A research team at the Georgia Tech Research Institute
(GTRI) is developing an airborne testing capability for sensors, communications
devices and other airborne payloads. This aerial test bed, called the GTRI
Airborne Unmanned Sensor System (GAUSS), is based on an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) made by Griffon Aerospace and modified by GTRI.
"Developing new sensor technologies that can be
effectively employed from the air is a priority today given the rapidly
increasing use of unmanned aircraft," said Michael Brinkmann, a GTRI
principal research engineer who is leading the work. "Given suitable
technology, small UAVs can perform complex, low-altitude missions effectively
and at lower cost. The GAUSS system gives GTRI and its customers the ability to
develop and test new airborne payloads in a rapid, cost effective way."