UAV Science Missions: A Business Perspective

Abstract

Interest in using UAVs as platforms for scientific instruments has been growing since the early 1990s. Unfortunately, initial experience found UAV-related costs for airborne science missions were relatively high, despite the use of NASA-owned research UAVs. This paper describes a NASA-funded study that investigated alternative ways to provide scientists affordable access to UAVs without having to maintain a fleet of government-owned UAVs. Insights into the economics of past airborne science missions are discussed; potential scenarios for using the Altair and Global Hawk UAVs in science missions are described; alternative business models for providing scientists with these UAVs are identified; and results of the analysis of these models in the UAV utilization scenarios are summarized. The average price per mission was highest using commercial flight services. The flight service cost per mission was quite sensitive to equipment acquisition cost. Prices for a Global Hawk commercial flight service would be about three times higher than Altair prices for the same number of missions flown. Some near-term opportunities to reduce UAV flight service costs are discussed. Potential longer-term technology development projects that could reduce costs are also identified.