ROBOTIC AIRCRAFT FOR

PUBLIC SAFETY (RAPS)

OVERVIEW

Kirk Kloeppel
20 March 2014

UAS or DRONE

Contents
RAPS Purpose, Approach, Scope
Test Range
Process
Manufacturer Participation
Performance Goals
Test Plan
Test Reports

Schedule, Lessons Learned, Future

Outlook
Web Links
Back Up Information
3

Purpose/Test Approach
To evaluate performance and utility of SUAS-sensor
combinations
Key capabilityusing:
measures

One test ours

applied uniformly to all
systems to be tested

Realistic operational
test scenarios and
environments

Test reports produced

for each system tested

Primary focus: Capability gaps of public, first

responder organizations

All levels of government, including DHS operational

components, especially Customs and Border Protection Office
of Border Patrol; U.S. Coast Guard; USSS; FEMA;4 other

RAPS Scope
Test categories

Scripted operational scenarios

Search and rescue (SAR)
Fire/HAZMAT/disaster
Law enforcement (LE)

Operational utility assessments

Use in National Airspace

System (NAS)

Technical scope, requirements

Restricted airspace (COAs are not feasible)
Fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, < 25 lb MTOW, and modular,
available sensors (already integrated) that address our test
objectives
Day-time flight testing at altitudes < 400 ft (AGL)
5

Air-based Tech R&D

Other research and
development activities
RAMPS is a new S&T-USCG
Research and Development
Center (RDC) partnership for
SUAS Maritime testing
Technology foraging and field
testing
Severe storm modeling and
simulation
Airborne collision avoidance
Counter-spoofing/jamming
Ongoing support to DHSs
Working Group on Privacy and
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
U.S. border security
demonstration

Border Security Benefits

Rapid response

Improved situational awareness and agent safety

High-value assets in remote, inaccessible, dangerous AORs

Relatively low unit costs could provide

Many more air assets for target identification and tracking

Eventually, complete aerial coverage of the U.S. border

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7

RAPS Test Range

Oklahoma Training Center Unmanned Systems
(OTC-US)
Location: Elgin, OK, adjacent to Ft. Sill U.S. Army Post and within Ft. Sill restricted
airspace

OTC-US site (red outline)

OTC-US is a test facility of the Oklahoma
State Universitys University Multispectral
Laboratory

Liberty City site (urban

scenarios)
8

Vendor Participation
We developed 21 SUAS
Performance Goals

Based on notional user

scenarios created by
senior LE, fire, SAR, and
border security
operators
Scenarios were vetted
with operational
Areas
communities
noted: User applications; operational utility; transition to
OurNAS
Goals encompass:
RAPS PM priority to seek mature SUAS solutions that could
support near-term transition of good (not necessarily the best)
capabilities

September 2012 RFI invited manufacturer participation (Cycle

1): 72 white papers were received

White paper screening and selection process:

Compliance check vs. RAPS Performance Goals
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SUAS Performance Goals

Common
Requirements:

Threshold

Lost Link Procedures

Rally Point

Objective
Rally Point, after time return to
launch
> 400 hr (rotary); > 1,000 hr
(fixed)
Chemical/biological/radiological
Gimbaled
Laser spotter integrated
One day
Hand launched
Deep stall/hover
< 1 min

Airframe Accumulated Flight

> 200 hr (rotary); > 500 hr
Time
(fixed)
Sensors
Electro-optical and infrared
Sensors (EO/IR)
Fixed
Laser Designation
None
Training (operator)
One week
Deployment
Bungee/catapult launch
Recovery
Line/net capture
Assembly
< 5 min
Ready to launch (after
< 5 min
< 1 min
assembly)
Mean time between lost link
> 100 hr flight time
> 250 hr flight time
AirworthinessOperators
Provide written Operators
Provide written Operators
Manual
Manual
Manual
AirworthinessMaintenance
Provide written Maintenance
Provide written Maintenance
Thresh Objecti
Rotary-winged
Fixed-winged
Thresh
Objecti
Manual
Manual
Manual
old
ve
old
ve
Weight (MTO)
< 25
pounds
< 25 pounds
UAS:
UAS:
Endurance
30 min
1 hr
Endurance
30 min
2 hr
Range
0.25 mi
1 mi
Range
1 mi
3 mi
Speed (dash)
10 mph
30 mph
Speed (dash)
20 mph
40 mph
Speed (endurance)
0 mph
20 mph
Speed (endurance)
15 mph
30 mph
1000
ft Altitude
400 ft AGL
1000 ft AGL
Altitude
400 ft AGL
6,000
ft
10,000
ft
AGL
Service Ceiling
6,000
ft 10,000 ft
MSL
MSL
Service Ceiling
Acoustic signature (400
MSL
MSL
40 dBA
1070 dBA
Acoustic signature (400
ft AGL)
70 dBA
40 dBA

Test Plan
Test Plan uses standard
methodologies for operational
evaluation
54 Performance Measures (PMs)
Approved for public release in
2012
A living document that considers
ongoing consideration of
stakeholder suggestions for
improvements

Cycle 1 is the current test

program
Future, Cycle 2 testing
(FY2015+), if approved, may or
will encompass:
Expanded fire, SAR, disaster
response scenarios

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Key Test Factors

Operational
capabilities

Does SUAS support

routine operations by
improving situational
awareness?

Operational utility

Is SUAS easy and

efficient to assemble,
launch, operate,
recover, and pack up?

Is video output seen

effectively at multiple
remote terminals?

Technology
transition

Is FAA authorization

12

Test Reports
Reports

Created by S&T RAPS team for

users
Vendors: (i) Perform fact checks
of final draft; (ii) identify
proprietary information; and (iii)
clear Executive Summary for
public release
Approved for release by DHS S&T
Posted and archived online

Websites

Government employees and

government-sponsored
stakeholders access the Reports
via
http://www.firstresponder.gov
, the gateway to S&Ts First
Responder Communities of
Practice site,
https://communities.firstresp

13

Test Reports, contd

Test Reports
Content: Complete test results, including scoring summary
tables; general SUAS information; company-proprietary cost
and other information
Audience: Restricted to government employees and
government-sponsored stakeholders interested in RAPS
(potential users)
Access to Test Reports:
Available upon request to RAPS Program Manager
Available online at Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety
(RAPS) Secure Community of Practice website

Executive Summaries of Test Reports

Content: Highlights of test results
Audience: Approved for public release (goal: to reach a wide
readership)
Access to Executive Summaries:
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Available upon request to RAPS Program Manager

Rating Summaries
To facilitate SUAS comparisons, each Report contains Rating
Summaries of results in our 54 Performance Measures in 5
Assessment categories: A1. Law Enforcement; A2. Search and
Rescue; A3. Fire Response; A4. Operational Utility; A5. Operation in
NAS

Above: Sample Rating summary information

Performance Measure
(PM)

Unit, Rating (bar-graph), T & O

markers

Qual., Quant.
Rating

Scoring Keys for

Qualitative and
Quantitative
Ratings
15

RAPS Schedule (Cycle 1)

Test
Wee
k
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Test
Date
Dec. 1014, 2012
Jan.1418, 2013
Mar. 1115, 2013
Apr. 1519, 2013
May 1317, 2013
June 1014, 2013
June 1721, 2013
July 1519, 2013
Aug. 2630,

Company

Lockheed Martin ADP

AeroVironment
Honeywell

Re
por
Fix Rot t
ed ary
Onl
ine

Platform(s)
Stalker (Blk 15),
Stalker XE (Blk 10)
Puma AE, Raven B,
Wasp AE (Blk IV)

T-Hawk (Blk II)

Avenger; R.A.P.T.R.

Aeryon Labs

Scout V1, SkyRanger

UAS Dynamics

Skylark

Lockheed Martin MS2

Desert Hawk III,

Desert Hawk-EER, Indago

Mission Technology
Systems, LLC

Buster

AeroVironment

Qube, Shrike

Leptron
(Tactical Electronics)

16

RAPS Schedule (Cycle 1)

Test
Wee
k
10
11
12
13
14
N/A
15
16
17

Test
Date
Sept. 913,
2013
Oct. 2125, 2013
Dec. 913, 2013
Jan. 1317, 2014
Jan. 2731, 2014
April 1425, 2014
May 1216, 2014
May 1923, 2014
June 1620, 2014

Company

Platform(s)

Re
por
Fix Rot
t
ed ary
Onl
ine

AirRobot

AR100B, AR100C,
AR200

Prioria

Maverick, VMAV

Falcon UAS

Falcon

Applied Research Assoc.

Nighthawk

AirCover/Lockheed
Martin

QR425

CBP (PSI Tactical)

InstantEye

UAV Solutions
Stark Aerospace
Aurora

Talon, Allerion,
Phoenix30
BirdEye 400, MiniPanther
Skate

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Lessons Learned To Date

No one platform performs well in all scenarios
Fixed-wing aircraft:
Very good in search and rescue (SAR), fire monitoring
Some fixed wing SUAS need operating areas > 200 ft radius
Launch and recovery zones
Deep stall landings affected by winds

Rotary-winged aircraft:
Perform well in crime, accident, and arson scene investigation,
and in SWAT
Hover ability is very beneficial
Some systems are relatively quiet, providing stealth, and can
perch
Up to 50-min endurance was tested/verified winds are not a
limiting factor (flying in winds up to 30 mph)
In winds, maintain commanded flight profiles better
than fixed
18
wing aircraft

Lessons Learned, contd

Essential capabilities for effective, high-use
operations:
Integrated EO and IR sensors on a stabilized, gimbaled platform
SAR aided by ability to switch between two modes to
validate Targets of Interest (TOI)
Dual sensors are valuable in urban scenarios where
shadows are prevalent
Geo-referenced EO and IR full motion video
Needed for chain of custody and TOI location accuracy

Collision avoidance:
For some systems, the best way to avoid oncoming traffic may
be to initiate immediate landing but climb and descend speeds
may not be sufficient to avoid collision

Other findings:
Quiet systems developed by DOD may need audible
augmentation during SAR
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The fuel cell SUAS we tested is a significant new capability: > 8

Future Outlook
Cycle 1,
2012
FY2012-14
Range selection; advocacy
Define program scope and
set key partnerships
RFI; Test Plan; contracting

Stand up:
Processes to work with
manufacturers, create and
disseminate reports
Liaison to DHS privacy
working group

Conduct 19 flight test

weeks
Analyze and disseminate
results from Cycle 1 testing

Cycle 2, FY2015 New RFI; new Test Plan

16
Expanded test scope
(goals):
Fire/HAZMAT/disaster, SAR
response
Specialized SUAS sensors
Larger, more complex
operational scenarios
Counter-spoofing and antijamming capabilities
Airworthiness

Severe storm response

pilot
RAMPS new start: Maritime
testing, USCG RDC-led
collaboration 20

Project Office, Web Links

RAPS Project Support Officer:

Mr. Kevin Spence: (202) 254-2235

kevin.spence@associates.hq.dhs.gov

RAPS and related Web Links:

http://www.firstresponder.gov is a public-access DHS S&T

website

Government employees and government-sponsored stakeholders

interested in RAPS may request access to the RAPS Test Reports via
http://www.firstresponder.gov, which is the gateway to access S&Ts
First Responder Communities of Practice site,
https://communities.firstresponder.gov, which is the gateway to the
RAPS Community of Practice site. Access is controlled by DHS S&T and
the RAPS Program Manager.

RAPS Request for information (RFI), released September 24,

2012:

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/DHS13-01/listing.
html

RAPS Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), approved Nov. 16,

21
2012, was the first such document addressing unmanned
aircraft

LESSONS LEARNED
No one platform performs well in all scenarios
Some fixed winged SUAS may need operating areas > 200 ft radius
Launch and recovery zones
Deep stall landings affected by winds

Fixed wing aircraft are very good in search and rescue and fire
monitoring
Rotary winged platforms perform well in crime, accident, and arson
scene investigation and in police SWAT applications
Hover ability is very beneficial
Some systems are relatively quiet, providing stealth, and can perch at
specific locations

Quiet systems developed by the Department of Defense may need

audible augmentation during search and rescue
Fuel cells provide endurance > 8 hours but require > 12 minutes to
warm up prior to launch
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LESSONS LEARNED (contd)

Integrated EO and IR sensors on a gimbaled platform is essential
Search and rescue scenarios are aided by ability to switch between two
modes to validate targets of interest
Dual sensors are valuable in urban scenarios where shadows are prevalent

Geo-referencing EO and IR full motion video is essential

Needed for chain of custody and target of interest location accuracy

For some systems, the best way to avoid traffic may be to initiate
immediate landing
Climb and descent speeds may not be sufficient to avoid collision

Rotary winged aircraft are nearing the 30-minute endurance level

Winds are not a limiting factor (fly in winds up to 30 mph)
Can maintain commanded flight profiles

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RAPS STEERING GROUP

Dr. John Appleby, Chair

DHS S&T HSARPA

Mr. Bob Griffin, Director

DHS S&T First Responder Group

Mr. Jonathan Cantor

DHS Chief Privacy Officer (Act.)

Ms. Tamara Kessler, Chief (Act.)

DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Mr. John Priddy, Director

DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP)/ Air Operations

Capt Doug Nash, Chief

DHS U.S. Coast Guard/ Office of Aviation Forces

Mr. Chris Vaughan

DHS Federal Emergency Management Admin./ Geospatial Management Office

Mr. Jim Williams, Director

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/ UAS Integration Office

Mr. David Morton

FAA/ UAS Integration Office, Aviation Safety Inspector

Mr. Steve Pansky

FAA/ UAS Integration Office, Senior ATC Analyst

Dr. Steve McKeever

Oklahoma State Univ./ VP for Science &Technol. Transfer; UML/ Executive Director

Mr. Eric Meyn, Director

University Multispectral Laboratories (UML)/ Unmanned Systems Division

Chief Robert Doke

Oklahoma State Fire Marshall

Chief Jon Hansen

Director, Oklahoma Council On Firefighter Training (COFT)

LTC Jon Greenhaw

Oklahoma National Guard

Mr. Mike OShea

Department of Justice/ Office of Justice Programs

Cmdr Bob Osborne (ret.)

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

Chief Donald Shinnamon, Sr.

(ret.)

Public Safety Aviation Consultant

Mr. Andy Lacher

MITRE Corporation/ UAS Integration Research Strategist

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PRIVACY

http://www.gigapixel.com/image/gigapan-canucks-g7.html

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