An Automated UAV Mission System

Abstract

In March of last year, engineers from SPAWAR Systems Center, San Diego (SSC San Diego) and Allied Aerospace (formerly Micro Craft, Inc.) conducted the first known launch of a Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) from an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) in Holtville, California (2002). The launch concluded a week-long demonstration to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as part of the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems Organic Air Vehicle Phase I effort. The launch involved Allied Aerospace's 29-inch Lift Augmented Ducted Fan iSTAR UAV and SSC San Diego's Mobile Detection Assessment Response System-Exterior UGV.SSC San Diego is now pursuing integration efforts in order to increase base security and defense missions by decreasing time and personnel required to maintain a UAV during operations. The main project goal is to develop a system that allows a UAV to be launched, recovered, and refueled in order to provide force extension through autonomous aerial response. This paper presents an overview of near term mission areas, benefits, and target recipients of the integrated system. It also provides a description of the project plan, including challenges faced and lessons learned, in order to inspire further integration ideas and efforts with existing unmanned systems. Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. Report Documentation Page

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