Date:
19 February, 2008
Scientists from BAE Systems have developed a technology which allows UAVs (Unmanned Air Vehicles) to autonomously work together to adapt plans and flight paths on fact finding missions.
The software combines sophisticated communications networks with more familiar technology such as high-resolution cameras, GPS and Inertial Navigation systems. The entire package will allow UAVs to collectively construct a full assessment of threat situations, providing better protection of troops in the future.
The research, funded by the UK MOD on the back of BAE Systems corporate investment, has completed a flying trial which, for the first time, demonstrated the co-ordinated control of multiple UAVs autonomously completing a series of tasks.
The trials, conducted in partnership with the Australian Centre for Field Robotics, demonstrated on-board decision making capabilities, allowing teams of UAVs to decide among themselves which targets each individual vehicle would monitor. Decisions were based on factors such as proximity to the object, how much intelligence previous observations had provided, and which UAV could provide the most informative view.
John Anderson, Group Leader Informatics, BAE Systems’ Advanced Technology Centre says: “Traditional reconnaissance missions comprise fixed viewing patterns, which can mean the UAV is still making observations of an object long after they have ceased to be useful. This technology enables UAVs to automatically select the best set of viewing positions for distinguishing real objects, and providing precise locations. Consequently, the Armed Forces will be able to use the technology to adapt their reconnaissance plan as they go, giving access to additional observations and increasing confidence levels.”
The scope of the technology is not solely limited to unmanned air vehicles, and is being adapted to allow a range of unmanned submersibles, boats, and ground vehicles to interact with one another in the field.
“This technology demonstrates a move towards more intelligent, autonomous systems, capable of making complex decisions, rather than automated systems,” Simon Jewell, BAE Systems Director of Strategic Business Development. “Reaching these higher levels of autonomy, as opposed to simply removing the pilot from the vehicle, is a key factor in delivering benefit to the frontline.”
BAE Systems heads up the UK MOD’s Systems Engineering for Autonomous Systems (SEAS) Defence Technology Centre (DTC), a UK consortium of industrial and academic partners that aims to research innovative technologies relevant to autonomous systems.
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