An Approach to Air-to-Surface Mission Planner on 3D Environments for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle

Abstract

Recently, interest in mission autonomy related to Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles(UCAVs) for performing highly dangerous Air-to-Surface Missions(ASMs) has been increasing. Regarding autonomous mission planners, studies currently being conducted in this field have been mainly focused on creating a path from a macroscopic 2D environment to a dense target area or proposing a route for intercepting a target. For further improvement, this paper treats a mission planning algorithm on an ASM which can plan the path to the target dense area in consideration of threats spread in a 3D terrain environment while planning the shortest path to intercept multiple targets. To do so, ASMs are considered three sequential mission elements: ingress, intercept, and egress. The ingress and egress elements require a terrain flight path to penetrate deep into the enemy territory. Thus, the proposed terrain flight path planner generates a nap-of-the-earth path to avoid detection by enemy radar while avoiding enemy air defense threats. In the intercept element, the shortest intercept path planner based on the Dubins path concept combined with nonlinear programming is developed to minimize exposure time for survivability. Finally, the integrated ASM planner is applied to several mission scenarios and validated by simulations using a rotorcraft model.

Automated Flight Technology for Integral Path Planning and Trajectory Tracking of the UAV

“…For UAVs, it is necessary to enhance their autonomy [1,2], which enables them to independently process various sensitive information, assess the current situation, and make plans or predictions for current and future tactical missions [3]. An autonomous mission planning system is an important support for improving the operational effectiveness of the precision guidance of weapons and UAVs [4,5]. As one of the core and main functions of mission planning, autonomous flight path planning is an essential technology developed along with modern information technology, and is widely used in various types of aircraft.…”