Implemented by       Capital Consulting Corporation    KSU at Salina           |       Supported by       NIST | PSCR

Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR

UAS Design Specification

UAS prototypes entered in this challenge will be subject to the requirements and limitations defined in the UAS Design Specification (outlined below). The UAS must not be a completely unaltered commercial, off-the-shelf UAS as the intent of the challenge is to design a UAS that is purpose-built to the objectives and requirements of the challenge. The following table describes the design requirements for the First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge. The “Requirement Title” is the nomenclature used to refer to the Requirement.  The “Requirement Definition” describes the meaning of the specific requirement. The “Minimum Capability” represents mandatory capabilities of the UAS and minimum acceptable values for the specific requirement. The “Preferred Capability” provides guidance where higher standards are sought and expected. Each Minimum or Preferred Capability applies to all stages of the challenge unless a deviation is noted below.

Requirement Title Requirement Details

UAS Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Requirement Definition

The price that UAS would sell for in a store. Includes the cost of formal flight training if required. Includes cost of licensed frequency if required.

Minimum Capability

MSRP of $7,500 or less.

Preferred Capability

MSRP of $5,000 or less.

Real Time Red, Green, Blue (RGB) Video

Requirement Definition

Real-time video is the ability to provide full motion video to the ground control station during anticipated mission operations. The video link needs to be able to maintain quality transmission through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall provide real time full motion video to the ground control station at a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second.

Preferred Capability

Maximize resolution and frame rate.

Encrypted solution.

Local (Onboard) Recording

Requirement Definition

Data recording of onboard UAS sensors/payloads that can be reviewed post flight.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall provide recorded video that is stored on UAS or on storage device that can be viewed post flight. Must be a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second.

Preferred Capability

Maximize resolution and frame rate.

Ability to record sensor/payload data from the UAS controller.

Ability to record audio if equipped.

Ability to record flight telemetry data.

Flight Time

Requirement Definition

The amount of time that the UAS can fly on one fully charged battery.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be able to fly a minimum of 15 minutes.

Preferred Capability

Greater than 30 minutes “industry standard.”

Flyability (Ease of Control)

Requirement Definition

The ease in which the pilot/operator is able to control the UAS in the flight environment. This includes the ability to maintain a constant position when the remote pilot in command (RPIC) is not providing any control input (hands off) and the ability to easily navigate and maneuver in a GPS-denied environment. Various levels of autonomy may be incorporated.

Minimum Capability

During the live flight event, the UAS can be operated in the challenge live event by someone with formal flight training specific to the UAS.

Preferred Capability

Incorporate sensors that will assist the operator in the overall control of the UAS in dark and constrained spaces.

Can be operated without formal flight training by someone with little to no experience in the challenge environment.

Ease of Operation

Requirement Definition

The ease in which the UAS can be operated. This includes the amount of personnel it takes to operate and how portable the UAS is.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person.  The UAS shall also be portable enough that 2 people can carry and unload.

Preferred Capability

The UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 1 person can carry and unload.

Power Source

Requirement Definition

The type of power that is used to operate the UAS.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be battery operated only.

Preferred Capability

N/A

Ground Station Control (GCS)

Requirement Definition

The device used to control the UAS.  This includes the command and control (C2) link. The C2 link needs to be able to maintain control of UAS through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials

Minimum Capability

Ability to provide command and control through multiple indoor obstructions.

Preferred Capability

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

Encrypted C2 link.

Flight Termination System (FTS)

Requirement Definition

The FTS is a subsystem that can immediately cut power to all UAS motors at once when activated or initiates an inverted dive for a horizontal flight aircraft. Activation shall be possible for any one of the following:

  1. If the UAS passes a geofence set by the contestant.
  2. If the UAS is disconnected from the flight controller for a set amount of time.
  3. To allow for a “kill” command to be sent to the UAS via the controller.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be equipped with an FTS (i.e., a Kill Switch) that when activated cuts power to all motors.

Preferred Capability

N/A

Deployment Time

Requirement Definition

The amount of time it takes to deploy the aircraft from a packed carrying case to taking off for flight.

Minimum Capability

Deployable in 10 minutes.

Preferred Capability

Deployable in 3 minutes or less.

Additional Preferred Capabilities (No minimum)

Thermal (Infrared)

Requirement Definition

Sensors that enable UAS operators to see invisible temperaturedata.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Capable of displaying thermal data and detecting hotspots.

Night Vision

Requirement Definition

Camera that enables the UAS operator to see into dark rooms/spaces.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Capable of displaying night vision on GCS in place of the standard RGB video stream.

Audio

Requirement Definition

Capability that the operator can use to communicate via the UAS with someone, or the operator can listen to what is happening on the UAS side.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

1-way Operator to UAS,
1-way UAS to Operator,
2-way Both.

Auto-flip (Turtle)

Requirement Definition

Capability of the UAS to right itself after it has landed in an abnormal orientation.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Battery Swappable

Requirement Definition

The UAS battery can be swapped out for a fully charged battery.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Perching

Requirement Definition

The UAS can land on an uneven surface and maintain a level attitude by intermittently using motors.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Requirement Title / Requirement Details

UAS Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)

Requirement Definition

The price that UAS would sell for in a store. Includes the cost of formal flight training if required. Includes cost of licensed frequency if required.

Minimum Capability

MSRP of $7,500 or less.

Preferred Capability

MSRP of $5,000 or less.

Real Time Red, Green, Blue (RGB) Video

Requirement Definition

Real-time video is the ability to provide full motion video to the ground control station during anticipated mission operations. The video link needs to be able to maintain quality transmission through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall provide real time full motion video to the ground control station at a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second.

Preferred Capability

Maximize resolution and frame rate.

Encrypted solution.

Local (Onboard) Recording

Requirement Definition

Data recording of onboard UAS sensors/payloads that can be reviewed post flight.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall provide recorded video that is stored on UAS or on storage device that can be viewed post flight. Must be a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second.

Preferred Capability

Maximize resolution and frame rate.

Ability to record sensor/payload data from the UAS controller.

Ability to record audio if equipped.

Ability to record flight telemetry data.

Flight Time

Requirement Definition

The amount of time that the UAS can fly on one fully charged battery.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be able to fly a minimum of 15 minutes.

Preferred Capability

Greater than 30 minutes “industry standard.”

Flyability (Ease of Control)

Requirement Definition

The ease in which the pilot/operator is able to control the UAS in the flight environment. This includes the ability to maintain a constant position when the remote pilot in command (RPIC) is not providing any control input (hands off) and the ability to easily navigate and maneuver in a GPS-denied environment. Various levels of autonomy may be incorporated.

Minimum Capability

During the live flight event, the UAS can be operated in the challenge live event by someone with formal flight training specific to the UAS.

Preferred Capability

Incorporate sensors that will assist the operator in the overall control of the UAS in dark and constrained spaces.

Can be operated without formal flight training by someone with little to no experience in the challenge environment.

Ease of Operation

Requirement Definition

The ease in which the UAS can be operated. This includes the amount of personnel it takes to operate and how portable the UAS is.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person.  The UAS shall also be portable enough that 2 people can carry and unload.

Preferred Capability

The UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 1 person can carry and unload.

Power Source

Requirement Definition

The type of power that is used to operate the UAS.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be battery operated only.

Preferred Capability

N/A

Ground Station Control (GCS)

Requirement Definition

The device used to control the UAS.  This includes the command and control (C2) link. The C2 link needs to be able to maintain control of UAS through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials

Minimum Capability

Ability to provide command and control through multiple indoor obstructions.

Preferred Capability

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

Encrypted C2 link.

Flight Termination System (FTS)

Requirement Definition

The FTS is a subsystem that can immediately cut power to all UAS motors at once when activated or initiates an inverted dive for a horizontal flight aircraft. Activation shall be possible for any one of the following:

1. If the UAS passes a geofence set by the contestant.
2. If the UAS is disconnected from the flight controller for a set amount of time.
3. To allow for a “kill” command to be sent to the UAS via the controller.

Minimum Capability

The UAS shall be equipped with an FTS (i.e., a Kill Switch) that when activated cuts power to all motors.

Preferred Capability

N/A

Deployment Time

Requirement Definition

The amount of time it takes to deploy the aircraft from a packed carrying case to taking off for flight.

Minimum Capability

Deployable in 10 minutes.

Preferred Capability

Deployable in 3 minutes or less.

Thermal (Infrared)

Requirement Definition

Sensors that enable UAS operators to see invisible temperaturedata.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Capable of displaying thermal data and detecting hotspots.

Night Vision

Requirement Definition

Camera that enables the UAS operator to see into dark rooms/spaces.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Capable of displaying night vision on GCS in place of the standard RGB video stream.

Audio

Requirement Definition

Capability that the operator can use to communicate via the UAS with someone, or the operator can listen to what is happening on the UAS side.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

1-way Operator to UAS,
1-way UAS to Operator,
2-way Both.

Auto-flip (Turtle)

Requirement Definition

Capability of the UAS to right itself after it has landed in an abnormal orientation.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Battery Swappable

Requirement Definition

The UAS battery can be swapped out for a fully charged battery.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Perching

Requirement Definition

The UAS can land on an uneven surface and maintain a level attitude by intermittently using motors.

Minimum Capability

N/A

Preferred Capability

Demonstrated capability

Implemented by       Capital Consulting Corporation    KSU at Salina           |       Supported by       NIST | PSCR

Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR