Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS)

Type-certifiable for National and International RPA Operations

 

GA-ASI's Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS) was designed for use with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), specifically the MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian – the world's first RPA designed and built to fly in non-segregated airspace. Its architecture provides separation between flight and mission critical functions. Flight critical functions are performed using off-the-shelf avionics and flight computers running GA-ASI's certifiable Design Assurance Level software. The CGCS features a Pro Line Fusion® integrated avionics system from Collins Aerospace, the Abaco FORCE2C flight computer, as well as all the sensor and additional payload control for MQ-9B.

Its Common Operational Picture (COP) and improved display technology offer significantly improved situational awareness and reduced pilot workload. Its intuitive interfaces enhance the decision-making process by helping the pilot identify potentially hazardous situations more quickly and easily. In 2019, the CGCS successfully completed its first end-to-end flight with MQ-9B.

The CGCS may be retrofitted into existing U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force, French Air Force, and NASA fixed-site facilities and fielded mobile GCS shelters.

 

GA-ASI's Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS)

Features/Benefits:

  • Launch & Recovery Element (LRE)
  • Mission Control Element (MCE)
  • Dual Redundant PSO Stations
  • Supports Manual Pilot-in-the-Loop to Fully Automated Operations
  • Separation of Flight and Mission Critical Functions
  • Certifiable Flight computer
  • MIL-STD-1472 and other Human Factors Standards
  • Certification basis: STANAG-4671/DEF STAN 00-970

 

Pilot/Sensor Operator (PSO) Station

  • Certifiable Adaptive Flight Display
  • High-definition (1080p) touch-screen displays (five 24")
  • F-35/F-16 inspired Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS)
  • Supports high-definition video
  • Electronic Checklists
  • Navigation Charts
  • Synthetic Video Augmentation
  • Payload Imagery Display
  • Tactical Situation Display
  • Integrated Comms System
  • User Centered HMI Design

 

External Interfaces

  • Flight Planning
  • Mission Planning & Management
  • Common Operating Picture
  • Data Dissemination & Analysis
  • Communications
  • Network Connectivity
  • Data Links
  • NATO Interface Compatibility

 

Civil Certified Adaptive Flight Display

Civil Certified Adaptive Flight Display

  • COTS Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
  • Same as used on King Air
  • Allows layering of info with different DALs on same display without affecting certification