Multi-Objective Risk Prediction and Hazard Evaluation/optimization for Urban air Services (MORPHEUS)

In this Phase I SBIR project for NASA, The Longbow Group, LLC (LONGBOW), with Daniel H. Wagner Associates, Inc. (DHWA) as a subcontractor, will demonstrate the feasibility of developing key components of a future In-Time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) and commercializing those components as IASMS services, functions, and capabilities (SFCs) within one or more Supplemental Data Service Providers (SDSPs) supporting uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM). This proposed Phase I will lay the groundwork for Phase II prototype development of a Multi-Objective Risk Prediction and Hazard Evaluation/optimization for Urban air Services (MORPHEUS), which will support (1) pre-flight planning to assess and mitigate risk (e.g., to the populace, infrastructure, airframe/payload/mission); (2) in-flight monitoring and mitigation of risk; and (3) post-flight analysis of risk and model and database updates. MORPHEUS will leverage NASA Langley Research Center’s (LaRC) Ground Risk Assessment Service Provider (GRASP), DHWA’s experience with AI and Machine Learning (ML) and commercialization of a NASA Langley Phase II SBIR for UAS route evaluation/optimization with respect to weather (RouteCAST), LONGBOW’s Space Act Umbrella Agreement SAA1-34272 for uncrewed systems collaborative testing with NASA LaRC. and the team’s involvement in a recently awarded Phase II NASA SBIR to develop an Urban Weather Testbed (UWT) for UAS operations in Hampton Roads. By leveraging these other projects, in Phase I we will be able to conduct real-world demonstrations of using MORPHEUS to assess and mitigate risk. Phase II prototype development will result in a functional MORPHEUS system as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready for transition to UTM systems. Benefits to NASA and the UAS commercial enterprise will include safer and more efficient flights in the national airspace system (NAS).

MORPHEUS will directly support NASA programs/projects related to UAS/eVTOL safety and risk mitigation such as the High Density Vertiplex (HDV) program, which used GRASP data in a recent FAA COA Safety Case application for BVLOS operations at NASA LaRC, and particularly the AOSP SWS initiative. MORPHEUS would also benefit programs involved in human-autonomy teaming (e.g., the HAT Lab), providing multi-objective optimization for humans to review and understand, accept/reject, and/or modify.

LONGBOW plans to use MORPHEUS for its own operations and is also targeting its use by other drone and fleet operators, on-demand urban air travel companies, UTM system providers, Supplemental Data Service Providers (SDSP), Aviation/UAS/eVTOL insurance providers, Provider of Services to UAM (PSU), intra-base and base-to-base DOD logistics, and city and state planners for UAS/eVTOL infrastructure.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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