The Magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu October 2017 - 5

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Dear Eta Kappa Nu Members and Friends,
The theme for this issue of THE BRIDGE is "UAVs" for unmanned aerial vehicles.
This multi-disciplinary technology is providing many opportunities and challenges
for the technical, educational, and commercial community. The features discuss
cooperative operation of multiple UAVs, student UAV design, and related public
policy issues. Many of our authors are current students or recent graduates. Also,
we thank Intel for our cover image of a UAV light show. Their recording-setting work
illustrates the creativity and skill of engineers.

Steve E. Watkins
Gamma Theta Chapter
steve.e.watkins@ieee.org

While the public commonly associates UAVs with military and hobby applications,
UAVs are finding many roles as commercial and scientific tools. For instance, NASA
has used a civilian version of the General Atomics Predator B for over a decade. This
aircraft, named Ikhana after the Choctaw word for to know or to be aware, is shown
in the figure. As a UAV designed for long-endurance flight, it has collected data for
Earth science projects, demonstrated technologies for wildfire response, served as
a testbed for aeronautical systems, and supported tests of air traffic management
systems. Visit NASA's research in UAV technologies and applications.

 NASA's research UAV, named Ikhana, in 2007. Courtesy of NASA / Photo by Lori Losey

Finally, the magazine continues to represent IEEE-HKN with quality content and
presentation. THE BRIDGE received a 2017 APEX Award of Excellence in the "Most
Improved" category. The magazine was recognized in prior years 2016, 2015 and
2014, and most recently with a 2017 APEX Award of Excellence in the "Writing
Series" category. Congratulations to the Editorial Board, IEEE-HKN staff, and our
authors for their contributions to the magazine. Visit archive of recent issues.
Regards,

2017 IEEE-HKN President-Elect

THE BRIDGE // Issue 3 2017

5
https://www.nasa.gov/subject/9566/unmanneed-aircraft/
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Magazine of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu October 2017
