CTM’s Aerial Missions Unit was established to develop the architecture and resources to conduct operational research on small unmanned aircraft systems, in accordance with established federal directives and standards. AMU personnel maintain extensive subject matter expertise in unmanned systems technologies, capabilities and limitations, and policies to support exploration and implementation of applications in law enforcement, emergency management, environmental resource management, and UAS countermeasures.
June 2014 off the coast of Oceanside, California
An RQ-20A Puma unmanned aircraft system is launched by personnel from U.S .Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Team-San Diego and the Navy’s Special Reconnaissance Team One to demonstrate the capabilities of small unmanned aircraft in support of maritime surveillance and tactical operations during the Coastal Trident 2015 Regional Port and Maritime Security Program.
Photo Credit: Ryan Jaeger, Ventura County Office of Education
Group 1 UAS
The Group 1 UAS program focuses on the capability of tactical units to employ small unmanned aircraft as organic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, supplementing constrained manned aircraft and other operational- and strategic-level resources.
The AMU maintains operational expertise, flight qualifications, and material access to a variety of UAS platforms.
AeroVironment Puma AE
PSI Tactical Robotics InstantEye
Aquacopter Bullfrog
SplashDrone
3DRobotics Aero
3DRobotics Iris
3DRobotics X8
3DRobotics Y6
3DRobotics Solo
DJI Phantom 2
DJI Phantom 2 vision +
DJI Phantom 3 Pro
DJI Inspire
DJI Mavic Pro
Aerial Alchemy Tadpole
February 2016 off the coast of Maui, HI
CTM Aerial Missions Unit personnel operate small unmanned aircraft in support of cetacean research activities. AMU, in partnership with Ventura County’s Office of Education and California State University-Channel Islands, used several variants of waterproof multi-copters to spot humpback whales and record breaching activities, helping biologists determine the motivation and biological benefit to the oft-observed but ill-understood behavior.
Photo Credit: Alan Jaeger, GT2 Center for Threat Management
Environmental Survey
The ability of unmanned aircraft to operate with flexibility and minimize environmental interference makes them ideal for applications in observational research. As subject matter experts in UAS applications and operations, AMU provides support to a number of environmental research programs. These have included initiatives to survey protected nesting sites and measure the growth of whale calves.
February 2016 in Ridgecrest, California
Aerial Missions Unit personnel conduct nighttime training with the 3DRobotics Solo unmanned aircraft system.
Photo Credit: Brendan Applegate, Center for Asymmetric Warfare
Expendable Air Vehicle
The EAV program provides the administrative and operational construct to conduct rapid-response experimentation of experimental or commercially available UAS in restricted airspace. This program streamlines the process of airworthiness approvals, airspace and frequency authorizations, providing access to test venues that present policy, administrative, or logistics challenges.
January 2015 in San Diego, California
Personnel from the USS Essex assemble components of a 3DRobotics Iris unmanned aircraft system, the first unmanned aircraft system produced through additive manufacturing and operated aboard a U.S. Navy ship. This experiment was conducted in support of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Print the Fleet initiative.
Photo Credit: Ryan Jaeger, Ventura Office of Education
Additive Manufacturing
The Additive Manufacturing program focuses on the capability of resource-constrained and geographically isolated units to use 3D printing technology to manufacture aircraft and spare parts based on the specifics of their operational environment and application.
June 2014 over Port Hueneme, California
SciFly demonstrates the capabilities of a captive carried electro-optical and infrared payload to act as a surrogate unmanned aircraft system, facilitating enhanced operator training and situational awareness during the Coastal Trident 2014 Regional Port and Maritime Security Program.
Photo Credit: Eddie Kisfaludy, SciFly
Surrogate UAS
The Surrogate UAS program focuses on experimentation captive carry of UAS sensors and data links by manned aircraft. Through this construct, training and experimentation of UAS subsystems can be conducted in airspace otherwise inaccessible under routine circumstances, with minimal impact to routine air traffic or artificiality imposed upon the operator.
April 2016 in Silverdale, Washington
A 3DRobotics Aero is operated in support of a U.S. Navy program to evaluate counter-unmanned aircraft systems technologies at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Annex.
Photo Credit: Brendan Applegate, Center for Asymmetric Warfare
Vulnerability Assessment
Cyber Threat Awareness and Consequence Management
Port and Maritime Security
Technology Experimentation and Implementation
If you would like to contact us regarding research opportunities, current and upcoming programs, or general information, we welcome your inquiries.