Brief Description

Are you interested in learning about drones, be it casual or in-depth? You can use this course to gain insight into the basic elements of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) drone systems used in civilian missions and in CAA regulations.

This course introduces unmanned aerial systems (UAS) including drones and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with sensors including those for obstacle avoidance, other instruments, and payloads that rely on complex algorithms and have various uses.

No previous knowledge of drones, flying systems, autonomous technology, or flying experience is required. Join us as you start your drone journey.

Taught by instructors with decades of experience in drone technology applications in combat and civilian operations, systems design, and emergency management planning, this course will equip analysts and operational experts with the technical and planning knowledge for emergency planning and other applications.

History and Introduction

Weekly Objectives

  1. Define and differentiate among drones, UAS, UAV, and other industry-specific terminology. 
  2. Summarize the history and background of unmanned aerial systems. 
  3. Describe the general applications of drones, including common usages, capabilities, and sectors and markets. 
  4. Summarize critical research areas as they relate to current and future growth of emerging drone technologies.

Topics

  • Terminology
  • The Future is Now
  • A Brief History of Drones
  • General Applications
  • Critical Technologies
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Knowledge checks between topics (5 KCs)
  • Module 1 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

Technologies and Requirements

Weekly Objectives

  1. Characterize attributes of critical UAS technologies.
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with the fundamental COTS technologies.
  3. Explain the role of electronics in UAS operation (sensors, payloads, communications, control).
  4. Discuss future technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, autonomous capabilities, and drone swarms.

Topics

  • Critical Technologies
    • Navigation
    • Sensors and Payloads
    • Power Sources
    • Communications
  • Electronics
    • COTS Drone Technologies
    • Four Requirements for COTS Drones
    • Endurance
    • Speed
    • Range
    • Maximum Altitude
  • Future Technologies
    • Overview of New Technologies
    • Solar-Powered Drones
    • Quadcopter and Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Four knowledge checks between topics  
  • Module 2 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

Technical Performance

Weekly Objectives

  1. Categorize available COTS technologies used by small hobbyist drones and large commercial UAVs.
  2. Describe practical applications for various types of drones including aerial photography for real estate sales, recreation public events, law enforcement surveillance, border enforcement, and maritime drug interdiction.
  3. Examine emerging technologies being integrated into the commercial and recreation drone sectors including semi-autonomous and autonomous systems that will enable communications relay,  sensing and autonomous drone swarms in support of emergency response situations.
  4. Describe research and development trends for military and civilian applications, and project how these will impact the commercial and emergency management sectors. 
  5. Categorize how specific drone features can be applied in various scenarios.  Compare drone benefits and capabilities to contemporary manned fixed-wing and rotary platforms.

Topics

  • Performance Considerations
    • Battery and Gasoline Power
    • Hybrid, Solar, and Emerging Power Sources
    • Control Systems
    • Payloads and Sensors
    • Communications and Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • COTS Applications
    • Hobbyist Drones and Model Aircrafts
    • Commercial Uses
  • Research and Development
    • Emerging requirements 
    • Migration of Technologies
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Six knowledge checks 
  • Module 3 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

Making a Business Case 

Weekly Objectives

  1. Define systems, systems engineering, systems life cycle, and the systems acquisition process.
  2. Define and differentiate the costs and benefits associated with UAS acquisition processes.
  3. Summarize and apply acquisition fundamentals based on value, including cost-benefit analysis (CBA), return on investment (ROI), and the processes for selecting between alternative technologies and vendors.

Topics

  • The Systems Lifecycle: Theoretical Foundations
  • The Systems Acquisition Process
    • Systems Acquisition Process
    • Needs and Capabilities
    • Costs and Benefits
  • Real-World Case Study: Systems Acquisition Process
    • All learners
    • Additional material for verified learners
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Four knowledge checks  
  • Module 4 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

Regulatory Framework

Weekly Objectives

  1. Analyze the regulations, legislation and compliance issues related to UAS including air traffic management and UAS Integration, the existing legal framework, and the FAA Campaign
  2. Discuss operational risk assessment and mitigation including risk assessment phases and emerging  technologies used in managing the risk of UAS operations
  3. Assess risk factors and Counter-UAS technologies as they relate to safety, security, privacy, and public perceptions.

Topics

  • Regulations, Registration, and Compliance
    • Air Traffic Management – UAS Integration
    • Legal Framework
    • CAA Campaign
  • Risk Assessment and Mitigation through Technology
    • Operational Risks 
    • Emerging Technologies
  • Risk Factors and Counter Technologies
    • Safety
    • Security
    • Privacy and Public Perceptions
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Five knowledge checks 
  • Module 5 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

Functional Requirements

Objectives

  1. Describe technology advances in unmanned systems, sensors, and payloads that will define the next generation of COTS drones.
  2. Summarize critical technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the internet of things (IoT) and data analytics that will enable drone swarms.
  3. Describe nefarious uses of UAS and illustrate C-UAS technologies.

Topics

  • Future Technologies and Applications
    • Technological Innovations
    • Autonomy
    • Technical Immersion
    • Entertainment, Recreation, and Civilian Drones
    • Power Advancements
    • Interlinked Sectors
  • Drone Swarms
    • Autonomous  Systems 
    • Research and Development Efforts
  • Counter-UAS Technologies
    • The Increasing  Threat
    • C-UAS Solutions 
  • Future Applications 
    • Development and Growth 
    • Regulations, Security, and Global Considerations for Autonomy
  • Summary

Assessments

  • Five knowledge checks  
  • Module 6 Discussion
  • End of Module Quiz (verified learners only)

FINAL EXAM

A 25-question final exam is required of verified learners at the end of the course. 

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