Programs
Unmanned Autonomous Collaborative Operations (UACO)
The Unmanned Autonomous Collaborative Operations program will develop and demonstrate cooperative behaviors between Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS) is supporting PercepTek, the contract prime, in several areas.
GDRS is providing its extensive knowledge and capability in Soldier-Machine Interface (SMI) development to enable high-level tasking of autonomous assets. The SMI will enable a single operator (mounted or dismounted) to command multiple autonomous assets using high level commands. For example, the operator will designate a Named Area of Interest for reconnaissance, allowing the rest of the system to determine the best complement of assets to accomplish the task.
The combination of this interface and advances in perception will enable a single operator to operate multiple unmanned aerial vehicles in a coordinated manner, thus improving mission effectiveness.
GDRS will also support UACO by supplying highly capable Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for reconnaissance and logistics support. UGVs will participate in the reconnaissance mission and will support UAV operations by serving as a mobile landing platform for refueling and refitting.
Today, multiple operators are required to conduct a mission with even the simplest UAVs. The technologies demonstrated under the UACO program will help invert this ratio so that a single operator can effectively conduct missions with multiple heterogeneous unmanned assets.
Program Sponsor: Aviation Applied Technology Directorate
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