The Army s Future Tactical UAS Technology Demonstrator Program

Transcription

1 The Army s Future Tactical UAS Technology Demonstrator Program This information product has been reviewed and approved for public release, distribution A (Unlimited). Review completed by the AMRDEC Public Affairs office PRXXXX Mar. 3, March 2017 Presented by: Layne Merritt Chief Engineer Aviation Development Directorate U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center

2 Army Aviation S&T Supports both the current helicopter and future rotorcraft fleets in improving survivability, performance, and affordability Core competencies support platforms, power, survivability, vehicle management, operations support, and sustainment Future fleet efforts: Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Degraded Visual Environment Mitigation (DVE-M) Future Tactical UAS Technology Demonstration (FTUAS-TD) Current Future Army Aviation S&T balances the needs of the current and future fleets 2 FileName.pptx

3 What is S&T Science: Discovery of laws that govern the known world Technology: Application of scientific knowledge for practical military purposes Capability: Ability to use technology to accomplish a task Army S&T Enterprise: Processes, organizations, workforce, and assets used to Plan, Program, Budget, or Execute S&T activities. It is a subset of a larger research, development, and engineering enterprise. Army S&T Enterprise Mission: Discover, develop, and demonstrate science and technology options that inform and enable effective and affordable capabilities for the Soldier. The product of S&T is knowledge 3 FileName.pptx

4 UAS Today Current fielded Unmanned Aerial systems have served the Army well in OEF/OIF Current systems attributes: Fixed wing gliders Small Loitering Un-survivable Intensive maintenance Future fights require operations in complex and contested airspace in a Multi Domain Battle concept. 4 FileName.pptx

5 S&T UAS Technology Focus Areas Platform Power/Propulsion Payloads Autonomy Weapons Navigation Datalink Integrated multi-disciplinary approach required 5 FileName.pptx

6 Possibilities Effective and efficient teaming Intelligent, intuitive interface Natural interaction for mission- & objective-level commands UAS is part of the BCT formation Shared situational awareness Exchange information, not just data Distributed secure processing Execute tactical missions in complex operating environments GPS denied / Data link free operations Rapid autonomy enhancements and upgrades Open System Architectures, data management Enables payload options Complex, intelligent systems certified quickly Increase trust in autonomy Ensure safe airworthy operation 6 FileName.pptx

7 Air Portfolio Path to FTUAS-TD Today 2023 Platform Future Tactical UAS TD Power/Propulsion Reliable Advanced Small Power Systems (RASPS) Synergistic Unmanned Manned Intelligent Teaming (SUMIT) Autonomy Holistic Situational Awareness and Decision Making (HSA-DM) Advanced Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations 7 FileName.pptx

8 Future Tactical UAS Technology Demonstration Purpose: Develop and demonstrate game-changing performance enabling technologies to meet the next generation Tactical UAS range, efficiency, reliability, and survivability requirements and operational capabilities Elements FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Studies and Analysis, simulation Configuration Trades & Analysis Next Gen UAS Demo Schedule 4 6 Products: Innovative low drag, long endurance concepts Runway independent, confined area solutions Platform integration of non-traditional engine designs (RASPS) System level SWAP allocation Mission flexibility and efficiency demonstrations Adaptive and reconfigurable subsystems Autonomous swarming and navigation control algorithms Wingman concepts for FVL manned systems Enhanced survivability sufficient for emerging A2AD environments Draft Model Performance Specifications (MPS) Used as basis for solicitation of aircraft from industry; provides quantifiable metrics for technical evaluation of proposals Payoffs: Expanding scope of portfolio to include emerging ASSP Classes 2 and 3 platforms A refined set of technologically feasible and affordable capabilities that enable next generation UAS requirements in POR EMD phase Operational parity with manned fleet for advanced teaming Data readily available to support future acquisitions 8 FileName.pptx

9 Reliable Advanced Small Power Systems (RASPS) Engine Attributes Horsepower Reliable / Durable Low Noise Reduced Fuel Consumption Improved Hp/Wt Heavy Fuel Capable Schedule Elements FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 Design Potential for multiple awards Fabrication Test Redesign/Fab Final Test 6 Purpose: Demonstrate high reliability (MTBO), efficient, lownoise small engines / power systems to provide improved performance, reliability, readiness, and affordability for increased operational capability of future Army UAS. Products: Full system demonstration of JP8 fueled, reliable, fuel efficient, high power to weight engine concepts for group 3 and 4 UAS. Potential Concepts/Technologies Innovative Piston/Diesel Engine Concepts Innovative Rotary Engine Concepts Recuperated Turbine Engine Hybrid Electric with Energy Storage Payoff: Provides improved mission capability for unmanned Army aircraft Increased readiness/availability, reduced logistic footprint and reduced O&S Cost Potential applications include future unmanned air systems or ground systems 9 FileName.pptx

10 Synergistic Unmanned Manned Intelligent Teaming (SUMIT) Purpose: Mature and demonstrate advanced Manned/Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) capabilities through the integration and assessment of new technologies in the areas of the Human Machine Interface (HMI), decision aiding, and autonomy, and the implementation and assessment of new employment concepts. Focus is on an Air Mission Commander using one crew station managing up to eight UAS to execute Scout/Attack and Air Assault Missions. MILESTONE FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 SUMIT Part 1 Initial HMI Definition & Req. Simulation Development Automation & HMI Development and Assessment SUMIT PART 2 Develop Advanced Automation Technology Integrate into SUMIT Simulation Environment User Assessments SUMIT PART 3 Test Planning and Preparation Integrate into Cockpit Ground and flight tests Product: PART 1 MUMT Development Environment Build Government based MUMT development environment to assess MUMT, HMI, Decision Aiding, and Autonomy Engineering evaluations of decision aiding, supervisory control of multiple UAVs, and HMI to support the Air Mission Commander s role Produce experimentation plan PART 2 Advanced MUMT Experimentation Decision aiding, autonomous behaviors, and advanced HMI integrated into the SUMIT simulation environment MUMT experimentation and user evaluations. Findings and Recommendations report PART 3 Flight Demonstration Demonstrate key technologies assessed by SUMIT Payoffs: Increased combat team effectiveness Supports advanced decision aiding for MUM teams High levels of autonomy to increase operator throughput, enabling tactical MUM teaming One aviator effectively utilizing multiple unmanned aircraft to complete mission MUMT technologies aligned with FACE and JCA standards to facilitate transition Simulation environment development for future mission systems S&T programs 10 FileName.pptx 2

11 Holistic Situational Awareness and Decision Making Purpose: Holistic Situational Awareness and Decision Making (HSA-DM) focuses on the integration of currently federated mission threads into a pilotage and decision making system that allows for freedom of maneuver in highly contested environments. Schedule Elements FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 HSA & DM Open Arc Next Gen Crew Station Advanced SA and DM Algorithms Survivability Planner Engagement Planner SIL Int. and Demos Aircraft Int. and Flt Test Products: Demonstration of Next Generation Crew Station concepts to include: Comprehensive human machine interface for all SA domains (terrain & obstacles, threat, engagement, weather & environment) Decision making technologies (Survivability and Engagement planner) to reduce cognitive loading of air crews during operations in complex and hostile environments Multi spectral data correlation and fusion algorithms for target, threat and hazard identification Integrated program with RDECOM partners (AMRDEC Missile, CERDEC, ARL) Payoff: Enable freedom of maneuver in complex and hostile environments Reduced risks to pilots and aircrews through managed cognitive work loads Decide faster Decision making algorithms for future autonomous systems Increased mission effectiveness Increased aircraft survivability 11 FileName.pptx

12 Advanced Teaming for Tactical Aviation Operations Schedule Elements FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Develop Algorithms & identify mission sets Architecture Development Configuration Trades and Analysis System Design & Build / Simulation Tests Aircraft Integration / Flight Tests Purpose: Develop and demonstrate teaming behaviors and autonomous decision making for mixed platform formations in combined arms operations Products: Resilient autonomy algorithms Self-organizing, self-healing unmanned formations Distributed command and control algorithms to enable operations in complex environments, Navigation systems to enable GPS denied operations Framework for airworthiness certification of autonomy algorithms and mixed operations Develop combined arms world model Payoff: Effective operations and enhanced survivability of aviation operations in contested environments Enhanced reliability of autonomy that adapts to failures Enables true autonomous mission capabilities beyond MUM-T tele-control Reduced risk for critical technologies in the mid to far term 12 FileName.pptx

13 Summary Future conflicts will utilize UAS in ever increasing ways S&T and industry investment is critical to achieve needed transformation and to maintain overmatch 13 FileName.pptx