QUALIFICATION OF MQ-9B FOR SATCOM TAXI, TAKEOFF, AND LANDING

摘要

In 2017, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully demonstrated its Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) using a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) data link for its MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The demonstration also included the first SATCOM taxi of MQ-9B. This paper will describe the testing strategy needed to qualify the MQ-9B aircraft for SATCOM taxi, takeoff, and landing. Three subjects will be described in detail: (1) the overall system test philosophy used for development of the test plan, (2) the test methodology used for each phase, (3) the test safety concerns that were addressed for this test series.