Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron:

970478

Proposal Number:

14.04-6840

Project Title:

An Advanced UAV System to Support

GSFC - Mission To The Planet Earth

Remote Sensing Validation Programs

(GSFC Code 935)

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

This proposal is to develop an advanced low cost,

highly modular UAV system capable of supporting

various NASA MTPE missions. A need for the

capability to provide extended ground truthing,

repeat coverage for environmental monitoring,

rapid response time, flexibility of operating

performance and ease of payload integration have

been well defined for many research and

commercial applications. A wide variety of

applications exists in the commercial and

government markets for both civil/environmental

and defense/intelligence. Freewing Aerial Robotics

Corporation (Freewing) will utilize its unique

Freewing Tilt-Body design UAV to develop a highly

stable remote sensing UAV system. This system

will have the capability of accepting any number of

small stand-alone remote sensing instruments, and

therefore will support various research and

applications requirements. In Phase I Freewing will:

1) conduct an analysis of MTPE requirements and

develop a detailed conceptual design indicating how

advanced UAV systems can meet these

requirements, 2) conduct multivariate parametric

analysis using its existing computer models and

extensive wind tunnel data to define performance

criteria versus mission requirements, 3) develop a

conceptual design for an advanced, multipurpose

UAV system, and 4) develop a preliminary system

test plan and operations concept.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

Since the results of this effort will be the

development of a highly flexible low cost UAV

system, its commercial potential is significant and

covers all remote sensing applications.

Potential applications involve the detection and

mapping of a wide variety of objects and materials.

Commercial applications include: management and

monitoring of coastal zones, wetlands, forests,

agriculture, urban planning, municipal zoning and

management, reef assessment, pollution

monitoring, and low cost field testing of new

instrumentation.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

David Bonorden

Freewing Aerial Robotics Corporation

3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway

College Station , TX 77845

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Hugh Schmittle

Freewing Aerial Robotics Corporation

3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway

College Station , TX 77845