University of Akron April 26-28, 2005 NASA Vehicle Systems Program Overview UAV Opportunities Conference Technology Review

2 Our success is measured by the extent to which our results are used by others to improve the quality of life and enable exploration and scientific knowledge To provide advanced aeronautical technologies to meet the challenges of next generation systems in aviation, for civilian and scientific purposes, in our atmosphere and in those of other worlds. Aeronautics Research Mission

3 Programs Airspace SystemsAviation Safety & Security Increase planetary aircraft research Assess possibilities for supersonics Enhance uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAV) research Emphasize public good research Ensure NASA contribution to Joint Program & Development Office (JPDO) Vehicle Systems Programmatic Priorities Determine if there is a requirement to continue hypersonics research Aeronautics Research Priorities and Programs

4 Vehicle Systems Program GOAL: –Provide breakthrough technology for significantly advanced future air vehicles. APPROACH: –Develop technologies and demonstrate them in flight to provide evidence of barrier breakthroughs. BENEFITS: –Opens more communities to air transportation –Enables new air transportation models by doubling vehicle speed capability –Eliminates aviation pollution –Enables new science platforms

5 Demonstration Projects ZERO EMISSIONS AIRCRAFT — Start by demonstrating an aircraft powered by hydrogen fuels cells. SUBSONIC NOISE REDUCTION — Start by demonstrating a 50% noise reduction compared to 1997 state of the art. SONIC BOOM REDUCTION — Start by demonstrating technology that could enable an acceptable sonic boom level. HIGH ALTITUDE LONG ENDURANCE — Start by demonstrating a 14-day duration high- altitude, aircraft.

6 Vehicle Systems Program Schedule

7 HALE - Barrier Breakthroughs Barrier: On-station extreme duration for HALE vehicles 1 st barrier up to 14 days 2 nd barrier more than 30 days Description: Demonstrated endurance of HALE systems to date limited to less that 3 days (SOA Boeing Condor, 1989). HALE systems require significant support personnel and ground station infrastructure to operate, while not yet achieving levels of safety and reliability equivalent to piloted systems. Objectives: Project will develop specialized technologies that enable extreme duration flight: –ultra-lightweight structural concepts, –highly-automated uncrewed flight systems capable of achieving required levels of safety and reliability, –efficient fuel cell/solar based regenerative propulsion systems. Project will integrate technologies into a commercially viable flight system and verify the achievement of desired capability goals through flight demonstrations. HALE Demonstration Project will enable new capabilities for the NASA science and exploration missions.

8 Platform Capability Altitude Endurance Payload Range Navigation Mission Capability Communications Sensors Integration Multi-aircraft Airspace Capability Routine Access To NAS Exploration Capabilities Robotic applications Autonomous, multi-vehicle, robotic operations Intelligent Mission Management Planetary Flight Risk Reduction HALE Capabilities

9 Commercialization Telecomm platforms HDTV broadcast Resource monitoring Traffic control Precision agriculture Digital GIS Cargo UAV’s Homeland Defense First Responder Border Patrol Coastal Surveillance Forest Fire Monitoring NBC Detection & Tracking Disaster information networks Sensor development platforms Earth Science Hurricane Trackers Severe Storm Penetrating Daughterships Polar Ozone Monitoring NOAA GUPS/Pac-Plus EPA Mercury Compliance Bi-Coastal transport flux models Urban-to-Rural Pollution Transport Urban Heat Island measurements Central America Biological Corridor Stratospheric Pseudo-satellite Space Science Mars Water Survey Global magnetism survey Radiation models Astro-biology Upper atmosphere measurements High Altitude High Energy Astrophysics platforms Why HALE? Missions Enabled by HALE Capabilities

10 Altitude Endurance Payload Range Example Technology 60k / 100k ft60k ft + 75k ft 60k ft + 1 Day / 1 Hour14 day60+ day2 Day Day 50 kg200 kg150kg20 X 200 X Local Regional All Latitudes Global +/- 45 deg Lat Global All Latitudes Global +/- 35 deg Lat Active shape control Hydrogen fueled, Lightweight LH2 tank, Low 10kW Turbulence resistant, Over Horizon Comm. State of the Art Helios FY03 SubOrbital LE Observer, FY08 Global Observer FY10 Global Ranger FY12 Heavy Lifter FY16 Lightweight airframe Regenerative fuel cell, Thin film solar cells, light weight energy storage Autonomous Ops Superconductor motors Multi-function LH2 tanks Low 500 kW Inflatable/deployable aerostructures High power electrical propulsion Structures Power Flight Control / Autonomy Continuous aero-trim optimization Intelligent vehicle systems management HALE Demonstrations

11 Suborbital Long Endurance Concept

12 Exploration Concept The Wright brothers took humankind to our sky, Let us fully utilize and protect our sky and take humankind to other skies.

13 SUMMARY VEHICLE SYSTEMS PROGRAM A clear focus on barrier-breaking demonstrations Completely support public good benefits for environment and science Management practices are solid and have been favorably reviewed –Strategic National VS Plan guides future investments …HALE is key breakthrough for Science Mission