An apparatus including a frame forming an interface device configured for connection to a test chassis, and at least one interface connector coupled to the frame, the at least one interface connector corresponding to connectors of a unit under test, the interface device being configured for insertion through one or more sealable apertures of an environmentally protective chassis that houses the test chassis, and coupling to an interface device seating surface of the environmentally protective chassis without any intervening environmental interface or environmental interface plane located between the interface device seating surface and the test chassis, wherein the frame forming the interface device includes a first end plate configured with electrical connectors and mechanical attachment members configured to align and attach a circuit card to the interface device.

An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function.

An unmanned aircraft system includes a testing and calibration system that enables automated testing of movable parts of an unmanned aircraft. The testing and calibration system uses a camera-based technique to determine the position and angle of movable parts, in order to establish whether or not those parts are moving in a manner consistent with correct function.

A method for operating an, at least temporarily, unmanned aircraft or spacecraft wherein a flight procedure of the aircraft or spacecraft is carried out in controlled airspace using a previously cleared flight plan, wherein a C2 link is at least temporarily unavailable, and wherein at least one sensor device of the aircraft or spacecraft identifies a dangerous and/or emergency situation which makes it necessary to deviate from the cleared flight plan. To have available a method which makes it possible for an at least temporarily unmanned aircraft or spacecraft to react independently to particular dangerous and/or emergency situations and to avoid damaging events, a control device of the aircraft or spacecraft independently uses a wireless data link to a supervisory authority in order to agree to a changed flight plan containing at least one change.

A system and method of detecting damage to a component may include a first sensor and a processor. The method may include the steps of receiving, by the processor, a first data for the component from a first sensor, aligning, by the processor, the first data with a reference model, determining, by the processor, a feature dissimilarity between the first data and the reference model, classifying, by the processor, the feature dissimilarity, and determining, by the processor, a probability that the feature dissimilarity indicates damage to the component.

A system and method of detecting damage to a component may include a first sensor and a processor. The method may include the steps of receiving, by the processor, a first data for the component from a first sensor, aligning, by the processor, the first data with a reference model, determining, by the processor, a feature dissimilarity between the first data and the reference model, classifying, by the processor, the feature dissimilarity, and determining, by the processor, a probability that the feature dissimilarity indicates damage to the component.

A system for providing active real-time characterization of an article under test is disclosed. An infrared light source, a first visible light source and a second visible light source each outputs and directs a beam of coherent light at a particular area on the article under test. A visible light camera and a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera and an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum frequency camera and a third order camera are each configured to receive a respective predetermined return beam of light from the particular area on the article under test. A processor receives signals from the cameras and calculates in real time respective spectroscopic signals and compares each calculated signal with each other calculated signal and with a predetermined baseline signal to ensure that the article under test conforms to an expected value.

A monitoring system for monitoring a kinematic coupling between an actuator and an element controlled by the latter includes a first sensor to detect the operative movement of the actuator. A second sensor is designed to detect the actual movement of the controlled element. A computer unit, based on the operative movement of the actuator, determines an anticipated movement of the controlled element and compares this anticipated movement with the actual movement of the controlled element. An error message is emitted when a value of the deviation between the anticipated movement and the actual movement exceeds a predefined threshold value.

A monitoring system for monitoring a kinematic coupling between an actuator and an element controlled by the latter includes a first sensor to detect the operative movement of the actuator. A second sensor is designed to detect the actual movement of the controlled element. A computer unit, based on the operative movement of the actuator, determines an anticipated movement of the controlled element and compares this anticipated movement with the actual movement of the controlled element. An error message is emitted when a value of the deviation between the anticipated movement and the actual movement exceeds a predefined threshold value.

A device may receive equipment information, associated with a first equipment, including information associated with anomalies identified based on operational information collected during operation of the first equipment, and messages generated during the operation of the first equipment. The device may receive maintenance information, associated with the first equipment, that identifies one or more part failures associated with one or more equipment parts. The device may identify associations between the one or more part failures and the first equipment information. The device may receive equipment information, associated with a second equipment, including information associated with anomalies identified based on operational information collected during operation of the second equipment, and messages generated during the operation of the second equipment. The device may generate and provide a prediction, associated with a future failure of an equipment part of the second equipment, based on the second equipment information and the associations.