Abstract: An automated inspection system for monitoring a manufacturing process includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces. A sensor system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more characteristics of a manufactured article. An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to implement the manufacturing process based on instruction from the core platform. The core platform is configured to receive a first measurement of the one or more characteristics of a composite article from the sensor system after application of a plurality of layers of one or more raw materials; receive data regarding a second measurement of the one or more characteristics from the sensor system after curing the composite article; and generate an alert in response to a determination that a defect exists in the composite article based on the first or second measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking non-cooperative obstacles during operation of a vehicle is provided. The system may include a radar system, an optical sensor, and a processor. The radar system can be coupled to the vehicle and configured to scan a first airspace and generate radar information having a first resolution. The optical sensor can be coupled to the vehicle and configured to image a second airspace and generate optical information at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, where the second airspace is within said first airspace and includes a non-cooperative obstacle. The processor can be configured to identify the non-cooperative obstacle within the first airspace based at least in part on the radar information, and direct the optical sensor toward a location of the non-cooperative obstacle using the radar information.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates an aerial system to track a detected obstacle. The aerial system may comprise a plurality of aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a tracking system and the plurality of aircraft. In operation, one or more of the plurality of aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike the detected threat.

Abstract: A LIDAR system for vehicle operation that can operate in degraded visual environments (DVE) is described. The LIDAR system may use a spatial light modulator to find the phase conjugate of the DVE being traversed by the laser beam and cancel out the backscatter from the DVE, which allows the detection of extremely small numbers of directly reflected photons reflected by a target surface. If the target is not detected, the LIDAR is iteratively scanned to its maximum available depth of focus until the target is acquired. The LIDAR system is especially useful for autonomous landing of VTOL aerial vehicles in locations where the target landing spot is approximately known but cannot be directly visualized due to DVE media, such as smoke, dust, fog, or the like.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to a simulation system having an aircraft, a local wireless transceiver, and a simulation computer. The aircraft may include an onboard wireless transceiver and a flight controller operatively coupled with an onboard sensor payload to perceive a physical environment and to generate position and pose data. The simulation computer may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the aircraft via the local wireless transceiver. In operation, the simulation computer may be configured to generate one or more virtual reality sensor inputs and to receive the position and pose data from the aircraft. The simulation computer can be configured to transmit the one or more virtual reality sensor inputs to the flight controller of the aircraft.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to a tracking system to mount to an aircraft and to image and track a target aircraft. The tracking system may include a structured light source operatively coupled to a processor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) operatively coupled with the processor, a mirror to steer light from the light source toward the target aircraft, and a stereo-vision system having a first camera and a second camera. The IMU may be configured to generate position data representing a position of the aircraft. The stereo-vision system may be operatively coupled to the processor and configured to determine a 3D position of the target aircraft as a function of the position data. The processor may be configured to adjust the mirror position as a function of a mirror position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial vehicle having a reduced noise signature. The aerial vehicle may be a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle comprises an airframe and a plurality of rotors operatively coupled with one or more motors. The plurality of rotors may comprise a first, second, third, and fourth rotor. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth rotors may be arranged in a single plane and oriented to direct thrust downward relative to the airframe. In certain aspects, at least two of the plurality of rotors employ a different geometry to generate a targeted noise signature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to scanning radar reflector systems, methods, and apparatuses; even more particularly to a system, method, and apparatus for scanning and reflecting a radar beam transmitted by a radar transmitter onboard an aerial vehicle with radar reflectors equipped on unmanned aerial vehicles. The radar reflection system may include one or more unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with a one or more axis gimbal upon which a radar reflector is mounted. A user may position the unmanned aerial vehicle and the radar reflector to target a specific region for radar scanning.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to scanning radar reflector systems, methods, and apparatuses; even more particularly to a system, method, and apparatus for scanning and reflecting a radar beam transmitted by a radar transmitter onboard an aerial vehicle with radar reflectors equipped on unmanned aerial vehicles. The radar reflection system may include one or more unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with a one or more axis gimbal upon which a radar reflector is mounted. A user may position the unmanned aerial vehicle and the radar reflector to target a specific region for radar scanning.

Abstract: An actuation system to manipulate an interface in an aircraft having an actuation controller, a vision system, a robotic arm, and a housing. Each of the vision system and the robotic arm assembly may be operatively coupled to the actuation controller. The vision system may be configured to optically image a display device of the preexisting interface, while the robotic arm assembly may be configured to engage a user-actuable device of the preexisting interface. The housing can be configured to affix to a surface adjacent the preexisting interface, where each of the vision system and the robotic arm assembly are coupled to the housing. In operation, the actuation controller may be configured to instruct the robotic arm assembly based at least in part on data from the vision system.

Abstract: An autonomous aerial vehicle includes a flight controller and a mission manager in communication with the flight controller. The flight controller is configured to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle. The mission manager is configured to receive mission data. The mission data identifies both a landing zone and a designated touchdown zone located within the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to provide flight control data to the flight controller. The flight control data causes the flight controller to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle to a predetermined distance from the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to determine, subsequent to the autonomous aerial vehicle reaching the predetermined distance, whether landing at the designated touchdown zone is feasible.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking non-cooperative obstacles during operation of a vehicle is provided. The system may include a radar system, an optical sensor, and a processor. The radar system can be coupled to the vehicle and configured to scan a first airspace and generate radar information having a first resolution. The optical sensor can be coupled to the vehicle and configured to image a second airspace and generate optical information at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, where the second airspace is within said first airspace and includes a non-cooperative obstacle. The processor can be configured to identify the non-cooperative obstacle within the first airspace based at least in part on the radar information, and direct the optical sensor toward a location of the non-cooperative obstacle using the radar information.

Abstract: A LIDAR system for vehicle operation that can operate in degraded visual environments (DVE) is described. The LIDAR system may use a spatial light modulator to find the phase conjugate of the DVE being traversed by the laser beam and cancel out the backscatter from the DVE, which allows the detection of extremely small numbers of directly reflected photons reflected by a target surface. If the target is not detected, the LIDAR is iteratively scanned to its maximum available depth of focus until the target is acquired. The LIDAR system is especially useful for autonomous landing of VTOL aerial vehicles in locations where the target landing spot is approximately known but cannot be directly visualized due to DVE media, such as smoke, dust, fog, or the like.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates an aerial system to track a detected obstacle. The aerial system may comprise a plurality of aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a tracking system and the plurality of aircraft. In operation, one or more of the plurality of aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike the detected threat.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for monitoring a manufacturing process includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces. A sensor system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more characteristics of a manufactured article. An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to implement the manufacturing process based on instruction from the core platform. The core platform is configured to receive a first measurement of the one or more characteristics of a composite article from the sensor system after application of a plurality of layers of one or more raw materials; receive data regarding a second measurement of the one or more characteristics from the sensor system after curing the composite article; and generate an alert in response to a determination that a defect exists in the composite article based on the first or second measurement.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates an aerial defense system to defend against a detected threat. The aerial defense system may comprise a plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft storage system to house the plurality of defensive aircraft, an aircraft controller in communication with each of a targeting system and the plurality of defensive aircraft, and a human machine interface (HMI) device to provide operator interaction. In operation, one or more of the plurality of defensive aircraft may engage the detected threat. At least one of the plurality of defensive aircraft may include a target neutralization device to strike, or otherwise engage, the detected threat.

Abstract: An actuation system to manipulate an interface in an aircraft having an actuation controller, a vision system, a robotic arm, and a housing. Each of the vision system and the robotic arm assembly may be operatively coupled to the actuation controller. The vision system may be configured to optically image a display device of the preexisting interface, while the robotic arm assembly may be configured to engage a user-actuable device of the preexisting interface. The housing can be configured to affix to a surface adjacent the preexisting interface, where each of the vision system and the robotic arm assembly are coupled to the housing. In operation, the actuation controller may be configured to instruct the robotic arm assembly based at least in part on data from the vision system.

Abstract: An automated detection and avoidance system that provides a pilot with high-fidelity knowledge of the aircraft's physical state, and notifies the pilot of any deviations in expected state based on predictive models. The automated detection and avoidance system may include a processor and a sensor payload operatively coupled to the processor to detect a non-cooperative obstacle within a first airspace adjacent the aircraft. The sensor payload may comprise a radar to radially scan the first airspace, and a camera to scan a second airspace within said first airspace.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerial vehicle having a reduced noise signature. The aerial vehicle may be a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle comprises an airframe and a plurality of rotors operatively coupled with one or more motors. The plurality of rotors may comprise a first, second, third, and fourth rotor. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth rotors may be arranged in a single plane and oriented to direct thrust downward relative to the airframe. In certain aspects, at least two of the plurality of rotors employ a different geometry to generate a targeted noise signature.

Abstract: An autonomous aerial vehicle includes a flight controller and a mission manager in communication with the flight controller. The flight controller is configured to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle. The mission manager is configured to receive mission data. The mission data identifies both a landing zone and a designated touchdown zone located within the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to provide flight control data to the flight controller. The flight control data causes the flight controller to navigate the autonomous aerial vehicle to a predetermined distance from the landing zone. The mission manager is further configured to determine, subsequent to the autonomous aerial vehicle reaching the predetermined distance, whether landing at the designated touchdown zone is feasible.