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| Rockwell Collins successfully completed the test flight using The University of Iowa OPL Ferox UAS. Photo: Rockwell Collins |
[Avionics Today 07-08-2016] Rockwell Collins, in collaboration with The University of Iowa’s Operator Performance Lab (OPL), successfully controlled an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) using its end-to-end UAS integrated avionics solution. The test flight was a key milestone toward the successful operation of UAS beyond an operator’s visual line of sight in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Key elements of Rockwell Collins’ UAS integrated avionics solution, which is optimized for safe and secure integration of UAS into civil airspace, include:
• A Ground Control Station (GCS) based on Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion — an FAA- and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-certified integrated avionics solution;
• A command and control network that uses Rockwell Collins’ CNPC-1000 command and control data link, a UAS data link set to implement the recommended Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) Special Committee (SC)-228 UAS Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for UAS Command and Control (C2); and
• Rockwell Collins’ Athena UAS avionics with integrated navigation and flight controls that have over a million hours of safe and reliable operation.
In the coming weeks, Rockwell Collins plans to conduct its next UAS test flight, continuing to extend the range of safe beyond visual line of sight operations.