Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

An acute need exists to find surrogate sensor solutions to train our Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance aircrews for deployed sensor management responsibilities. Due to operational restrictions, limited home-station training resources, and cost inefficiencies, training with actual partner airborne assets is not possible. The purpose of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) to act as deployed sensor surrogates and affordably enhance sensor management training at home station. The proposed solution enables the training unit to hand-launch an ARES group II sUAS with Trillium HD40 sensor, establish a video uplink with an airborne ISR platform, and send encrypted video feed (controlled by an instructor) to the airborne asset, in support of the unit’s existing mission readiness training exercises. A commercial version of this solution is in demand and in development for use in the oil and gas industry as well as the Department of the Interior to augment aerial coverage for emergency response and crisis management as well as preventative maintenance.