a live visual of disaster area

Testing Requirements:
1.      Air Vehicle Element
1.1.    Test weatherproofing with submersion test
1.2.    Test hand launching capabilities
1.3.    Verify the UAV can maintain visual of specific location
1.4.    Verify UAV flight time is quicker than SAR crews response time
1.5.    Test flight in high winds and freezing temperatures
2.      Command & Control (C2)
2.1.    Test flying multiple platforms in the same airspace
2.2.    Test range across mountainous terrain
2.3.    Test algorithms to ensure correct patterns are flown
2.4.    Verify UAV continues operation after identifying target
2.5.    Verify resumption of autonomous flight plan when lost link
3.      Payload
3.1.    Verify heat signatures can be detected through 10 feet of snow
3.2.    Verify accuracy of target location
3.3.    Verify data link between multiple ground crews is successful
3.4.    Verify camera displays sufficient visuals

UAS Mission

One application that could greatly benefit from the implementation of UAVs is search and rescue operations, specifically avalanches.  There were 24 deaths in the US in 2012-2013 season and 26 deaths so far in 2013-2014 season (CAIC, n.d.). As the global climate changes, so do the conditions on the mountains. Furthermore, the number of riders/skiers is increasing each year. The risk to rider ratio is becoming increasingly dangerous. Most ski resorts take precautions like controlled explosions and required safety gear for backcountry riding, but disaster can strike at any time. When an avalanche occurs, the mountain patrols react very quickly and are trained for specific procedures to follow. The biggest factor in determining if a victim of an avalanche will be rescued safely is time. Avalanche victims commonly suffocate to death as the snow packs in tight around them each time the victim inhales. So as soon as the avalanche engulfs the victim, the clock starts.

The way a UAV can benefit the rescue workers is by providing specific locations of victims, so the rescue workers can pinpoint their efforts.  When an avalanche hits, it covers all tracks and any trace of where the victim might be. Methods of finding victims include using dogs, stick probes, and technology. Dogs are the most common form since they are quick and have a high success rate, but they are expensive to train and house. Stick probes have a 70% chance of finding a victim, but the process is tedious and often too slow to save the victims life (unknown, n.d.). While technology like GPS can help locate lost skiers/snowboarders, the systems don’t work well under snow. Crews utilize helicopters to transport crew to the site quickly and carry a beacon responder aboard incase the victims are carrying a beacon, but even the beacons don’t work as fully intended.

A UAV fleet will allow crews to dispatch their aircraft(s) to the avalanche site on a moment’s notice and begin search operations with a preprogrammed algorithm while rescue crews gear up and travel to the site.  By utilizing specific sensors to detect a human presence under snow, the UAV can locate the victim and relay the coordinate data and video feed to the rescue team. The largest benefit is the speed of deployment and travel time which allows the UAV to transmit data back to the crew before they even reach the site. Additional considerations for applications on the mountain could be sensors aboard constantly flying UAVs that can interpret data for potential avalanches. This could alert the mountain staff of a potential threat before the incident can occur.

Three platforms that I believe could accomplish this task are: Microdrone’s md4-1000, Aerovironment’s Puma AE, and Anthea Technologies Huginn X1. The md4-1000 is a four prop copter capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) that has flight duration of up to 88 minutes (Microdrones, n.d.). Even though the md4-1000 is only able to travel at 15 m/s the helicopter style design allows this UAV to remain stationary over a specific area; allowing it to remain over a victim until help arrives. Much like the md4-1000, the Huggin X1 is also a quad copter. While the Huggin X1 does not have the duration of the md4-1000, only 25 minutes, the wind tolerance and payload capacity make up where it lacks (Anthea Technologies, n.d.). The Huggin X1 comes ready to use right out of the box, with a forward looking infrared camera (FLIR) already incorporated into the aircraft. The Puma AE also comes ready to use right out of the box. The Puma AE trumps the other UAVs in comparison in duration, speed, and payload capacity. The Puma AE can fly for up to 3.5 hours, at speeds up to 80 km/h, and with an optional under wing transit bay, it can increase payload capacity greatly (AVINC, 2013). The Puma AE is a fixed wing design that allows a faster, sturdier flight and can be launched by hand. It comes with a sensor suite that includes Electro-optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) cameras.

Personally I believe the Puma AE is the best suited UAV for the mission.  The speed and durability of the UAV allow the rescue crew the chance to get the UAV to the site before they arrive and in any weather conditions. Additionally, the optional increased payload bay allows the crews to implement new technology as it is released, saving costs in the long run. The legal and ethical questions that would arise from utilizing UAV technology for search and rescue applications are few and far between. The legal issue would be using a UAV for commercial purposes and an ethical issue would be search and rescue teams relying too much on the UAV. The UAV should be an extension to their search and rescue procedures already in place.

References 

Anthea Technologies. (n.d.). Technical Specifications. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from antheatechnologies.com: www.antheatechnologies.com/sky-watch-huginn-x1/huginn-x1-information/technical-specifications.aspx 

AVINC. (2013, October 11). Puma AE. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from avinc.com: http://www.avinc.com/downloads/DS_Puma_Online_10112013.pdf CAIC. (n.d.). 

U.S. Avalanche Accidents Reports. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from avalanche.org: www.avalanche.org/accidents.php 

Microdrones. (n.d.). Key Information of the md4-1000. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from microdrones.com: http://www.microdrones.com/products/md4-1000/md4-1000-key-information.php#what 

Unknown. (n.d.). Search and Rescue. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from pistehors.com: www.pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Avalanches/Search-And-Rescue