Tyler, James (Northeastern University), Arnold, Ross (Department of Defense), Abruzzo, Benjamin (US Department of Defense), Korpela, Christopher (EECS)

Autonomous Teammates for Squad Tactics

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "Manned/Unmanned Aviation" (FrC3), Friday, September 4, 2020, 15:50−16:10, 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 16, 2024

Abstract

The United States Department of Defense seeks to integrate small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into infantry squads and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures using unmanned systems. Through an iterative design process consisting of live-fly tactical exercises, this research investigates the teaming of humans with unmanned aerial systems. Exercises involve force on force engagements to encourage the development of tactics and procedures for the future operating environment. Three successful mission tactics for leveraging UAS in missions are defined. In addition to autonomy, teams leverage convolutional and artificial deep neural networks running real time on aerial video feeds to identify and classify combatants and friendly forces.