MicroPilot Performs for NASA
August 31, 2005
MicroPilot, the world leading manufacturer of miniature autopilots for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and micro aerial vehicles (MAV) performed flawlessly for NASA.
This summer under the direction of Mark A. Motter, Ph.D., PE NASA Langley Research Center Electronics System Branch, the NASA Flying Controls Testbed (FLiC) was successfully demonstrated at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (AUVSI) UAV Demo 2005 at Webster Field, MD, on June 27th, 2005. The FLiC, equipped with a MicroPilot MP2x28g autopilot, is a converted AN/FQM-117B Army target drone, with extensive modifications to the wing to provide 16 independent aileron segments. The MicroPilot MP2028g autopilot not only provided stabilization and navigation, but the capability to test C-coded experimental flight controllers was achieved through MicroPilot’s EXTENDERmp Software Developers Kit.
The flight was fully autonomous from takeoff roll to landing, without manual control at any time. Several segments of the flight were used to execute programmed flight test maneuvers such as a series of pitch step commands, approach to landing with a simulated go-around, and independent control of half of the 16 aileron segments through MicroPilot’s HORIZONmp ground control software station. Video was transmitted in real time showing several programmed deployments of the independently controlled aileron segments. The throttle and all aileron segments were under control of NASA-developed controllers implemented with MicroPilot’s EXTENDERmp Software Developers Kit.
Dr. Mark A. Motter, Ph.D stated,
“The NASA FLiC was the only vehicle to takeoff from and land on the runway surface without some sort of manual control. Both the MP2028g autopilot, along with the XTENDERmp performed beyond expectations.”
That is why for NASA, MicroPilot is the choice with over 300 UAV integrators in 47 countries. For reputation, versatility, dependability and innovation, MicroPilot is the world leader in miniature autopilots.
Lisa Shaw
Director of Communications
MicroPilot
Phone: 204 344 5558 ext. 230
Cell: 204 510-2942
Email: lshaw@micropilot.com
www.micropilot.com
Mark A. Motter, Ph.D.,PE
NASA Langley Research Center
Electronics System Branch
Phone: (757) 864-6978
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