The APH22 Hexacopter Better Data Less Cost Less

The APH-22 Hexacopter: Better Data, Less Cost, Less Risk and Less Disturbance Wayne Perryman NMFS/SWFSC/Marine Mammal and Turtle Division NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop July 27, 2016

Aerial Photographic Sampling Emerging Technologi es 1. Manned are expensive to operate 2. Some places where manned platforms are unavailable 3. Safety is an issue when operating at low altitudes 4. Some aerial missions just can’t be accomplished with a manned aircraft As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 2

Mission Statement Emerging Technologi es Develop small, portable, reliable UAS systems that can be safely operated by scientists in the field and will provide them with high resolution images necessary for monitoring protected species for which NMFS is responsible under the ESA, MMPA, and CCAMLR. As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 3

APH-22 Hexacopter from Aerial Imaging Solutions: Mission Emerging Specific Design Technologi es 4 As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 4

Field Mission Target-Antarctic Field Camps Emerging Technologi es As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 5

APH-22 System Flexibility Allows Us to Go Anywhere As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop Emerging Technologi es 6

Protected Species Management - Endangered Cetaceans and Salmon Emerging Technologi es As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 7

Aleutian Islands Steller sea lion surveys – More accurate counts, more efficient use of platforms, and increased margin of safety As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop Emerging Technologi es 8

Reproductive and Nutritive Condition As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop Emerging Technologi es 9

Adult Females – Survival, Reproduction, Growth 7/19/16 As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 10 Emerging Technologi es 10

Why is this blue whale thin? Emerging Technologi es Prey availability? Some other cause? As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 11

Breath Sampling Emerging Technologi es Safe, non-invasive technique to assess disease and other physiological metrics As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 12

Moving Forward Emerging Technologi es Introducing the APH-17 “Anita Class” Hexacopter from Aerial Imaging Solutions 1. Just scratching the surface of the potential applications for these platforms 2. Currently, roughly 80% of all small UAS flown by NOAA scientists are APH-22 missions (Thanks to OMAO and NMFS Office of S&T) 3. Still areas of growth for the basic configuration but as we move into “wet work” we need to think outside the box As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 13

APH-22 Hexacopter Emerging Technologi es ● Small UAS – Protected Species (just the beginning) ● Funding/Support from OMAO and NMFS Office of Science and Technology ● Partnerships: Aerial Imaging Solutions, WHOI, AFSC, NEFSC, Vancouver Aquarium ● Over 1000 missions flown; “Operational” As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 14

APH-22 Hexacopter Emerging Technologi es ● Anticipated impacts: ○ Move from quantity to quality in assessments of protected species ○ Greater efficiency in use of manned aircraft ○ Asses impacts of fisheries, weather, climate, anthropogenic factors populations ○ Better data (higher image resolution) and more effective decision making ○ Significantly reduce the cost of field operations As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 15

THANK YOU Emerging Technologi es As presented at the 2016 NOAA Emerging Technologies Workshop 16