Controlling Multiple Unmanned Aircraft from a Manned Helicopter: The Need for Advanced Autonomy and Refined Pilot-Vehicle Interface

Abstract

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is a military concept that employs unmanned aerial systems (UASs) in support of traditional manned aircraft. The current ratio of manned to unmanned aircraft in MUM-T operations is one to one with a goal to expand to multiple UASs to further enhance the capability, but this imposes significant challenges on the operator. To address these challenges, this research implemented automated UAS behaviors combined with a pilot-vehicle interface tailored to provide supervisory control over multiple UASs. Results demonstrated that this combination of technologies allows a single crewmember to effectively manage up to three UASs while executing complex MUM-T tactical missions with manageable workload, improved situational awareness, and improved mission performance. Experimental results also identified areas where the current implementations can be further refined.

References

Department of Defense. (2013). Unmanned systems integrated roadmap: FY2013-2038. Reference 14-S-0553. Retrieved from http://archive.defense.gov/pubs/DOD-USRM-2013.pdf

Fern

Shively

(2009). A comparison of varying levels of automation on the supervisory control of multiple UASs. Proceedings of AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America, Washington, DC.

Hicks

Durbin

Morris

Davis

(2014). A summary of crew workload and situational awareness ratings for U.S. Army aviation aircraft (Report #ARL-TR-6955). Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Peters

Srivastava

Taylor

Surana

Bullo

Eckstein

(2015). Human supervisory control of robotic teams: Integrating cognitive modeling with engineering design. Control Systems, IEEE, 35(6), 57-80.

Roscoe

Ellis

(1990). A subjective rating scale for assessing pilot workload in flight: A decade of practical use (Report #90019). Bedford, UK: Royal Aerospace Establishment.

Sager

Hoff

(2014). Pedestrian detection in low-resolution videos. IEEE Conference on Applications of Computer Vision, Steamboat Springs, CO.

Taylor

Turpin

(2015). Army aviation Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): Past, present, and future. Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, 560-565.