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Meeting	ACGS Committee Meeting 125 - Virtual - November 2020
Agenda Location	4 GENERAL COMMITTEE TECHNICAL SESSION 4.4 Sub-Committee C 4.4.1 Calspan Flight Activities
Title	Calspan Flight Activities
Presenter	Lou Knotts
Affiliation	Calspan Corporation
Available Downloads*	presentation
	Downloads are available to members who are logged in and either Active* or attended this meeting.
Abstract	Topics discussed include the VISTA F-16 computer upgrade, the DARPA ACE project, the Navy Advanced Aerial Refueling Store project, the JAXA Lidar flight test project, and the new DLR ISTAR in-flight simulator aircraft. The VISTA F-16 based at Edwards AFB is currently undergoing a complete replacement of its VSS and Variable Feel systems computers. The original software which was in ADA is being rewritten. An additional System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS) is being added. Earlier this year, the VISTA wing was removed and shipped to the depot at Hill AFB for repair. It has now been shipped back to Edwards and will soon be installed. VISTA will be flying again before the end of the year. The DARPA Air Combat Evolution (ACE) project is one in which a fighter aircraft can autonomously perform dogfight maneuvers using artificial intelligence algorithms allowing the pilot to focus on bigger picture battle space issues. Calspan’s role in the project is to create the testbed aircraft needed to take this project from the ground simulators to the flight environment using programmable flight control system aircraft. Currently, the plan calls for the modification of 2 L-39 aircraft into AI Testbed aircraft. Calspan is currently modifying the first of these aircraft. The Navy Automated Air to Air Refueling (A3RT) flight test project is one which will use sensors on the receiver aircraft to stabilize the air refueling drogue and facilitate refueling for autonomous aircraft, specifically the MQ-25. During the recent flight test project with Calspan, the Advanced Aerial Store was installed on the Calspan Gulfstream III systems testbed aircraft and the refueling probe was re-installed on Learjet #2. Sorties were flown to collect data on the accuracy of the sensors. No hookups were made. The next phase of the flight test program will take place next summer. Modifications are beginning to prepare VSS Learjet #2 for a JAXA (Japanese research lab) for a flight test program to detect and quantify clear air turbulence. The current plans are to replace a cabin window to one containing a mirror to deflect the LIDAR emissions forward. Modifications of the Learjet will take place this winter with a flight test program next summer. Finally, DLR is continuing to move forward with the development of a new in-flight simulation aircraft based on a Falcon 2000. Calspan is providing consulting services to DLR on this effort.