Slashes Paperwork, Accelerates Unmanned Aviation Development

The U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is accelerating UAS testing capabilities with a new experimentation system it recently unveiled at the Webster Outlying Field at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

The Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Payload Experimentation System, or TULEPS, is essentially a generic UAS the Navy can use to first focus on the specific payload under development. The tether enables the UAS testbed to fly in almost any weather conditions, provide power to the payload for extended time periods, and securely transmit testing data. It is also flexible and can be used on ships or trucks.

The biggest advantage is that it streamlines testing be allowing a payload to be loaded onto the UAV without the requirement of a flight clearance every time. This minimizes the paperwork necessary and accelerates the cadence of testing new payloads.

James Tomasic, NAWCAD lead experimentation engineer said, “When we test payloads on specific UAVs, it requires significant money, time and effort because of the limitations of the UAV – TULEPS is an innovative resource that allows us to focus first on the development of the actual payload technology. After we’ve worked through the technical issues and are comfortable with the payload, we can focus on implementing that technology on a specific UAV platform.”

The Experimentation Office within NAWCAD worked with DPI UAV Systems to stand up the new test capability. A two-day TULEPS event with classroom and hands-on training was held for 10 UX-24 air vehicle operators who are now the command’s first qualified TULEPS operators.

Lt. Col. Jason Noll, Chief Test Pilot at NAWCAD’s Unmanned Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (UX) 24 said, “If we want to test an electronic warfare pod, a new communication antenna or an electro-optical surveillance sensor, we can put it on the TULEPS system with very little paperwork. The system is already approved, so we don’t have to obtain a new clearance – we can test on a shorter timeline with fewer manhours and save money as well.”

FMI:  www.navair.navy.mil/