Swarming Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Abstract

Executive SummaryProblem Definition The Army Aviation and Missile Research. Development, and Engineering Center (AM-RDEC) Unmanned Systems Office looks beyond next generation systems to determine what capabilities and systems may become a viable part of strategy and tactics in the future. Specific to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). they see a strong and central role for them in the future, post Future Combat Systems (FCS). Based on assumptions about advancement of data transmission, stealth capability, and computational power. AMRDEC wants to maximize the UAV : s effectiveness.One method is to establish a more direct link between operational users and the system itself. They do not want to limit direct access to only Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) trained UAS operators. Rather, they feel that opportunities will exist that will allow any soldier in the battle space to employ one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for a specific task during a specific time and still effectively execute the duties of their primary MOS. This can be done by embedding Semi-Autonomous and Self-Collaborating (SASC) characteristics within swarms of UAS that support operations. Technical ApproachThe approach taken to model this system begins with an examination of the state of the art. Since the inception of the Global War on Terror (GWOT). UAS use has climbed dramatically each year, over 300.000 hours in fiscal year 2007 alone. US Army UAV operators have the ability to generate routes and Areas of Interest (AOI) for the UAS to fly to. Soon they will be able to control up to 4 different UAV from the same location. However, the UAVs still require specific mission planning and dedicated payload operators in order to acquire and identify targets. AMRDEC is looking to SASC UAS that can support multiple craft in a bounded area in order to. for instance, conduct reconnaissance.The approach is comprised of three parts; stakeholder analysis, designing the system, and simulating the UAS behavior.1) Stakeholder Analysis. Speak to UAS operators and determine what capabilities they think the system would need to become SASC. Have them provide their proposed improvements.2) System Design. Assume that an infantry Soldier needs the service of UAS to improve their intelligence picture. They could draw from a bank of UAS standing by. The few that are chosen to help him are given the coordinates of the AOI, a doctrinal task, and a list of "interesting" items to search for. His new recon team forms a loose network in order to collaborate. When one or more UAVs spot an "interesting" item, they contact the Soldier and track the object until told to continue with the search. Meanwhile the other UAVs take up the slack in the AOI left by UAVs holding over targets. Though this system seems complex, it can be managed with a few simple rules.With simplicity in mind, I examined systems of collaborating entities, specifically insects and animals. Individual UAVs will not have a global operating picture yet they must work in concert with other UAVs to exe...

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