March 10, 2017
Public Affairs, Volume 64, Number 10
First use of sUAS to inspect plane lessens load for maintainers By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
When the 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force used a quadcopter to conduct a maintenance inspection of the exterior of a C-17 Globemaster III Monday, it marked the second time the CTF used a small unmanned aerial system in a new application that shows promise. The test involved flying the quadcopter at various distances from the C-17, which is on loan to Edwards for upgrades and testing from the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. This was the first time the ET CTF flew an sUAS on the flightline. Winds remained manageable and allowed the test team to conduct three flights with the quadcopter, which was fitted with a video camera. Live video was assessed by the team, including maintainers, to determine if the quality was adequate for routine inspections. Video recorded from the quadcopter’s camera will be analyzed to see if it is clear enough to see smaller details of the cargo plane’s exterior such as structural abnormalities, rivets and cracks. According to Maj. Dan Riley, ET CTF director, the test was so successful that the maintainers used the data to sign off their preflight external inspection, a first for the Air Force. “This could save [maintainers] a lot of time,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Jaburek, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Lewis-McChord. “When we go on top of the airplane, we can only
The 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force conducted three test sorties Monday using a quadcopter to inspect a C-17 Globemaster III. Maj. Dan Riley, ET CTF director, and Maj. William Niblack, ET CTF operations officer, piloted the small unmanned aerial system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)
walk on certain parts and then we have to hook and unhook our (safety harness) every few feet.” Jaburek said inspections that would normally take 45 minutes to an hour could be done just in a few minutes with a quadcopter if it’s successful. Maintainers also would not need a lift to inspect a C-17’s tail. According to Capt. Justin Merrick, ET CTF lead engineer, the CTF got the idea from seeing a video online showing a commercial airline company using an sUAS to inspect a plane. “[Leadership] encourages us to go out and conduct tests, so after we saw some videos online we contacted some maintainers See Quadcopter, page 2
Innovation: Exploring the unseen with augmented reality
From 412th Test Wing Experimentation Center for Ideas/Technology Exploration
Imagine walking into the Benefield Anechoic Facility, putting on an augmented reality visor and “seeing” your proposed test setup or being able to view test scenarios and test results, all without being disconnected from those around you. What if you could see virtual antenna polar patterns superimposed on aircraft or the effects of electromagnetic interference? Those are just some of the potential uses of emerging AR technology, and the 412th Electronic Warfare Group is eager to use the technology to explore the invisible world. EWG’s Modeling and Simulation Flight, headed by Jerry Lockwood, plans to acquire several Microsoft HoloLens and Meta 2 AR systems to begin developing AR models and integrating the use of AR into the EW
A B-52 Stratofortress prepares to undergo electronic warfare testing in the Benefield Anechoic Facility Jan. 10, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ethan Wagner)
workflow and expand their capabilities. That’s only the beginning, proponents say. AR systems could eventually be loaded with 3-D renderings of the internal structures, wiring, hydraulic and fuel systems of aircraft to aid maintainers in their work and streamline aircraft maintenance operations. When you take a minute to look
around, it’s easy to identify potential uses for AR technology in the Air Force both today and in the future. Modeling and Simulation Flight testers say they intend to exploit those opportunities. To learn more about the 412th TW innovation program, or to submit ideas, email theodore.wuth@us.af.mil or christopher.nagel.1@us.af.mil.