An Autonomous UAS Detect, Sense, and Avoid System (AU-DSA) Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-079 Topic Title: An Autonomous UAS Detect, Sense, and Avoid System (AU-DSA) Proposal No.: N081-079-1477 Firm: Aerotonomy, Incorporated 591 Thornton Rd, Suite A Lithia Springs, Georgia 30122-1546 Contact: James Neidhoefer Phone: (678) 398-1135 Web Site: http://www.aerotonomy.com/ Abstract: The proposing team will develop a practical, complete Autonomous UAS Detect, Sense, and Avoid (AU-DSA) system for safe and effective UAS operations within the National Airspace System (NAS) and outside of Special Use Airspace. The AU-DSA will incorporate a compact, flexible, state-of-the-art avionics system, innovative guidance algorithms designed to comply with FAA-mandated operating procedures, and an intuitive interface for communications with operators, ATC, or other pilots in order to provide the complete range of functionalities needed for a UAS to operate safely and autonomously in the NAS. Benefits: As UAVs continue to proliferate, the need for systems that can provide these vehicles with autonomous detect, sense, and avoid capabilities, and the need to operate these systems in the same airspace as manned aircraft will become ever more critical. The DoD, NASA, and the FAA have all recognized this need, and continue to support a variety of UAS/NAS integration activities. Not only are UAS the fastest growing weapon in the U.S. arsenal, UAS are currently the fastest growing segment in the aerospace sector worldwide, with an estimated global market value of over $2 billion. Future FAA regulations will likely require systems like the AU-DSA for operations in the NAS, meaning that nearly every UAS operated by the military or private contractors will represent a potential opportunity for integration of an AU-DSA system. Return