A Modular, NDAA Compliant Flight Computer

Flight research and validation in a relevant environment is a critical element in the maturation of aeronautics technology. A Research Flight Control System (RFCS) is typically used to conduct this work, which can integrate with additional or higher-quality instrumentation and sensors to facilitate research. Control of the vehicle can fall back to the production system if faults or unexpected behavior occur in the RFCS hardware or software, enabling a more streamlined flight approval process. The RFCS can facilitate rapid development and validation of autonomy and flight control software using a model-based process where algorithms are developed in MATLAB Simulink, validated in Software-In-the-Loop and Hardware-in-The-Loop simulation, automatically compiled to flight code, and uploaded to the RFCS onboard the vehicle. Bolder Flight Systems Inc. (BFS) and the University of Alabama (UA) propose to research, develop, and commercialize a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant RFCS suitable for manned and unmanned aircraft called the Low-cost Infrastructure for Flight Test and Research (LIFTR). The concept is to develop a modular, high-performance, and low Cost, Size, Weight, and Power (C-SWaP) research flight control system comprised of three main components: a high-performance microcontroller, a System on Chip (SOC) autonomy processor, and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) co-processor. Digital twins will be developed, enabling development and simulation of the entire system. Model reference blocks will enable researchers to develop, autocode, and upload software for each of these processors. Each processor will be implemented on a circuit board with high density connectors, enabling the development of motherboards with different processor configurations, integrated sensors, and ports to external peripherals. LIFTR will enable NASA to efficiently conduct flight research and validation and help usher in a new era of aeronautics technology. • Flight research and validation are a critical component in the maturation of aeronautics technology. • Research Flight Control Systems (RFCS) can integrate with instrumentation and sensors to support flight research and validation. Control of the vehicle can fall back to the production system if faults occur in the RFCS, enabling a more streamlined flight approval process. • Propose to research, develop, and commercialize an NDAA compliant, modular RFCS for manned and unmanned aircraft, called the Low-cost Infrastructure for Flight Test and Research (LIFTR); – High-performance microcontroller, autonomy processor, and FPGA. – Modular integration on motherboards with customizable integrated sensors and ports for external peripherals. – Fully supported in MATLAB Simulink to enable model-based development, integrated Software-In-the-Loop (SIL) and Hardware-in-The-Loop (HIL) simulation, autocode generation, and upload. • LIFTR will enable research organizations to efficiently conduct flight research and validation to help usher in a new era of aeronautics technology.

• A modular, NDAA compliant flight computer for manned and unmanned aircraft. • Use as a small UAS research flight control system. • Use as a data acquisition system. • A modular, NDAA compliant flight computer for manned and unmanned aircraft. • Use as a small UAS research flight control system. • Use as a data acquisition system. • Lower cost sensing modules for experimental aircraft builders and as a data logger for general aviation. • Future integration as an Avionics & Sensors system for general aviation and small business aircraft. • Future certification as a flight control system for eVTOL and AAM.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.