Near Earth Autonomy, Inc. SBIR Phase II Award, October 2019

We propose to comprehensively demonstrate the utility of “just in time” delivery of whole blood via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). In Phase I, we assembled and successfully flew a prototype system consisting of a sensing and computing package integrated onto a long-range, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The system flown was shown to be able to evaluate a landing zone, correctly identifying safe areas as well as hazards, in real-time during a nominal approach. We have also created an initial concept of operations and designed prototype graphical user interface and blood transportation containers. In Phase II, we will improve on the Phase I prototypes to optimize the aircraft-autonomy system integration; build transportation containers that keep whole blood at a stable temperature; develop a command, control, and communication capability; and demonstrate an end-to-end system to prove the feasibility of delivering whole blood units to Forward Operational Bases. Our team is led by Near Earth Autonomy, a leader in technology for safe autonomous flight, in partnership with Latitude, which produces transition VTOL aircraft that have the endurance for the missions sought by the Army. The team members have the key expertise to bring this SBIR’s topic to reality.