1

Todd GraetzDirector, Technology ServicesUAS Program / Advanced Train Operations

UAS Program

The elements of the program…

• Business requirements

• Line of Sight (LOS)

• Implementation

• Applications

• Data/product delivery

• Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS) / Long Range

• The FAA research partnership

• Applications

• Implementation

• Data/product delivery

2/24/2018 2

Concept of Operations

2/24/2018 3Proprietary Information – Patent Pending

2013-2017 BNSF UAS Program Timeline

4/4/2016 4

Pilot Program LaunchedProof of Concept Flights

Initial team createdRequirements Analysis

Regulatory StudiesAircraft and Sensor Tests

Initial Flight Authority Requested

Initial FAA Flight Authority Granted Expanded Proof of Concept Flying

Engineering SMEs AssignedBridge Inspection POC Launched

Analytics DevelopmentService Interruption Team Created

Long Range Aircraft Design and Development Started

Resource Protection Team Launched27 bridges/90 day cycle program launched

On-Demand/Research and Development FlightsPart 107 Waivers Granted (Night flights)

NOV2013

MAR2015

MAY2015

2014 / 2015 2015 2015

Historic long range flights on Clovis

Sub.

FAA Research Agreement SignedFAA / BNSF Long Range Flight Partnership

2016

FAA Grants Regulatory (BVLOS)Exemptions

NOV2016

2016

Daily Regulatory (BVLOS) Exemption Flights

OCT2015

APRIL2016

2017Q4

2017

NextGen AircraftTypeCert.

Expanded Flight Areas

Line of Sight Flights (Part 107 Rules)

• Departments

• Resource Protection

• Claims

• Roadway/Transportation R&D

• Environmental + HAZMAT

• Engineering

• 50 Additional Planned by End of 2018

2/24/2018 5

Structure Inspection Automation

• Engineering sponsored

• Automated repeatable flights

• Analytics software refinement

• Advanced change detection

• Exception flagging

2/24/2018 6

Diamond Surveying

• Can Replace Traditional Surveying

2/24/2018 7

LiDAR Supplement for Classification Yards

2/24/2018 8

Trackside Vegetation

2/24/2018 9

Volumetric Analysis

Taconite Facility

2/24/2018 10

2/24/2018 11

It is all about the data….

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

Flight Information Manager (FIM)

• What is FIM?

• Standardized resource for collecting and distributing all data

• Collection of tools necessary for pilots to perform data responsibilities

• Replaces various “cloud drive” programs for data movement

• Beginning point for future cloud storage/processing strategy

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

Flight Information Manager

• Suite

• Tool dashboard

• Console

• Main application

• 1-stop process for all tasks

• Delivery

• Handover data in the field

• Geolocator

• Wrapper KML generator

• Logs

• Attach various logs to

collection

• Upload

• Upload existing collections

Version 2.1.3

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

LONG RANGE (BVLOS) OPERATIONS

2/24/2018 14

The FAA/BNSF Partnership…

• A focus on community and employee safety

• Supplemental safety inspections of track and structures

• Reduced track occupancy

• Opportunity to diminish derailment risk

• Foundational for multi-modal transportation inspections

• Safe integration of UAS into The NAS

• Full BNSF and FAA executive commitment

• BNSF and The FAA are focused on risk elimination

• BNSF flights utilize known, well-managed flight corridors

• Existing infrastructure supports aircraft control, ATC

communications, SUA de-confliction and sense/avoid

capabilities

2/24/2018 15

2018 Subdivision Expansion

• Clovis Sub

• Gallup Sub

• Milk River Sub

2/24/2018 16

• VLOS Systems

• Trucks and support equipment in place

• When not flying BVLOS, flying other projects

Concrete Tie Evaluation

2/24/2018 17

• PDF and HTML Reports

• For SME Verification and for Output to Internal Customers

2017_03_14__19_53_02/4/00405.jpg

Report corresponds to grouping of ties:

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

Switch Position Defection and Reporting

2/24/2018 18

• Detection and Evaluation Methods Implemented

• Turnout ID, Track Association, Normal or Reverse Throw

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

Special Weather Evaluations

• Cold Weather

• Broken Rail Identification

• Obstructions

• Hot Weather

• Thermal Misalignments

• Mud Spots

• Tight Rail

2/24/2018 19BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

Supplemental Frog Inspections

2/24/2018 20BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

BNSF’s Long Range Aircraft (HQ60-B)

2/24/2018 21

Performance Characteristics

Endurance 15 hours

Max Range 750 NM

Max Operating

Altitudes

14,000 ft MSL

Max

Climb/Descent

Rate

500 fpm

Emergency

Descent Rate

1000 fpm

Max speed 80 kts

Max Turn Rate 20 deg/sec

Max Bank Angle 20 deg

Cruise Speed

Max 54 kts

Min 38 kts

Limitations

Headwind 30 kts

Crosswind 25 kts

Gust 12 kts

Turbulence Mild to Moderate

Visibility VMC conditions

OAT Max/Min 110 deg F/-2 deg

F

Launch

Type/Procedure

Vertical

Recovery Type/

Procedure

Vertical

Aircraft Measurements

Wingspan 150 inches

Length 96 inches

Fuselage Length 47.35 inches

Body Diameter 10 inches

Weight

Empty 53 lbs

Max Takeoff Gross 100 lbs

BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

BNSF HQ-60 Flight Examples

2/24/2018 22

Current FAA Radar and ADSB Coverage

2/24/2018 23

Combined FAA + BNSF ADSB Augment

2/24/2018 24

BNSF’s Clovis Subdivision Cockpit

2/24/2018 25BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

BNSF’s Clovis Subdivision Cockpit (2)

2/24/2018 26BNSF Proprietary – Patent Pending

BNSF’s Clovis Subdivision Cockpit (3)

2/24/2018 27

BNSF / FAA 2018 BVLOS Expansion

• Advanced Safety / Airspace Research

• BVLOS Flights Over Critical Infrastructure

• Performance Based Navigation within the Flight Route

• Airspace Risk Assessments

• Provide Data Analytics to Benefit Rule Making

• Determine Mechanism in which to Certify the System

• Flights in Controlled Airspace

• DAA Standards, Performance Requirements, Approval Process

• Define Repeatable Process and Requirements for Approvals

• Research / Airspace Expansion COAs Pending

• 5 of 8 Delivered

• Rural Areas (MT, NM, TX, OR)

• Focused on NAS Integration and Rail Safety Technology

2/24/2018 28

29