SBIR/STTR Award attributes
SSCI is developing an optical-based collision threat detection system (OASES SAFESEE) for the unmanned MQ-8C. OASES SAFESEE is a solution using lightweight sensors and a processor, on aircraft not suitable to employ existing heavy air-to-air radars, to detect airborne aircraft which are not broadcasting ADS-B or TCAS. Under the proposed Phase II.5 Expansion effort, SSCI will investigate the prospect of implementing OASES SAFESEE in MQ-25 CONOPS and will develop a degraded visibility assessment capability to provide advanced warning to environmental conditions which are detrimental to SAFESEE collision detection performance. For the MQ-25 feasibility investigation, SSCI will conduct a simulation-based study to characterize SAFESEE collision detection performance in traffic scenarios relevant to anticipated MQ-25 operations. To implement the degraded visibility assessment feature within SAFESEE, SSCI will develop and integrate a cloud detection algorithm and then evaluate its performance via live, ground-based testing under degraded environmental conditions.
