Unmanned and Autonomous Aerial Systems Research @NPS

Excellence in education and research in the area of autonomous systems is one of NPS' strategic goals. This includes unmanned and autonomous aerial systems.

These systems have proven to be an extremely valuable assets within many industries. They have also proven to be effective when used as a weapon.

These days, Federal Aviation Administration slowly opens the national airspace to small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and sets its own rules for sUAS fliers. However, being a part of the government, NPS has to follow and comply with a set of even stricter constraints and regulations as imposed by the DoD and DoN.

While these constraints and regulations may seem too complex and unnecessary for an educational institution, it is a goal of the NPS Research Office (and this website) to consolidate and streamline them to assist our educators and researchers to fulfil their mission of providing relevant and unique advanced education and research in the most effective way.

The authorities and responsibilities of the Designated Approving Authority (DAA) for Non-Program of Record (Non-POR) Group 1 and Group 2 UAS operations at NPS reside with the NPS President. DAA designated Assistant Chief of Staff for Aviation Activities (ACOS-AA) as the Aircraft Reporting Custodian (ARC). The NPS UAS Ops Executive Board that consists of Associate Dean of Research, ACOS-AA and Aviation Operations Officer (OPSO) / Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), was established to handle / approve all UAS-related issues / activities at NPS in accordance with 

• COMNAVAIRFORINST 3710.9, the original Guidance for the Operation of Department of Navy Group 1 and 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 20 Nov 2017, and the CNAF M-3710.9 Training and Operations Manual Group 1 and 2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 1 Sep 2021, which is further specified as applied to NPS in
• NPSINST 3700.1B, Naval Postgraduate School Group 1 and 2 UAS Training and Operations, (20 April 2020) 

In short, an NPS faculty, staff or student wishing to operate sUAS needs to follow a five-step procedure:

1. Make sure that his/her sUAS is covered by one of two NPS’ Interim Flight Clearances (IFC) issued by NAVAIR AirWorks. This also includes reviewing the IFC (and Standard Operating Procedure for NPS sUAS) and understanding relevant limitations and restrictions for flying NPS sUAS
2. Make sure his/her sUAS is added to the NPS’ sUAS inventory
3. Complete AND pass a baseline UAS Medical Certification Exam
4. Take a Basic UAS Qualification (BUQ) course, at https://suasman.josce.mil (SUASMAN Login). This course is a stand-alone four-hour BUQ I/II course covering VFR operations in Class E, G, and combat/restricted airspace below 1,200 ft AGL (BUQ I), and VFR operations in Class D, E, G, and combat/restricted airspace below 1,800 ft AGL (BUQ II).
5. Acknowledge adherence to the minimum training requirements, which includes reviewing all appropriate directives listed here.

Following these four steps results in ARC issuing an Unmanned Aircraft System Commander (UAS) and Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) designation letter, which permits scheduling a test site. (Note, scheduling a test site typically requires a 90-day lead-time unless you are joining other researchers with their tests scheduled already.)

The aforementioned procedure is explained on this website in more detail.

There are a couple of additional things to consider when operating sUAS,

• If the propulsion system of your sUAS relies on using lithium batteries, you need to be aware of and comply with the Navy lithium battery requirements and approvals
• If your command and control equipment transmit over 5 Watts, you need to conduct a RF safety review

For your convenience, both issues are addressed on this website as well.

Procurement of new UAS has become regulated as well - please refer to the UAS Procurement page.