N131-065 TITLE: Automating Unmanned and Manned Sensor Performance in Demanding Tactical Environments

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Develop a fully-integrated autonomous real-time execution planning and re-planning application to maximize the utility of one or more Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, and dramatically accelerate the generation and understanding of the common operational and tactical battlespace picture within a set of evolving constraints.

DESCRIPTION: Varying levels of automation are being utilized, or planned for, in Navy airborne sensor systems. Critical operator time-intensive sensor functions along with the analysis of merged organic and off-board sensor information for target classification, identification, and behavioral monitoring are all being automated. With this topic, we seek to combine these automated sensor functions with a real-time, dynamic, mission route and sensor scheduling planner capable of satisfying multiple, potentially conflicting, mission constraints and objectives in a littoral operating environment. While there is substantial research throughout industry and academia into dynamic path planners, their decision logic doesn�t adequately account for tactical sensor capabilities or the airspace characterization necessary for the platform to operate safely and effectively, particularly in non-segregated airspace. Furthermore, the current approaches do not yet provide a means for interpreting and acting on statements of commander�s intent that have varying degrees of specificity.

This effort will focus on developing a software set of one or more real-time dynamic mission route and sensor scheduling planners for both manned and unmanned platforms. In addition to consideration of the platforms tactical sensor capabilities and the airspace characterization, the approach being developed needs to account for: (1) vehicle kinematic state and limitations, (2) restricted operating regions, (3) terrain impacts including sensor line of sight blockage, and (4) understand how decisions may impact on-station time. For this effort, the offeror may assume that sensor resource management tools and operator classification aids exist and will be integrated into a larger single or multi-platform mission execution application.

PHASE I: Provide a detailed assessment of the concept, identify key components of the integrated approach, identify robust and effective means of interacting with the product, and show how general statements of commander�s intent are understood and acted upon by the application. Demonstration of these functions should be tested in simulation.

PHASE II: Continue development of the application and conduct performance testing and demonstrations using high fidelity simulations. At the end of Phase II, a real-time implementation of the software should be demonstrated (flight test preferred). The contractor is encouraged to work with platform and sensor developers in Phase II to ensure their prototype is being designed to an interface representative of the transition platforms.

PHASE III: Working with platform and sensor developers, complete the development of the real-time software, and optimize functions and operator interface for the transition platform. Test and validate performance in a representative environment.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Large area security with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; automated area surveys.

"Historically, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have mainly supported military and security operations overseas, with training occurring in the United States. In addition, UAS are utilized in U.S. border and port surveillance by the Department of Homeland Security, scientific research and environmental monitoring by NASA and NOAA, public safety by law enforcement agencies, research by state universities, and various other uses by public (government) agencies. Interest is growing in civil uses, including commercial photography, aerial mapping, crop monitoring, advertising, communications and broadcasting. Unmanned aircraft systems may increase efficiency, save money, enhance safety, and even save lives." - FAA.gov FACT SHEET UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) Updated July 2011

REFERENCES:
1. Witkoskie, J., Interactive ISR Data Exploitation and Adaptive Sensor Tasking, www.mitre.org/news/events/exchange08/3731.pdf

2. Shattuck, L.G., Communicating Intent and Imparting Presence, Military Review, March-April 2000, pp. 66-72

KEYWORDS: Automation; Sensor; Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); Picture; Collection; Understanding

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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