PROJECT TITLE: A Learning Algorithm for Multi-Ship Flight Path Management
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
We propose to develop and demonstrate an innovative system for multi-ship flight path management of multiple Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) based on a learning neural network guidance algorithm known as an Adaptive Critic. This system will automate such processes as formation flying and coordinated attack so that a substantial workload is removed from an operator. The operator will simply specify the final formation and an automatic guidance system will specify flight paths for each aircraft. A robust outer-loop control system on board each aircraft can then generate controls which will execute the commanded maneuvers.Automating multi-ship flight path management is improtant because several UCAV must be coordinated by a single operator. He cannot pilot more than one aircraft effectively by himself. Therefore, a substantial amount of automation must be performed. Each aircraft must fly itself. The operator must be freed to operate all the aircraft as a single unit. With our system, instead of deciding how each aircraft must be moved to get the group into a desired formation, he will select some variation on a pre-specified maneuver and the flight control systems of the aircraft will execute it.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Our product has applications to multi-ship flight path management of multiple Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. Potential non-military applications include cooperating robots, automated ship maneuvers, coordinated satellite maneuvers, and automated air traffic control.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Chadwick J. Cox
Accurate Automation Corporation
7001 Shallowford Rd.
Chattanooga , TN 37421
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Accurate Automation Corporation
7001 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga , TN 37421