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Technical Approach: Partner with Cloud Cap Technologies, who will provide vehicle; models, an existing controller and a test aircraft and avionics; Design an IRAC-style adaptive controller for the test aircraft; Develop tuning complexity metrics; Conduct field tuning and flight demonstration for each controller.
This work will enable the application of adaptive flight controls by showing reduced development and field set-up times with equivalent performance. Adaptive flight controls has the potential to reduce product development time, and improve safety and performance of small UAVs. Potentially applicable to commercial Small UAV Products. Relevant ICAST Autonomy Study Tech Challenges: 1) Autonomous vehicle control, health management, adaptation and optimization; 2) Verification, validation and certification of autonomous systems; 3) Test and evaluation capabilities.
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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.
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