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Field Manual · FM 63-978

ALKHATIB, A.

Uncrewed & Counter-UAS Systems Engineer
Origin
ERAU, USA
Rev
2026.09
Cert
FAA 107
Status
Available
Purpose. This manual describes the qualifications, primary system, and service record of the subject engineer for assignment to uncrewed systems, counter-UAS, and systems-engineering roles in defense and aerospace.
1000 · PERSONNEL · UNCLAS
Sect 1

Personnel Summary

Senior in Embry-Riddle's Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems program, 4.0 GPA, on the accelerated B.S./M.S. pathway. Sole inventor of a U.S. patent-pending passive counter-UAS system.

Work centers on the asymmetric defense paradox: a two-hundred-dollar drone threatening a multi-million-dollar asset, and how a defender counters it without radiating a signal of its own. FAA Part 107 remote pilot with research across counter-UAS, ISR, and remote sensing.

2000 · QUALIFICATION RECORD
Sect 2

Qualifications

2.1Academic Standing4.0 / 4.0 GPA · Dean's List · Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems
2.2DegreeB.S. Dec 2026 · M.S. Apr 2027 · Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2.3CertificationFAA Part 107 Remote Pilot · Cert 5143066
2.4Intellectual PropertyU.S. Provisional Patent 63/978,409 · sole inventor
2.5LanguagesEnglish (full professional) · Arabic (native)
Caution
Primary system is passive. It detects without emitting radar or RF energy and must not be confused with active countermeasures. Patent-pending under US 63/978,409.
3000 · MATERIEL · SYSTEM DPSN
Sect 3

Primary System

Distributed Passive Sensor Network
NOMENCLATURE: DPSN · GROUND-BASED COUNTER-UAS DETECTION

A ground-based grid of passive sensors that detects, tracks, and classifies unauthorized drones without emitting radar or RF energy, keeping the defensive system invisible to the threat it watches. Conceived as a physics-first answer to swarming and kamikaze micro-UAS against fixed high-value assets.

The threat
~$200 COTS micro-UAS,
non-emitting, hard to detect
Legacy response
Active radar - detectable,
costly, blind to silent drones
FIG. 1 - DPSN notional deployment. Passive nodes [12][14] detect and triangulate UAS [16] while protected asset [10] radiates nothing.
[10] Protected asset   [12] Fixed passive node   [14] Mobile UGV node   [16] Hostile UAS track
Method
Passive · RF-silent
Threat
Low-cost micro-UAS
Domain
Fixed-asset airspace
Deployment
Fixed & mobile UGV nodes
Core tech
Micro-Doppler · acoustic AI · multistatic passive radar
Status
Provisional filed · in development
Core Innovations
01 · Passive Detection Framework
Micro-Doppler signature classification via Short-Time Fourier Transform, AI acoustic fingerprinting, and multistatic passive radar on ambient FM and cellular signals. Zero active emission at any sensing layer.
02 · Cue-Level Alert Interface
Nodes raise a minimal structured alert only when anomalous UAS activity appears, cutting bandwidth and removing the need for continuous operator monitoring.
03 · Autonomous Coverage Restoration
When a node is obstructed, degraded, or lost, mobile UGV or UAV nodes reposition on their own to close the coverage gap and hold situational awareness.
Note
DPSN is an early-stage research concept and patent filing. Architecture and detection methods are defined; no prototype has been fielded. Non-provisional filing deadline 09 Feb 2027.
4000 · R&D LINEAGE
Sect 4

DPSN Research Lineage

The patent did not appear in isolation. Four graded ERAU studies built its physics, feasibility, platform, and field application, in sequence:

01 · Physics
UNSY 205

The Asymmetric Defense Paradox

Passive physics principles for detecting stealth micro-UAS instead of RF jamming or active radar. The physics origin of DPSN.

02 · Feasibility
ENGL 221

DAPS - Distributed Autonomous Passive Sensing

Technical and economic feasibility of replacing an airport's legacy radar with a distributed passive sensor grid against drone swarms.

03 · Platform
UNSY 311

UGS Design - Safe Operation of the DPSN

Design, safety, and risk plan for the mobile ground-based passive platform that autonomously detects and tracks unauthorized drones, node [14] in Fig. 1.

04 · Application
SCTY 400

Airport Security Program Review - SFO

Security-program assessment of a Category X airport, including a DPSN waterfront perimeter-defense concept.

Additional research Wildfire Detection UAS (UNSY 410)  ·  DroneSTAT ISR platform analysis (UNSY 315)  ·  ENCODE deforestation capstone (UNSY 405)
5000 · CAPABILITY MATRIX
Sect 5

Capabilities Matrix

GroupNomenclature
Counter-UAS / SensingC-UAS concepts · passive detection · sensor systems · data interpretation · remote sensing · thermal/RGB payloads
UAS OperationsFAA Part 107 · mission planning · risk assessment · airspace & regulations · flight safety
Systems Engineeringsystems integration · requirements analysis · total-system design · multidisciplinary coordination · AI/ML foundations
ToolsOracle Primavera · Autodesk Revit · Navisworks · AutoCAD · 3ds Max · big-data analytics
6000 · SERVICE RECORD
Sect 6

Service Record

2019 - PRESENT

Principal / Managing Director

Damasca Autos LLC · San Francisco, CA

Founded and operate an automotive trading and financing company; lead operations, compliance, and financial planning while completing an engineering degree.

2014 - 2017

Group Senior PR Manager

Power International Holding · Doha

Directed corporate communications and government affairs for a major conglomerate; managed cross-functional coordination for large-scale initiatives.

2011 - 2014

Projects Design Coordinator

UCC Holding · Doha

Led BIM integration and technical coordination for large infrastructure and landmark projects using Revit and Navisworks.

7000 · DISTRIBUTION · STMT A
Sect 7

Distribution

Distribution Statement A - approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

FM 63-978 · Alkhatib, A. Page 1 of 1 · Rev 2026.09
Unclassified  //  Portfolio Use Only