Improving and Modernizing Navy Shipyards Through Precise, Drone-Based Digital Twins and Autonomous Inspection

To enhance Navy maintenance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, improvements in asset inspection are essential. The maintenance industry has begun exploring drone technology to facilitate more frequent and precise asset inspections, thereby enabling condition-based maintenance. However, for a drone to be a viable inspection solution for regulated assets, it must possess specific characteristics:   1. Ease of Use and Safety: Drones should be user-friendly and safe to operate around large assets, even without the expertise of a professional drone pilot. 2. Consistent and Accurate Data: Drones must consistently collect high-quality data that truly represents the state of the asset. 3. Multiple Sensor Capabilities: Drones should be equipped with multiple sensors capable of gathering various types of data required for inspection. It should be possible to layer various types of sensor data on the shape model to satisfy various needs.   Near Earth Autonomy offers an autonomous inspection system, currently employed for aircraft inspection, meeting these criteria. The system incorporates lidar, a camera, and an inertial sensor in a compact package to support simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology. It rapidly creates 3D models of assets to acquire detailed sensor data from precise viewpoints. Regardless of the asset's location, orientation, or condition, the data remains consistent and accurate. Importantly, this autonomous solution can be easily operated by current maintainers, eliminating the need for advanced pilot licenses or accreditation.   Currently, this solution is deployed to inspect C-17s at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Hawaii under a joint Navy/Air Force program and at the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh. It has reduced inspection time by over 50%, digitizing data and promoting advanced analytics and collaboration throughout the fleet. The technology has successfully created 3D models of large aircraft like C5s, KC-135s, KC-46s, and 737s. Additionally, it has been deployed on an autonomous drone to create photorealistic models of Guardian Center, a first responder training site in Georgia. Near Earth Autonomy proposes extending this solution to Navy Assets, commencing with surface ships. The project aims to develop a comprehensive proof-of-concept solution suitable for ship inspection, both dockside and elsewhere. Extensive user and use case research will be conducted to determine the necessary product requirements and roadmap for seamless integration into the Navy maintenance workflow.   Upon project completion, Near Earth Autonomy will demonstrate a prototype autonomous drone inspection system on a surface ship or representative asset. The company will also outline plans for advancing the product and technology to facilitate faster inspections, accurate data collection, and data-driven inspection and maintenance procedures across the Navy.