Title: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS)
Designer: Mark Pestana
Year it was designed: 2011 and first generated in 2012
Explanation or story behind the logo: The logo shows an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) integrating with manned aircraft in the FAA-controlled National Airspace System (NAS). The logo also shows all four of the NASA Aeronautics Centers working on the project: Ames, Dryden, Glenn, and Langley. This broad, multi-Center project, in collaboration with the FAA, contributed capabilities that reduced technical barriers related to the safety and operational challenges associated with enabling routine UAS civil access to the NAS. The goal is being accomplished through the development of system-level integration of key concepts, technologies and/or procedures, and demonstration of integrated capabilities in an operationally relevant environment. The design was later updated to show the name change to AFRC vs DFRC. The patch design illustrates Ikhana’s ability to self-avoid and safely integrate among other users of the National Airspace System, from small private aircraft to large airliners.
For more information on the UAS in the NAS, click https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-075-DFRC.html