Research Assignment: UAS Beyond Line of Sight Operations

Gabriel P. Riccio

ASCI 638 Human Factors in Unmanned Systems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

3 February 2018

Research Assignment: UAS Integration in the NAS

Introduction

            The next big step in the advancement of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is the integration of commercial platforms into the National Airspace System (NAS) that operate beyond line of sight (BLOS).  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently developing regulatory strategies and developing draft regulations to facilitate commercial (BLOS) operations (Plaza, 2017).  Part of these strategies include the development of UAS detection and avoidance systems that allow the air vehicles to detect both static and moving objects within their flight environment (Plaza, 2017).  Most recently the Trump administration announced that it is instituting a program that will begin the integration of BLOS operations for commercial UAS (Margaritoff, 2017).  The purpose of this program is to develop legislation that allows governmental and commercial UAS entities to fly BLOS for such purposes as infrastructure inspections, emergency management operations, and the commercial delivery of packages (Margaritoff, 2017).  The current reality is that there are very limited and heavily restricted civilian BLOS UAS flight operations and most of that is for testing purposes.  The one organization that has been flying unmanned platforms BLOS for several years is the United States Department of Defense (DOD), and perhaps one of the most well-known and significant is the MQ-9 Reaper.

MQ-9 Reaper

            The MQ-9 Reaper is a military UAS designed to find enemy targets, track those targets, then destroy them (Beno, Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).  The Reaper is outfitted with a state of the art management system; it is a fully autonomous platform from take-off to landing without any human pilot control inputs (Beno, Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).  However, it is important to note that the systems ground control station (GCS) pilot can take control of the air vehicle at any time (Beno, Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).  The platform can be controlled via line of sight (LOS) or BLOS based on mission parameters.  LOS command and control is achieved by direct management using portable control (laptops and antennas) or the systems mobile GCS (Beno, Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).  For all BLOS missions, the mobile GCS must be used, see Figure 1 below (Beno & Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).

Figure 1. MQ-9 Reaper GCS. Reprinted from “Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle: MQ-9 Reaper” by V. Beno, F. Adamcik Jr., & K.  Slovakia, 2014, p. 6. Paper presented at International Conference of Scientific Paper.

The communication link for LOS operations is in the C-band spectrum while BLOS flight is achieved with Ku-Band in the ultra-high frequency range (Beno, Adamcik Jr., &, Slovakia, 2014).  The advantages of C-band frequencies are lower costs, wider communications coverage, and minimal effects from rain (Rambharos, 2014).  The disadvantages of C-band communications are the requirements of a large antenna with a higher power output, additionally, C-band frequencies can suffer from interference issues (Rambharos, 2014). Ku-Band frequencies require smaller antennas, do not need as much power as C-Band, and are resistant to interference; the two biggest disadvantages are the negative effects of rain and the beam footprint is very narrow (Rambharos, 2014).

Human Factors in BLOS Operations

            While operating the UAS within LOS, the pilot has “eyes on”, not only of the air vehicle but situational awareness of the operating environment.  When control is BLOS, the GCS pilot and sensor operator must completely rely on the GCS monitors for platform information. The pilot and sensor operator’s world is confined to sensory information transmitted to the GCS via the communications data link.  There is total reliance on automation and platform autonomy; therefore, it is imperative the two-person GCS personnel are able to understand and control their remote environment.

Future Commercial BLOS Operations

            As stated in the “Introduction”, the FAA is aggressively working to integrate commercial UAS into the NAS.  This integration will include UAS that operate BLOS.  There are many challenges yet to be solved in both airspace integration and technologies.  Military BLOS UAS operations take place in special airspace operating environments.  Commercial applications will have to overcome the challenges of effective “see and avoid” operations, along with effectively communicating with other aircraft and air traffic control.

References

Beno, V., Adamcik Jr., F. & Slovakia, K.  (2014, May). Unmanned combat air vehicle: MQ-9 Reaper. Paper presented at International Conference of Scientific Paper. Retrieved from http://www.afahc.ro/ro/afases/2014/forte/BENO.pdf

Margaritoff, M. (2017, October 24). Trump administration expands drone use to beyond visual line of sight. Retrieved from http://www.thedrive.com/aerial/15458/trump-administration-expands-drone-use-to-beyond-visual-line-of-sight

Plaza, J. (2017, January 30). Beyond visual line of sight O\operations: The next target for FAA regulation. Retrieved from https://www.expouav.com/news/latest/beyond-visual-line-sight-operations-next-target-faa-regulation/

Rambharos, A. (2014, October). Satellite communications [Power Point]. Retrieved from http://www.itso.int/images/stories/Capacity-Building/South-Africa-2015/Day2/A-JHB-D1-C-satellite-comms.pdf