Field Outings

For our outing, we were to map a section of McCormick Woods. Dr. Hupy, Ryan Ferguson and Evan Hockridge were ground station, while the rest of the class were assigned as visual observers. For this mission our class was to gather data on the different colors and species of trees. The main focus was to see if it is plausible to classify trees based on their colors, during the fall season. The Yuneec platform was used to gather data at 62 meters. This is an ongoing process and data is gathered every Tuesday. Since the forest is large enough to lose visual sight of the aircraft, we split up into three groups. Two observer groups and flight control group were the assigned groups. Each group was assigned a radio, when the the group had visual contact they would report it to flight control. When contact was lost it would also be reported. The three groups would rotate around the forest after each flight to get all the required data of the forest. Communication was brief but professional to ensure that line of sight was constant.

QGIS Introduction

GIS is an acronym used for geographic information system. GIS is not just software, it involves the entire process of presenting geographical data. From how one captures it to processing it, storing it and presenting it involves GIS. Dr. Hupy stressed that GIS is not a software, but a group of people working together to process this data to a usable, readable form of data.

Proprietary GIS software generally involves a company that owns the rights and the intellectual property behind the software. The company within has its own employees that code and work the program so that people can use it, at a cost. This software is not free and generally very expensive. Open source GIS software is free and runs on the users of the program to make it better. The programmers who use open source can embed their own code to a version that can be made specifically for them, or their use. No one owns the foundational code, so anyone who wants to use it, is free to do so. But they cannot make their own modifications to see or copyright it, since it is owned by the users. Any modifications are freely made available to any user that might be interested in using it. This is one of the ways that open source GIS software is upgraded. Users make small or big improvements then it is sent to the users to be analyzed. If the upgrade is deemed useful to the program as a whole it can then be implemented into the core software.

Open source GIS software is particularly useful for UAS industry because the user can code their own form of software tailored to their specific need. They can also work with groups of people the ensure that the software will present the best form of data to the end consumer. If a company that processes data for farmers and crops wants a map, it will be drastically different than a company needing a map for mining operations. The software will be directed towards which map they need. In proprietary software if a user needed a certain tool that didn't previously exist, they would need to make a technical ticket and describe what they need. After that, if the company that has the software decides its useful, they will then have their software engineers create that tool. The user then has to buy the tool from the company, potentially costing a lot of money.

In QGIS, we were to make a hillshade map from data previously gathered. We took the color image and created a DSM, or digital surface model. From there, we did an analysis of the DSM to create a hillshade of the map. If we wanted, we could choose from different color presets available. Each color representing a change in elevation. The previous lab required us to use a different software called ArcMap, although I could not due to me being out of the state for an aviation related event.

Creating the false color IR image of the farm was another task. First, the color image was split up into different colors, red, blue, and green. Then the layers were stacked on top and assigned a different color. At first, setting the bands to different colors was difficult. The correct sequence was needed to be set before the image would display a false color IR image. After putting in different sequences the image was eventually displaying a false color IR image of the farm.

GIS software and data is very useful for the UAS industry. Most of the industry does most of its work with high tech sensors and displaying data. Farmers, miners, construction, and government projects all rely on software processing to put out useful data to solve a problem. This software is going to be prove very useful for the capstone project of tree species delineation. Asking whether or not a UAS can perform this task better than a manned plane from varying altitudes.

Pathfinders Trip

On October 4th-7th I was invited to attend the Pathfinders Gala award ceremony in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Kozak was leading the trip and wanted me to represent Purdue in both aeronautical engineering technology and unmanned aerial systems. The gala was not until Saturday but there were before hand events, introducing us to some of the people who had the pathfinders gala possible.

     On the first day, we flew out and had free time since there was nothing planned for Thursday. Me and my group got to site see Seattle and indulge ourselves in the different culture there. The next day was going to be full of events. In the morning, we had a personalized tour of the Boeing facility. This part was my favorite part, we were able to be on the ground right next to where Boeing assembled their 787s, 777s, 747s, and other jets. The first plane we were able to see was a 787 Dreamliner being assembled. The first stage was a tail end being assembled and being readied for the next stage. We were able to walk inside the tail end and look around to see how complex these airplanes truly are. It was an amazing experience. The next couple of stages we were not able to see around inside due to the planes being tested and worked on. The last stage was an almost fully built 787, the only aspect of this plane that wasn't being worked on or done was the engines. The tour guide (a Purdue alumni) said that whenever an aircraft is delayed, its most likely the engines or seats on board. We were able to walk inside the new 787 and take a look around to see what a brand new one looked like. That was also an amazing experience that I will not forget. After the 787, we went to go see the 777-X. This experimental aircraft had fold-able wing tips to decrease the overall wingspan for taxiing and docking to gates. We did not get to see the actual aircraft, funny enough, they did not know where this monstrous plane had gone. That just proved to me how big this manufacturing plant actually was. Although we did not get to see the whole plane, we did get to see a wing of the 777-X, with the wing being stowed (up position). After the 777-X we went to go inside a 747 freighter, again this plane was huge and just an awesome sight to see. We walked around the deck and underneath it, being able to see all that was there and what still needed to be finished. At the end, we stumbled upon the Senior Director of the facility there. Another experience that was very enlightening. That summed up our tour of the facility, it was truly one of a kind experience for someone who has never been in an environment like that. 

     After the tour we attended the Raisbeck high school event, an event prior to the actual gala. Here we were able to talk to some very brilliant minds in the aviation world. I had the absolute honor of sitting next to Peter Morton, a 42 year Boeing employee retiring as Vice President. He asked me questions about the integration of unmanned aerial systems in U.S airspace and whether or not I believed UAS would take over manned aviation commercially. An awesome experience being able to talk with Peter. After this event, we were invited to go to James Raisbeck's house. There we were able to talk to the high school students who were apart of the event. We toured his house and priceless cars and artifacts. The next day was the actual Pathfinders Gala. The gala was held at the Museum of Flight, we were able to eat under some very special aircraft. There was an SR-71, Ford Tri-motor, and a Scan Eagle. The gala consisted of introducing previous Pathfinders and an interview with the two newest Pathfinders, Phil Condit and Dennis O'Donoghue. Both were interviewed about how they came to the aviation and lessons they had learned along the way. Very inspiring talks from both and showed how if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. At the end, a surprise was announced that  Peter Morton was also receiving a Pathfinders award for his contribution to the Pathfinders event. Instead of two winners, there were three. Peter Morton was stepping down as the founder so the board found it appropriate that Peter should be awarded as well. 

     This Seattle trip was the best trip I had ever been on. It showed me how excited I was for my career in the next couple of year. I was able to spend time with a great group of Purdue students that became great friends, while learning about aviation. If I was given to chance to go back again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I learned a great deal about the industry and life lessons from the Pathfinders.

Ethical and Moral Dilemma of UAVs

               UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Systems) have been around for much longer than the general population is aware. Though these older systems weren’t finely perfected through advanced technology, they were all UAV just the same. Mostly used for surveillance and taking videos/photos, these UAV’s were highly experimental and generally didn’t last long. Manned planes were the dominating force because radio technology limited the reliability of UAVs.  The culture back then was almost very resistant to UAVs, describing them as toys. Another use of UAVs in the older times was target practice for manned pilots. The manned aircrafts were also much easier ethically. Bombing runs, precision strikes, and air support were all planed. From routes all the way to the pilot releasing the bombs, it was structured and organized. Once UAVs were armed, more specifically the predator, many concerns were highlighted. Who should give the call to launch a missile? Is it different from a manned plane? Is a UAV with a warhead legal under international treaties?

               Modern day, one of the most highly controversial topics surrounding the military is the use of drones to perform precision strikes on high value targets. Concerns vary from misinformation of a target, civilian casualties, and the effect of this on the pilot. In the book Predator, the original armed Predator 3034, was the first drone ever to perform a deadly strike. Following this milestone for military drones was a laundry list of legal and ethical questions that delayed progress. To begin off, the culture behind UAVs was miniscule and unsupported. Higher ranking individuals considered them toys and very unreliable. Although they were unreliable to begin off, they could be much more than toys. Pilots didn’t care for the drones either, which made finding pilots even harder. Once the technology started gaining traction and support, there were still many people that did not believe in this technology.

               Once the predator started to get serious support and use, people started seeing how useful this system was. One of the biggest uses was to keep an eye on potentially deadly targets. The most notable one was Osama Bin Laden. After watching him for a considerable time, the predator support team realized how useful it would be to be able to have a “see and shoot” system. The predator’s main job during this time was surveillance and buddy lazing for airstrikes. If the team had the chance to strike, they should be able to without having to wait for an air strike. This came from an incident where the predator drones crew was deciding whether to laze a target, they kept on waiting for confirmation when they overheard a nearby airport getting ready to deploy a jet. They decided that if the enemy saw the drone, they would shoot it down and cause a fiasco for the U.S government. So, they backed the predator drone off. If they would have been able to bomb the target, being Osama Bin Laden, they could have potentially prevented 9/11.

               Once the drone was finally in the process of being armed, they were bogged down by bureaucratic laws. One treaty signed by the U.S and formerly known Soviet Union, barred the use of anti-ballistic missile systems. Lawyers and bureaucrats argued that putting a Hellfire missile on a predator drone could constitute a system described in this treaty. They could not do any flight testing or put a missile on this system until they had the green light to do so. Eventually, they argued that the predator drone does not have a warhead in its nose, but rather on a separate pod, and the project was a go. Even after the project was completed, the question of who gets the fire the missile was still up in the air. The chain of command for giving an order was completely unorganized. Even to this day, there is still debate about who should give the order to launch a precision strike.

               In opinion, given good information and actionable intelligence, drone strikes are war marvels. Being able to loiter around a target suspected of carrying out a terrorist attack, then assassinate them when sure of their identity, can give the upper hand in the war against terrorists. Although this can be useful, this can all take a deep dive into tragedy. Civilian casualties are the biggest concern to me. It is best for the nation when the United States takes out a terrorist, but if you kill civilians at the same time, you may have just made more terrorists. Loss of innocent life is truly a tragedy that needs to be avoided at all costs. It is not only illegal and backwards to our cause, but it can destroy the life of people who have no part in terror and only want to be left alone. Some people equate “pulling the trigger” on a strike in a drone is no different than a video game. Flash of light on a screen of the missile being launched at a white glob, then boom target is gone. Ensuring no civilian casualties should be number one concern when performing a precision strike on a high value target.

               Another ethical concern is privacy. While to me I don’t understand the big deal behind this one, many people do. Should the government be able to watch the civilians with an unmanned aerial system such as a predator drone? Personally, satellites and spy planes, such as the legendary SR-71, have had the opportunity to spy on anyone since they were first designed. Both old technology but principle is still the same. Relating this to drone technology is no different. Should a random civilian be able to fly his/her drone over your property? When is it considered stalking or spying? Can the owner take counter-UAV actions? I think that adults are (hopefully) mature and smart enough to tell the different between someone stalking you and someone taking a nice picture of a sunset. If the drone is hovering over your house and taking pictures of inside your window, there’s a good chance they aren’t enjoying the sunset. So, in my opinion, if there is someone flying that close to your property taking odd photos, yes you should be able to take it down. Even that spurs many questions, what is too close? What legal way can you shoot it down? Who pays for damages in this scenario?

               Ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding the drone world will most likely never go away, but instead evolve into different questions. Drone have the fantastic ability to perform missions never heard of before with relatively cheap technology. Even with the expensive military technology, drones can perform very dangerous missions in enemy airspace with no danger to human life, only an expendable machine. Like every other machine and tool, they can help mankind with a plethora of issues to make life easier. And on the opposite end, they can also have the power to deal great damage. Responsibility and teaching each other about these tools can make a great impact.

                

Capstone Proposal

Below is the power point of my group proposal. We decided to pick this specific topic because it involved areas of expertise that all of us had. Evan has the data processing and analyst, I have the experience and interest in integration of sensors, and Thomas has the experience with flight paths. Below is the abstract for our project with the power point followed.