SBIR-STTR Award

In this Phase I effort, PEMDAS Technologies and Innovations, in collaboration with Aerovel, Inc., proposes to assess the feasibility of developing a multi-mission, transdisciplinary manned aerial platform, capable of fulfilling NOAA’s requirement to survey, map and collect on our nation’s natural ecosystems. Combining Aerovel’s experience in UAS development with PEMDAS’ atmospheric sensor expertise, we propose adapting proven UAS technologies with advanced sensor development to design the Low-Altitude Maritime Survey-Sampling (LAMSS) system, an innovative solution intended to deliver the necessary capabilities for Electro-Optical and Infrared and full motion video maritime surveys using Automatic Identification System with simultaneous collection of planetary boundary layer (PBL) observations to enable the government to monitor the planet’s air and water resources in remote maritime locations and measure its boundary layer more safely and with greater effectiveness. As outlined in the proposal, the technical challenges primarily surround identification and integration of viable technologies capable of meeting the stringent operational requirements detailed in the subtopic description. An extensive review and evaluation of currently available technologies will be conducted in design of the LAMSS system. A proof-of-concept demonstration flight will be conducted to show the feasibility of integrating a suite of atmospheric sensors onto the candidate platform.

In this Phase II effort, PEMDAS Technologies and Innovations (PEMDAS), in collaboration with subcontractor Aerovel, Inc., proposes to fully develop a prototype Low-Altitude Maritime SurveySampling (LAMSS) System using the technologies identified and knowledge gained during our Phase I effort. The proposed innovation will deliver the necessary capabilities for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) and full motion video (FMV) maritime surveys while leveraging an onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS); the LAMSS system will also simultaneously collect planetary boundary layer (PBL) observations, better enabling monitoring of the planet’s air and water resources in remote maritime locations, and measurement of its boundary layer more safely and with greater effectiveness. As outlined in the proposal, the technical challenges associated with this Phase II effort primarily surround: (1) the identification of a viable Air Quality (AQ) sensor capable of meeting the operational requirements detailed in the subtopic description; (2) formal evaluation and downselect of the final algorithm to be used for derivation of wind speed and direction; and (3) the integration of downselected technologies and algorithms into a single (LAMSS) system to deliver a multi-mission, transdisciplinary unmanned aerial prototype, capable of fulfilling NOAA’s requirement to survey, map and collect on our nation’s natural ecosystems.SUMMARY OF

Anticipated Results:
The outcome of this Phase II effort will be a functional prototype of the LAMSS System capable of meeting NOAA’s operational requirements, and ready for commercialization (Phase III).