Implemented by 
| Supported by 
Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR
UAS Design Specification
UAS prototypes entered in this challenge will be subject to the requirements and limitations defined in the UAS Design Specification (outlined below). The UAS must not be a completely unaltered commercial, off-the-shelf UAS as the intent of the challenge is to design a UAS that is purpose-built to the objectives and requirements of the challenge. The following table describes the design requirements for the First Responder UAS Indoor Challenge. The “Requirement Title” is the nomenclature used to refer to the Requirement. The “Requirement Definition” describes the meaning of the specific requirement. The “Minimum Capability” represents mandatory capabilities of the UAS and minimum acceptable values for the specific requirement. The “Preferred Capability” provides guidance where higher standards are sought and expected. Each Minimum or Preferred Capability applies to all stages of the challenge unless a deviation is noted below.
| Requirement Title | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
UAS Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) |
Requirement DefinitionThe price that UAS would sell for in a store. Includes the cost of formal flight training if required. Includes cost of licensed frequency if required. Minimum CapabilityMSRP of $7,500 or less. Preferred CapabilityMSRP of $5,000 or less. |
Real Time Red, Green, Blue (RGB) Video |
Requirement DefinitionReal-time video is the ability to provide full motion video to the ground control station during anticipated mission operations. The video link needs to be able to maintain quality transmission through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall provide real time full motion video to the ground control station at a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second. Preferred CapabilityMaximize resolution and frame rate. Encrypted solution. |
Local (Onboard) Recording |
Requirement DefinitionData recording of onboard UAS sensors/payloads that can be reviewed post flight. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall provide recorded video that is stored on UAS or on storage device that can be viewed post flight. Must be a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second. Preferred CapabilityMaximize resolution and frame rate. Ability to record sensor/payload data from the UAS controller. Ability to record audio if equipped. Ability to record flight telemetry data. |
Flight Time |
Requirement DefinitionThe amount of time that the UAS can fly on one fully charged battery. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to fly a minimum of 15 minutes. Preferred CapabilityGreater than 30 minutes “industry standard.” |
Flyability (Ease of Control) |
Requirement DefinitionThe ease in which the pilot/operator is able to control the UAS in the flight environment. This includes the ability to maintain a constant position when the remote pilot in command (RPIC) is not providing any control input (hands off) and the ability to easily navigate and maneuver in a GPS-denied environment. Various levels of autonomy may be incorporated. Minimum CapabilityDuring the live flight event, the UAS can be operated in the challenge live event by someone with formal flight training specific to the UAS. Preferred CapabilityIncorporate sensors that will assist the operator in the overall control of the UAS in dark and constrained spaces. Can be operated without formal flight training by someone with little to no experience in the challenge environment. |
Ease of Operation |
Requirement DefinitionThe ease in which the UAS can be operated. This includes the amount of personnel it takes to operate and how portable the UAS is. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 2 people can carry and unload. Preferred CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 1 person can carry and unload. |
Power Source |
Requirement DefinitionThe type of power that is used to operate the UAS. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be battery operated only. Preferred CapabilityN/A |
Ground Station Control (GCS) |
Requirement DefinitionThe device used to control the UAS. This includes the command and control (C2) link. The C2 link needs to be able to maintain control of UAS through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials Minimum CapabilityAbility to provide command and control through multiple indoor obstructions. Preferred CapabilityFrequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Encrypted C2 link. |
Flight Termination System (FTS) |
Requirement DefinitionThe FTS is a subsystem that can immediately cut power to all UAS motors at once when activated or initiates an inverted dive for a horizontal flight aircraft. Activation shall be possible for any one of the following:
Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be equipped with an FTS (i.e., a Kill Switch) that when activated cuts power to all motors. Preferred CapabilityN/A |
Deployment Time |
Requirement DefinitionThe amount of time it takes to deploy the aircraft from a packed carrying case to taking off for flight. Minimum CapabilityDeployable in 10 minutes. Preferred CapabilityDeployable in 3 minutes or less. |
Additional Preferred Capabilities (No minimum) |
|
Thermal (Infrared) |
Requirement DefinitionSensors that enable UAS operators to see invisible temperaturedata. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityCapable of displaying thermal data and detecting hotspots. |
Night Vision |
Requirement DefinitionCamera that enables the UAS operator to see into dark rooms/spaces. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityCapable of displaying night vision on GCS in place of the standard RGB video stream. |
Audio |
Requirement DefinitionCapability that the operator can use to communicate via the UAS with someone, or the operator can listen to what is happening on the UAS side. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred Capability1-way Operator to UAS, |
Auto-flip (Turtle) |
Requirement DefinitionCapability of the UAS to right itself after it has landed in an abnormal orientation. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
Battery Swappable |
Requirement DefinitionThe UAS battery can be swapped out for a fully charged battery. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
Perching |
Requirement DefinitionThe UAS can land on an uneven surface and maintain a level attitude by intermittently using motors. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
| Requirement Title / Requirement Details |
|---|
UAS Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)Requirement DefinitionThe price that UAS would sell for in a store. Includes the cost of formal flight training if required. Includes cost of licensed frequency if required. Minimum CapabilityMSRP of $7,500 or less. Preferred CapabilityMSRP of $5,000 or less. |
Real Time Red, Green, Blue (RGB) VideoRequirement DefinitionReal-time video is the ability to provide full motion video to the ground control station during anticipated mission operations. The video link needs to be able to maintain quality transmission through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall provide real time full motion video to the ground control station at a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second. Preferred CapabilityMaximize resolution and frame rate. Encrypted solution. |
Local (Onboard) RecordingRequirement DefinitionData recording of onboard UAS sensors/payloads that can be reviewed post flight. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall provide recorded video that is stored on UAS or on storage device that can be viewed post flight. Must be a minimum resolution of 1280 X 720 pixels at 30 frames per second. Preferred CapabilityMaximize resolution and frame rate. Ability to record sensor/payload data from the UAS controller. Ability to record audio if equipped. Ability to record flight telemetry data. |
Flight TimeRequirement DefinitionThe amount of time that the UAS can fly on one fully charged battery. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to fly a minimum of 15 minutes. Preferred CapabilityGreater than 30 minutes “industry standard.” |
Flyability (Ease of Control)Requirement DefinitionThe ease in which the pilot/operator is able to control the UAS in the flight environment. This includes the ability to maintain a constant position when the remote pilot in command (RPIC) is not providing any control input (hands off) and the ability to easily navigate and maneuver in a GPS-denied environment. Various levels of autonomy may be incorporated. Minimum CapabilityDuring the live flight event, the UAS can be operated in the challenge live event by someone with formal flight training specific to the UAS. Preferred CapabilityIncorporate sensors that will assist the operator in the overall control of the UAS in dark and constrained spaces. Can be operated without formal flight training by someone with little to no experience in the challenge environment. |
Ease of OperationRequirement DefinitionThe ease in which the UAS can be operated. This includes the amount of personnel it takes to operate and how portable the UAS is. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 2 people can carry and unload. Preferred CapabilityThe UAS shall be able to be operated by 1 person. The UAS shall also be portable enough that 1 person can carry and unload. |
Power SourceRequirement DefinitionThe type of power that is used to operate the UAS. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be battery operated only. Preferred CapabilityN/A |
Ground Station Control (GCS)Requirement DefinitionThe device used to control the UAS. This includes the command and control (C2) link. The C2 link needs to be able to maintain control of UAS through multiple indoor obstructions made of various building materials Minimum CapabilityAbility to provide command and control through multiple indoor obstructions. Preferred CapabilityFrequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Encrypted C2 link. |
Flight Termination System (FTS)Requirement DefinitionThe FTS is a subsystem that can immediately cut power to all UAS motors at once when activated or initiates an inverted dive for a horizontal flight aircraft. Activation shall be possible for any one of the following: 1. If the UAS passes a geofence set by the contestant. Minimum CapabilityThe UAS shall be equipped with an FTS (i.e., a Kill Switch) that when activated cuts power to all motors. Preferred CapabilityN/A |
Deployment TimeRequirement DefinitionThe amount of time it takes to deploy the aircraft from a packed carrying case to taking off for flight. Minimum CapabilityDeployable in 10 minutes. Preferred CapabilityDeployable in 3 minutes or less. |
Thermal (Infrared)Requirement DefinitionSensors that enable UAS operators to see invisible temperaturedata. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityCapable of displaying thermal data and detecting hotspots. |
Night VisionRequirement DefinitionCamera that enables the UAS operator to see into dark rooms/spaces. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityCapable of displaying night vision on GCS in place of the standard RGB video stream. |
AudioRequirement DefinitionCapability that the operator can use to communicate via the UAS with someone, or the operator can listen to what is happening on the UAS side. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred Capability1-way Operator to UAS, |
Auto-flip (Turtle)Requirement DefinitionCapability of the UAS to right itself after it has landed in an abnormal orientation. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
Battery SwappableRequirement DefinitionThe UAS battery can be swapped out for a fully charged battery. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
PerchingRequirement DefinitionThe UAS can land on an uneven surface and maintain a level attitude by intermittently using motors. Minimum CapabilityN/A Preferred CapabilityDemonstrated capability |
Implemented by | Supported by
Implemented by Capital Consulting Corporation & Kansas State University – Salina, Supported by NIST & PSCR
