A Transformative Approach to Flight Test for Autonomous Vehicles

There are established processes to conduct certification flight test of conventional Parts 23 and 25 fixed wing aircraft and Parts 27 and 29 rotorcraft for a certifying agency such as the FAA. Further, NASA and the DoD have well established processes to conduct developmental test and evaluation (DTE) and operational test and evaluation (OTE) of prototype and experimental aircraft. For the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) marketplace that features vehicle designs with increasing automation to full autonomous operations, new flight test technologies are required to execute flight test maneuvers safely and repeatedly when a human pilot is no longer in-the-loop. New test technologies can allow extracting data/information relevant in aircraft development from non-classical developmental type maneuvers. These technologies will include a combination of consolidated analysis and synthesis methods and the application of metrics dedicated to autonomous vehicles, to assess their capabilities in performing the required mission tasks in the absence of the onboard pilots evaluation. The expected high relevance of Mission Task Elements (MTEs) in the emerging AAM certification process requires the capability and offers the opportunity to merge DTE and OTE concepts and practices from first flight to certification. While autonomous drones have been operating for the military for some time, such technologies are required here as well if these vehicles are to transition from restricted air space and in theater operations to national air space operations. To satisfy the evolving test and evaluation analytical and procedural requirements described above, a team led by Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) proposes to create a complete prototype of the Aircraft Standardized Source for Integrated System Testing (ASSIST). ASSIST will support the flight test process from initial parameter and system identification to envelope expansion to mission capability and certification testing using MTEs. There are established processes for certification flight test of aircraft by the FAA. Further, NASA and the DoD have well established processes for developmental and operational testing of prototype and experimental aircraft. For the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market that features designs with increasing automation to full autonomous operations, new tools are required to execute maneuvers safely and repeatedly when a human pilot is no longer on board. These include analysis and synthesis methods and metrics for autonomous vehicles in the absence of pilot evaluations. The use of Mission Task Elements (MTEs) in the AAM certification process requires the capability and offers the opportunity to merge developmental and operational test concepts and practices from first flight to certification. To satisfy these evolving test requirements, Systems Technology, Inc. proposes to create a prototype of the Aircraft Standardized Source for Integrated System Testing (ASSIST) tool that will support initial parameter/system identification to envelope expansion to certification testing using MTEs. Define the hardware and software functional requirements for integration of ASSIST with an upgraded MAVRIK aircraft telemetry and GNC system.   Define the signal and data requirements for the system formed by the fully integrated ASSIST and MAVRIK.   Upgrade hardware and software of the MAVRIK aircraft telemetry and GNC system to satisfy the requirements of the fully integrated system.   Integrate the complete system formed by the ASSIST toolset, MAVRIK aircraft telemetry and GNC system, and Ground Control Station (GCS) hardware and software.   Expand the functionality and performance of the ASSIST real time and post maneuver software tools to match the expanded requirements through execution of type specific MTEs including validation of envelope protection functions.   Test and evaluate ASSIST for executing flight dynamics and flying qualities analyses, in deriving Task Performance Capabilities (TPC) index, and in synthesizing the set of results into mission capabilities assessments of highly automated/autonomous CTOL/VTOL aircraft.   Deliverables include a Phase II kickoff briefing and quarterly progress reports. Final deliverables include the Final Technical Report, a prototype version of the ASSIST software toolset, Project Summary, Briefing Chart, Final NTSR, and New Technology Report. An ASSIST User’s Guide will be included with the Final Technical Report.  

ASSIST applies to the ARMD FDC that “operates, sustains and enhances the specific flight research and test capabilities…needed to achieve technical goals in ARMD’s Strategic Plan, other NASA mission directorate activities and national strategic needs.” Further, it applies to the AAM National Campaign that “…bring together aircraft manufacturers and airspace service providers to identify maturity levels for vehicle performance, safety assurance, airspace interoperability, etc., and to develop and demonstrate integrated solutions for civil use.” ASSIST provides a complete flight test suite of tools to the AAM market including passenger aircraft operated autonomously in what JP Morgan recently called the $1 trillion electric flying vehicle market. This flight test technology can also be introduced to military markets such as the AFWERX Agility Prime program that is seeking introduction of electric flight vehicles into the USAF.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.