The primary NASA application for UPEND remains non-payload command and control for UAS in the context of NAS integration. Additional NASA applications for the UPEND technology may include: - UAS payload communications (e.g. video and sensor data) - Telemetry, tracking and telecommand - Deep space communications - Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) - Airborne weather radar systems Target programs include: - CNPC, SCaN and iROC (Glenn Research Center), - Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) projects DBSAR and ECOSAR, Airborne Weather Radar projects XRAD, HIWRAP and CRS, and TDRSS transponder project LCT (Goddard Space Flight Center) - iGCAS, MAPS, PPA and ADS-B (Armstrong Flight Research Center) - ALHAT, LD-CAP and AirSTAR (Langely Research Center) - Small Spacecraft Technology Program (SSTP), EDSN, and TechEdSat (Ames Research Center). - GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) project, and NISRO SAR project (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Commercial applications include: - Unmanned Systems command & control and payload communications, including UAS, Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). - Terrestrial and airborne tactical communications, including handheld, manpack and vehicle-mounted data links. - Broadcast communications, including television camera-mounted data links. - Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Non-NASA customers may include major UAS suppliers, such as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors, Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs (Skunk Works), Textron Systems AAI, etc., who may be required to use an interoperable data link for CNPC in the NAS. Additionally, terrestrial and space communication systems integrators, such as CNPC contractor Rockwell Collins, L-3 Communications (Communication Systems - West, and Cincinnati Electronics), Cubic Defense Applications, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, BAE Systems, Cobham, Harris, General Dynamics, and Raytheon, are potential commercial users for the UPEND technology.
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