International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / A Flight Safety System (RAFS) for multiple, reliable Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV’s) capable of flying Over-the-Horizon (OTH) and outside test range airspace. In addition to the flight safety application, the described full-duplex data link is suitable as a backup command and control link for UAV’s, and for sensor control & data exfiltration. The IRIDIUM satellite system was selected to provide the communications link and because of its global coverage and requisite data throughputs. A Risk Reduction activity ensued to quantify IRIDIUM performance. Hardware and software was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of using IRIDIUM in a flight safety scenario.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 21, 2002 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / This paper presents a Flight Safety System (FSS) for multiple, reliable Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV’s) capable of flying Over-the-Horizon (OTH) and outside test range airspace. Expanded uses beyond flight safety, such as UAV Air Traffic Control, are considered also. This system satisfies the operational requirement for a Hazard Control Communication Channel as well as providing a reverse communications channel to provide Safety Critical Information to the Range Safety Officer (RSO). Upon examining 60 communications candidates, IRIDIUM accessed through a Data Distribution Network (DDN), with ARINC being a potential service provider, is recommended.