New Test Method for Evaluating Aerial Response Robot Capabilities: Takeoff and Land
1. Scope
This test method is used to determine under what environmental conditions the sUAS is able to takeoff from in order to initiate flight and to land/perch on (e.g., uneven ground, nearby obstructions), which may be inhibited by built-in safety check functionality or stabilization issues. A series of conditions are specified that define variations in the ground plane (pitch/roll angle, sensor interference due to material/proximity to external electronics) and nearby obstructions (overhead or lateral obstructions). These variations in the environment can impact a system’s ability to takeoff and/or land/perch as it is common for sUAS to have built-in functionality that checks for level ground and/or the presence of obstructions nearby. Such functionality may not allow for the system to launch due to safety concerns (e.g., sUAS behavior may require ascension to a certain height upon takeoff before continuing to operate), or systems without such safety precautions may allow them to attempt takeoff and land/perch regardless of the environment, which may cause collisions or rollovers.
Keywords
small unmanned aerial systems; suas; takeoff; land
Rationale
No existing standard exists for evaluating the ability of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS; or aerial response robots) to takeoff and land in environments of varying ground plane angle, obstructions, and lighting, despite military and public safety utilizing these systems in these environments.
