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K-State, Salina UAS Program
building momentum
K-State's Applied Aviation
Research Center began as a cooperative venture of K-State, Salina, the
Salina Airport Authority and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. The
center's charter is to advance aerospace technology through the application
of research capabilities in propulsion, airframe, avionics and aviation
training.
The center's unmanned
aerial systems programs office collaborates closely with military
organizations and the private sector to focus on developing unmanned flight
in the National Air Space and training unmanned systems pilots and
operators. K-State's unmanned aerial system capability revolves around
three key areas: operational policies and standards; advanced avionics
miniaturization; and unmanned aerial vehicle education and training.
The K-State, Salina Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office
is rapidly developing expertise in critical areas leading to eventual
integration of unmanned aircraft into the controlled national air space.
"We are quickly establishing the infrastructure and
operational readiness for various unmanned aerial missions," said Kurt
Barnhart, director of K-State's Applied Aviation Research Center, which
houses the UAS Program Office on the Big 12 university's Salina campus.
With nearly $3.7 million in grants, K-State's research
projects include airspace integration, avionics and payload, collision
avoidance, wireless power transfer, and developing concepts for airport
wildlife mitigation. The center has applied for another $6 million in UAS
funding.
Grant funding has permitted the UAS Program Office to
develop a staff of 15 professional and support individuals. Additionally,
the university recently made a number of commercial off-the-shelf equipment
acquisitions in support of its mission.
Flight Vehicles
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Photo by K-State, Salina.
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Aerosonde
The Aerosonde Mark 4.7 UAS platform from AAI, a Textron
Company, is the university's flagship unmanned vehicle for training and
research. It was purchased using an Air Force Office of Scientific Research
grant.
In 1998, an Aerosonde Mark 3 crossed the Atlantic Ocean in
27 hours using only 1.5 gallons of fuel. An Aerosonde Mark 4 flew 38 hours
without refueling. It was also the first such aircraft to fly into the eye
of a hurricane, marking a new milestone in hurricane observation.
Its payload flexibility, modularity and affordability make
it an ideal choice for remote data collection and reconnaissance missions
for military, civil and scientific entities. The aircraft employs a
catapult system to take off from small, remote clearings and ships, and can
launch from the roof of a fast-moving ground vehicle.
APV-4
In addition to the Aerosonde, the university is slated to
receive an APV-4 from RNR Products, a fixed-wing UAS platform, along with a
comprehensive set of support equipment. This aircraft has a large payload
capacity and a fixed landing gear. It will be used for airspace integration
research, student training, and payload integration research.
Wolverine III
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Photo by K-State, Salina.
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K-State also purchased a Ground Control Station and all
supporting equipment for the Wolverine III. This three-bladed electric
helicopter is fully autonomous with a long endurance. It is fully automatic
and can be operated with or without a ground control station. The Wolverine
will be used for student training, airspace integration research, and
search and rescue research in Kansas.
Flight Support Systems
TASE Duo Gimbal
The university has acquired a TASE Duo gimbal payload system
and all supporting equipment and software from Cloud Cap Technology. The
TASE Duo is an extremely lightweight system that houses both daylight and
infrared cameras in one package, making it possible to switch back and
forth as needed without requiring an aircraft to land to switch payloads.
This system will be integrated with the university's Aerosonde 4.7 and will
be interchangeable on future platforms. It will be used for student
training and search and rescue research.
Piccolo UAS Autopilot
K-State's newest autopilot system ground control station and
supporting software come from Cloud Cap Technology. The top of the line
autopilot system can be used for fixed and rotor wing unmanned vehicles.
The system is initially being integrated into the new Aerosonde 4.7.
K-State is establishing criteria for unmanned aerial system
flight operations, including activity at the National Guard's nearby Smoky
Hill Weapons Range and eventually at the Herington unmanned aerial system
flight facility. The program office establishes policies and procedures to
enable both military and civilian organizations to fly and test at local
facilities.
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