Title: First Ikhana Patch
Designer: Brent Cobleigh and Mark Pestana
Year it was designed: 2006
Explanation or story behind the patch: This was the first logo for the Ikhana aircraft and was designed to reflect the NASA MQ-9 and its missions. The lettering around the perimeter indicates the purpose of the aircraft. “New technologies” refers to the technology demonstration opportunities that could be flown. The first example was the infrared wildfire sensor that was flown during the Western States Fire Missions. “New capabilities” refers to the applied use of new technologies such as “autonomous see and avoid” integrated. New Missions refers to the new ways that UAV’s can be used such as Wildfire Mapping and Earth Science Observing. The word “Ikhana” is a Native American Choctaw Nation word meaning “Intelligence, Consciousness, or Awareness.”
For more information on the Ikhana aircraft, click https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-097-DFRC.html