Laser Technologies Adapted for UAS Sense and Avoid (SAA) Applications

ABSTRACT: Without the capability to sense and avoid other air traffic, UAS flights are limited to flight operations within restricted and warning areas unless the proponent obtains a Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA Order 7610.4 states that remotely operated aircraft must have an equivalent level of safety, comparable to see-and-avoid requirements for manned aircraft, to fly in the national air space. DRA"s SAA system, addresses this requirement usong passive electro-optic (EO) sensors to detect, track and alert on aircraft that appear on a collision course. The EO system does not provide accurate range information.. Without accurate range, the UAS may maneuver earlier or more aggressively than necessary. Range information can correct this problem.. In addition, with multiple aircraft in the area, range and range rate allow the SAA system to prioritize intruding aircraft, and to select the best maneuver. The LADAR can also provide other information to reduce the false alarm rate. The DRA Team will develop and demonstrate a prototype LADAR-Enhanced EO SAA System (LEOS). to show the benefits of adding an active, interrogating component to the passive EO SAA system. BENEFIT: Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development The DRA Team"s Phase II solution provides the following advantages and benefits. 1) Enabling technology for UAS access to the NAS, 2) Low SWaP, compact system compatible with the large UAS down to the tactical-sized UAS, 3) Low FAR SAA System, 4) Longer declaration range, 5) More information available to generate more timely, less aggressive avoidance maneuvers.