Author: Emily Misfud, AFIMSC Public Affairs Department/Released December 13, 2021
Members of the Air Force Civil Engineers Center learned about the capabilities of UAVs and ground vehicles that include light detection and ranging (LiDAR) in a capability demonstration at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, on December 2, 2021. During the event, Hexagon Federal USA/Leica demonstrated an unmanned aerial vehicle BLK2FLY and BLK ARC, which can be used with unmanned ground vehicles. The data captured by these systems can generate 3D models, drawings, and visual effects to provide facility commanders and leaders with real-time information about key decisions while ensuring the safety of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo, Emily Misfud)
On December 2, 2021, members of the 1st Detachment of the Air Force Civil Engineers Center and the Silver Flag Team at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida "encountered" the Boston Dynamics Robot Spot in a capability demonstration. Spot is a small unmanned ground vehicle. Equipped with BLK ARC technology, it can be used to generate 3D models, drawings and visual effects to provide real-time information for facility commanders and leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo, Emily Misfud)
On December 2, 2021, members of the 1st Detachment of the Air Force Civil Engineers Center and the Silver Flag Team at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida "encountered" the Boston Dynamics Robot Spot in a capability demonstration. Spot is a small unmanned ground vehicle. Equipped with BLK ARC technology, it can be used to generate 3D models, drawings and visual effects to provide real-time information for facility commanders and leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo, Emily Misfud)
Data captured by unmanned ground vehicles equipped with light detection and ranging or LiDAR technology during a capability demonstration at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida on December 2, 2021. (U.S. Air Force image)
Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida-Air Force civil engineering experts are continuing to explore and integrate new technologies to enhance services by accelerating change and enhancing CE capabilities. The Planning and Integration and Preparation Council of the Air Force Civil Engineers Center recently held its second annual capability demonstration event at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, demonstrating small drones and ground vehicles, or LiDAR, that include light detection and ranging, An autonomous remote sensing technology. Industry partners Hexagon Federal USA/Leica demonstrated two products, including the small UAV system BLK2FLY and the autonomous mobile laser scanner BLK ARC that can be integrated with unmanned ground systems, such as Boston Dynamics’s Spot “canine” robot. BLK2FLY fully integrated autonomous flying laser scanner can capture the appearance, structure and environment of the building. It can scan entire buildings, including roofs and other inaccessible areas, while safely bypassing obstacles. The collected data can be processed to create a colorful 3D point cloud used to generate 3D models, drawings, and visual effects to support key decisions. The event organizers of the Office of Planning and Integrating Geospatial Integration stated that this may revolutionize civil engineering solutions and increase the lethality of facility investment, real estate management, energy support, operational support, environment and preparedness, and emergency management. "This is a good introduction to the concepts we need to consider when advancing CE businesses and how we respond to airport damage," said the senior sergeant. Michael Bowman, Air Force Engineering Specialist Force Development Manager. "Many of the things they showed us have achieved our goals, and I look forward to what they can do in the future." Bowman said that the benefits of combining lidar and autonomous unmanned system technology can prove many of the enterprise-wide benefits. The fields are all beneficial. For example, small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) and lidar technology can change the Air Force’s environmental plans, he said. "Using drone technology to collect data in remote areas can improve land surveys, floodplain mapping and endangered species management," he said. "This will provide us with information about the situation in the area, any potential obstacles to landing aircraft, and the number of people who can adapt to a specific environment." Julio Toala, AFCEC GIO Operations Manager, said that as AFCEC’s superior agency, the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, strengthens With attention to infrastructure preparation and modernization, it will rely on AFCEC's expertise and cutting-edge technology to overhaul infrastructure management and restoration preparations and SUAS project managers. "With this higher level of survey equipment, we can survey and collect data in places that are difficult or dangerous in other ways," he said. "Cost and safety issues are increasingly shifting our focus to transitioning to this new survey equipment." "Each AFCEC council has its own mission," added José Alfonsín, GeoBase program feature developer. "We are considering the introduction of technologies that can complement traditional technologies, which will be added to the CE toolkit to help simplify and create a safer working environment for them." Currently, LiDAR technology is only used to fly over every five years. Device once. Alfonsín said that the LiDAR technology demonstrated during the demonstration will help fill in and fill any missing gaps. "If an area on the base is flooded, drones can be flown to create a virtual surface that allows us to see the source of the water in real time, so we don't have to rely on information that may be out of date," the staff sergeant said. Javier Rodriguez, GeoBase technician. It can also help the rapid airport damage assessment system plan to assess and repair damaged runways. Sean Cloud of the AFCEC RADAS project said: “After a runway attack, drones can fly across the runway to collect data. This data can be quickly transmitted back to the leadership so that they can make plans for maintenance personnel. Assign a task manager to the explosives department. "Our goal is to improve the ability to quickly restore the runway to working conditions and protect the pilots from injury. "Whether during routine inspections or after natural disasters or enemy attacks, the ability to autonomously collect data and information can improve safety by reducing the frequency with which pilots enter potentially dangerous areas or situations. "We are always looking for speed. Complete the mission while minimizing the risks to our personnel," Tech said. Sergeant Tyndall Air Force Base Silver Flag Engineering Emergency Training Instructor Patrick Hayes (Patrick Hayes). "These unmanned technologies will keep people away from the battlefield and away from danger. "
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