SBIR-STTR Award

An acute need exists to find surrogate sensor solutions to train our Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance aircrews for deployed sensor management responsibilities. Due to operational restrictions, limited home-station training resources, and cost inefficiencies, training with actual partner airborne assets is not possible. The purpose of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) to act as deployed sensor surrogates and affordably enhance sensor management training at home station. The proposed solution enables the training unit to hand-launch an ARES group II sUAS with Trillium HD40 sensor, establish a video uplink with an airborne ISR platform, and send encrypted video feed (controlled by an instructor) to the airborne asset, in support of the unit’s existing mission readiness training exercises. A commercial version of this solution is in demand and in development for use in the oil and gas industry as well as the Department of the Interior to augment aerial coverage for emergency response and crisis management as well as preventative maintenance.

A national defense-related mission need exists in the area of a surrogate UAS to serve as an ISR platform for training/exercises. Trumbull will initially expand on existing commercial efforts providing a surrogate UAS training system capable of replicating multiple currently fielded systems ranging from Group 1 to Group 5 UAS. While utilizing and employing the system for organic training further development will go into providing a proven, rapidly deployable combat support system capable of small unmanned systems data collection and data analysis in support of operations. Specifically, threat environment data collection for instantaneous decision making towards operational plans for real-time mission accomplishment evaluation needs. The two main goals of our involvement in this project are first the ability to run live scenario training missions when all other assets are in use operationally, and secondly the integration of a proven small unmanned system designed to meet the needs of rapid response in extremely hostile and quick turn data needed environments. The mission impact of this project on the USAF and DOD will be proven ISR to support both leadership and "boots on the ground" operators with immediate up to date information needed to enhance safely executed and successful missions.