Meyer, Carsten (University of the Bundeswehr Munich), Schulte, Axel (University of the Bundeswehr Munich)

Operator Controlled, Reactive UAV Behaviors in Manned-Unmanned Teaming Scenarios with Selective Datalink Availability

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "Manned/Unmanned Aviation" (FrC3), Friday, September 4, 2020, 16:10−16:30, Edessa

2020 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS), September 1-4, 2020 (Postponed from June 9-12, 2020), Athens, Greece

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on April 25, 2024

Abstract

This article discusses a way to increase controllability of an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) when data link is not or only temporarily available, by providing user-adaptable reactive behaviors of a UAV to events, and user-adaptable constraints of how to execute a task. Effective use of current unmanned systems in manned military missions is dependent on a continuous datalink. An interrupted datalink makes it impossible to issue or alter commands, having a negative impact on controllability of the UAV. We aim to increase controllability during datalink outages by allowing the pilot to define automatic behaviors as reactions to events as well as constraints defining how to execute tasks and reactions. The occurrence and time of these events is uncertain while the datalink is still available, hence a direct and explicit formulation of a reaction is impossible. This contribution describes a functioning implementation of automation functions and an interface for user-adaptable behaviors in a full mission, Manned-Unmanned Teaming helicopter simulator. Automation functions have been integrated by extending an existing planning agent, the user interface has been fully integrated into a tactical command interface. Preliminary tests during testing and development of the automation functions and interface suggest the desired increase in operational capabilities and controllability by the pilot. The possibility to define reactions to events can greatly improve contingency planning capabilities and resilience towards datalink interruptions. User-adaptable behaviors can contribute to a safe and effective integration of UAV into non-segregated civilian air space by enabling situation adapted reactions to system failures.