Challenges & Successes of using small Unmanned Aerial Systems

(sUAS) for Marine Resource Management

Todd Jacobs

NOAA UAS Program 8 May2014

NOAA UAS Marine Monitoring

Overview

–  NOAA and UAS – A Brief History –  Small UAS for Marine Resource Monitoring & Enforcement –  Successes and Challenges –  Looking Forward –  Discussion

NOAA Requirements for UAS

Missions that are: •  Dirty •  Dull •  Dangerous (Threat assessments) •  Denied or Impossible to get to and/or impossible to use a

manned aircraft (Low ceilings, etc.): –  Remote –  Unique mission requirements: o Smaller and quieter UAS don�t disturb animals as much as

a manned aircraft would o Stealth provides advantages for surveillance and

enforcement o Persistence o Better data resolution o Can be quickly deployed and positioned

NOAA and UAS

•  NASA Ikhana •  ScanEagle •  Manta

NOAA/NASA Aerosonde Hurricane Tests Launching into Hurricane Ophelia 2005

Manta in foreground and Silver Fox on Launcher

Insitu A-20 Scan Eagle Recovery

62

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Platform: ScanEagle (Boeing/Insitu)

Studying ice seals using a UAS 2009

Md4h1000& AQ1&

Quadrocopters

Marine Resource Monitoring

•  NOAA acquires 2 Puma UAS •  Development of protocols and procedures •  Missions:

•  Living Marine Resource Surveys •  Enforcement •  Habitat Mapping and Characterization •  Emergency Response •  Marine Debris •  USCG Arctic Support

AeroVironment Puma All Environment (AE)

Video data out to large monitor

Puma recovery

25 knot winds during recent exercise

Simulated seal and turtle

Hawaii Marine Debris testing 6/12

Marine Resource Monitoring

Blue Whale Tagging Support

Marine Resource Monitoring

Living Marine Resource Surveys •  Seabird Surveys

Marine Resource Monitoring

Living Marine Resource Surveys •  Pinnipeds

Marine Resource Monitoring

Habitat Mapping

Marine Resource Monitoring

•  Emergency Response •  Marine Debris

Marine Resource Monitoring

•  Arctic Support

Marine Resource Monitoring

Enforcement

Successes

•  Vessel launch and recovery •  Flight and data collection protocols •  Shallow water recovery •  Small boat ops •  Ship integration and ops •  Beach launch and recovery •  FAA COAs •  FAA MOU NOAA has established itself as a leader in utilizing small UAS for Marine Resource Monitoring

Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with Shipping Lanes,W-289 and W-412 Overlay

Today Questions to ask before committing to use a UAS? • Should I just rent a Cessna? (Cost, spontaneity, access) • Should I just bring binoculars? (Can I fly beyond VLOS)

There are significant costs and time associated with planning and process for COAs, etc. It was taking us ~80 hours of planning and teleconference time before flying our first hour of sUAS missions just last year. This is getting better with FAA MOA and established COAs (no flying BVLOS). sUAS is not better, faster or cheaper yet!

What do I want as a customer?

Missions vs. data buys

• If I am buying equipment and operating myself: • Systems that are certified, reliable, adaptable, durable, easy to operate & repair • Training and support • Repair services and high availability of spares

• If I am doing a �data buy�:

• Services that are competent and affordable • Data and products that meet my specifications

Military business model vs. commercial model for R&D and manufacturing

Documentation and certifications Easy user interfaces Develop �generic� payloads (high resolution optical, lidar, multi-spectral, etc.) on spec. to lead (or keep up with) emerging market offerings. Volume and sales margin vs. rate of return. It is easier to leapfrog someone else�s innovation Potential obsolescence of today�s state of the art equipment while waiting for the dam to break with the FAA sUAS rules Open architecture for payloads Real-time data needs (not a movie of the data, but the FMV and metadata in real-time) Single operator (Personnel costs)

Military business model vs. commercial model for R&D and manufacturing:

• Documentation and certifications (engineering and airworthiness) • Single operator (Personnel costs) • Simple user interfaces • Development of �generic� payloads on spec.:

• high resolution optical • Lidar • multi-spectral, etc.

• Real-time data needs (not a movie of the data, but the FMV and metadata in real-time)

Requirements for scientific & commercial market

eBee & Altavian

Special purpose UAS

Technological areas for development:

• Simplified user interfaces • �Easy button� interfaces to quickly ingest data into GIS systems to make maps and products •  Advances in compression technology to allow higher resolution imagery to stream with limited bandwidth, or the development of new schemes to aid in the transmission of data from point to point or to the Internet from remote locations

Data requirements and post processing

Latency and utility of data: •  Real time – Streaming Video and IR WITH telemetry required for queuing personnel and best for incident commanders (This goes back to data transmission and system architecture…) •  Recorded on board for characterization and post processing

•  Near-real time for populating maps such as ERMA, the COP for oil spills that USCG, NOAA & BSEE now use. •  Post processing after the fact to make maps, mosaics & data analysis

Challenges

•  The technology is ahead of the rules •  Current lack of spontaneity in deployment reduces utility •  Lack of dedicated non-DoD bandwidth for domestic operations •  Expanding bureaucracy domestically •  FAA airspace limits and uncertainty associated with when and what the new sUAS rules will allow •  Political concerns/public perceptions •  Policies

• Potential obsolescence of today�s state of the art equipment while waiting for the dam to break with the FAA sUAS rules • Volume and sales margin vs. rate of return. • It is easier to leapfrog someone else�s innovation

Concerns & Business Risk

After FAA sUAS rules �open up� the commercial space for sUAS operations and services will become more competitive:

• Market forces will be at play • Consolidation in the industry • There may not be enough demand for all of the overlapping offerings to make it. • Some sUAS manufacturers may be acquired for an algorithm, a piece of software or an interface… • Big potential rewards for those in the right place at the right time

The view from �below 1,200 AGL�