Operations and Risk Management Approach for Small UAS

1. Operations and Risk Management Approach for Small UAS Presented to the Certification Working Group 6/26/2008 Brad Flick/DFRC Chief Engineer Mike Marston/Tybrin SUAS Operations Lead

2. Overview • The DFRC Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) program, through the Space Act of 1958, allows for research and development flight testing of new SUAS systems and/or configurations; developmental testing of existing SUAS; and product acceptance testing prior to delivery and training. DFRC will provide on a cost reimbursable basis, assistance and support for SUAS projects using approved risk management standards and will provide, with the concurrence of the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), range safety, test area access, as well as airspace and spectrum usage.

3. Motivation • In 2006, 412 TW/OG asked DFRC Safety & Mission Assurance Director if Dryden could help AFFTC stand-up SUAS support capability • DFRC ability to quickly enter agreements with industry due to Space Act Agreement • Benefits AFFTC, DoD and industry by allowing development and innovation to occur on company IR&D dollars – largely supporting warfighter • Due to FAA mandate, industry SUAS development hindered if access to restricted airspace not available • Edwards UAS test areas a national asset

4. DFRC Airworthiness and Flight Safety Review • Designed for unique, experimental aircraft and systems configurations • Process is risk based, not strictly standards based • Apply FARs, MIL-SPECs, NASA standards as appropriate • Identify residual operational risk and evaluate versus risk acceptability • Tailored for use with SUAS projects • Risk of losing aircraft is more acceptable, often expected (i.e. X-48) • Focus is on risk to people, other aircraft, and property • Controlled airspace/remote location makes this approach possible • Air traffic deconfliction • Restricted access to ops area

5. Operation & Safety Review • Operational and safety review incorporates standard practices tailored to accommodate SUAS customers • Streamlined approach to minimize cost impact to DFRC and customer without cutting corners on safety • Focuses on SUAS Questionnaire, SUAS ops engineer scrub and DFRC Chief Engineer approval • Close involvement with RSO (DFRC-AFFTC) including Ec analysis as directed by the AFSRB • Approval criteria maturing – exercised ~8 times over past year – overall process highly successful

6. Safety Review Considerations • UAS Classification • Developed classification model as risk management tool • Three categories established based on level of risk • Mission objectives & CONOPS • Range Safety Analysis, including Ec estimate • System Maturity & Demonstrated Reliability • Aircraft • Command and Control system • Operations team • Contingency systems and plans • Most do not have a traditional Flight Termination System (could help) • Rely on system redundancy, preprogrammed lost link maneuver, self-termination logic… • Approval based on overall risk assessment

8. General Rules

10. Definitions • Model Aircraft (R/C) • An unmanned air vehicle typically of small or sub-scale dimensions operated manually (pilot-in-the-loop) via a commercially available remote controlled radio frequency system. R/C aircraft are operated within the visual acuity range of the controlling pilot at all times. R/C operations are governed by current FAA guidance and AMA safety code standards. • Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) • A model aircraft system capable of unmanned flight by means of remote manual operation and/or a fully autonomous flight control system that meets the DFRC designated Class I or II criteria or is designated as such after receiving the DFRC Chief Engineer’s signature of approval. Complies with FAA guidance on SUAS. • Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) • A large or complex aircraft system capable of unmanned flight by means of remote pilot operation and/or a fully autonomous flight management system that meets the DFRC designated Class II or III criteria. Complies with guidance in DOP-O-301, Flight Crew UAS Flight Operations Manual. • Demonstrated Operability • To have demonstrated a system as capable of being put into routine use, operation or practice (To exhibit the operation or use of an object as being capable of being put into use, operation, or practice); proven airworthiness. Note: The applicability of this definition to small UAS’ is that these vehicles are "models" with some autonomous capability that have a certain level of "demonstrated operability". Some Objective Quality Evidence must be provided to document the demonstrated operability (video, flight logs, previous flight demonstration, etc.) to meet the requirement.

11. Back-up slides

12. Services • SUAS operations engineer oversight • Range & spectrum scheduling • Coordination with various Edwards AFB agencies for flight activities • Provide limited facility & vehicular use • Control room, telemetry & audio/video available • SUAS flight test activities at dedicated UAS work areas within R-2515

13. Work Areas • UAS Work Area • North Rogers Dry Lake • SFC to 10,000 ft MSL • Rosamond North • Rosamond Dry Lake • SFC to 500 ft AGL • Rosamond South • Rosamond Dry Lake • SFC to 3,000 ft AGL Edwards AFB UAS Areas(R-2515)

14. UAS Work Area • UAS Work Area • SFC to 10,000’ MSL • Access to North Base runway (red lakebed) • SUAS Work Area • 1 NM square • Supports SUAS activity on Rogers Dry Lake • Ceiling varies, typically SFC to 3,300’ MSL

15. Rosamond North & South UAS Areas • Rosamond North • Includes Model Masters & alternate test site ½ mile north of MMM • 1 NM square area • SFC to 300’ AGL • Rosamond South • 1 NM square area • SFC to 3,000’ AGL