NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, has partnered with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) of San Diego, CA, to demonstrate technologies that will expand the capabilities of remotely operated, uninhabited aircraft to perform high-altitude earth science missions. To accomplish the task, GA-ASI is developing an enlarged version of its Predator reconnaissance aircraft, the Predator B®, including an extended-wingspan Altair version for NASA, to meet these requirements.

GA-ASI’s task under NASA’s Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) Joint Sponsored Research Agreement calls for GA-ASI to develop and demonstrate technical performance and operational capabilities that will meet the needs of the science community. As joint partners in the project, which covers flight validation as well as development of the aircraft, NASA’s Office of Aerospace Technology is investing approximately $10 million, while GA-ASI is contributing additional funds, with about $8 million earmarked for the Altair project.

A satellite antenna and electro-optical/infrared sensors were among payloads installed on the Altair for the UAV’s flight demonstration.

In addition to triple-redundant avionics, Altair is configured with a fault-tolerant, dual-architecture flight control system, and is equipped with an automated collision-avoidance system as well as an airtraffic control voice relay that allows Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air-traffic controllers to talk to the groundbased Altair pilots through the aircraft. Command and control of the Altair, as well as research data gathered by Altair, will be transmitted through an “over the horizon” satellite link that allows scientists to receive research information as soon as the Altair obtains it. The aircraft also will have to meet all FAA airworthiness and maintenance standards.