DAY ONE: 31 JANUARY 2010
0900-0930
Compact Lidar Sensor for Obstacle Detection on Unmanned Ground and Surface Vehicles
Mr. Michael Dunbar, Velodyne Lidar, Inc., United States
Autonomous vehicles need reliable, accurate sensor for obstacle detection at ranges sufficient to take evasive action if necessary. Smaller lidar sensors can be integrated onto smaller and smaller vehicle platforms.
A compact, high resolution lidar sensor has been developed for autonomous vehicles. This sensor uses 12 lasers, each aligned to a specific vertical angle over a field from +10 to -30 degrees with respect to horizontal. Each laser diode emits a short pulse and the time of flight of the reflected light is measured to determine distance. The entire sensor rotates at speeds from 5-20 Hz to develop an accurate, dense point cloud for obstacle detection or landmark navigation.
For each light pulse, the return waveform is digitized using a high speed, DSP-based signal processing circuit. This waveform is then analyzed to extract the distance measurements. The distance along with the rotational position of the sensor emitter, and the vertical angle of the laser, are used construct a 3D model of the surroundings. Groupings of distance points can be interpreted in object recognition algorithms to identify sand classify obstacles. The vehicle control system then determines the need for any evasive action.
The sensor is well suited to terrestrial (ground based) vehicles and maritime surface vehicles. On the water surface, the laser is absorbed and only the obstacles are seen vividly.
0930-1000
Distributed Coordination of Unmanned Surface Vehicles
Dr. Jens-Olof Lindh, Kockums AB, Sweden
This paper describes how network enabling technologies can support coordination and group control of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). One challenge with such systems is that they are subject for the properties of distributed and asynchronous systems. One consequence of this is that increased performance requirements on a stable network may lead to spontaneous organizational breakdown.
This is investigated using the Piraya USV system. Four Piraya USV's are developed as tools for exploration and experimentation with group control of USV. Sea trials with the system were begun during 2008. The system is an efficient test bench for development of concepts, technologies and methodologies in the area of USV group control. The current state of these R&D activities is referred to and some operational concepts are outlined.
Results from field and sea trials include (i) a self forming ad hoc networking communication component (implemented as a Distributed Blue Force Tracker) and (ii) a four-level control model ranging from operator based mission definition at the top down to auto pilot based track keeping in the specific USVs. This indicates that a joint cognitive systems view is appropriate for engineering network systems.
1000-1030
Automated Real Time MTI in a WAAS Environment
Dr. Paul Boxer, Sentient Vision Systems, Australia
The use of UAV's for ISR missions is about to enter the next evolutionary phase.
Research from DARPA and the pronouncements of the recently released USAF Flight Plan; indicate momentum towards the utilisation of UAV's using passive EO/IR sensors in a WAAS environment.
The fields of view being considered, combined with the resolution of the imagery, demand methods to extract actionable intelligence in a timely manner.
This document is designed to explore the criticality of automated real time MTI to the success of this new environment, and the form this technology needs to take.
This paper will discuss what a new ConOps might look like, envisioning the need for a single airborne platform to be able to capture, process and disseminate reliable, actionable intelligence over wide areas in real time. The resulting vision, or extracts thereof, can be sent both to the Tactical Operations Centre and multiple field commanders using ROVER or bi-directional OSRVT's, simultaneously.
This paper will explore how new research into information processing and dissemination can make such a ConOps reality.
1100-1200
Keynote Session: Strategic Concept of Employment for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in NATO
Air Cdre. Jan van Hoof, Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), Germany
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are proliferating across the spectrum of military conflict. NATO has recognized the importance of these systems and is transforming to take advantage of them. Various NATO and non-NATO organizations are working the complex issues associated with UAS operations within the Alliance. Principle focus areas include air space management, integration and interoperability, force development, and command and control. NATO’s Centre of Excellence on Air and Space Power, the JAPCC, has produced a document (to be published January 2010) which describes a capabilities-based approach to UAS employment, which enhances the joint and coalition operator’s ability to execute assigned missions and tasks. Additionally, it recommends NATO guidance, considerations, and concepts for optimum UAS employment.
1330-1400
Armadillo and Throwcam Throwable M-UGVs
Mr. Cino Robin Castelli, MacroUSA Corp., United States
The paper will feature a presentation of the Armadillo and Throwcamera units from MacroUSA as per the contract with the Singapore Army DSTA.
No classified information will be disclosed.
The presentation will focus on the technical aspects of the Micro UGVs and their potential operational uses as well as the innovative state of the art COFDM radio system (first time such a system is delivered in a package of under 500 gr including the UGV) and the high MIL-STDs the system complies with.
1400-1430
Robotics for Rapid Agile Combat Support
1st Lt Andrew Kopeikin, Air Force Research Lab - Robotics Research Group, United States
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Robotics Research Group is responsible for research and development of intelligent unmanned systems for military applications. The group's effort in Robotics for Agile Combat Support is a comprehensive program designed to exploit common platforms, payloads, and engineering to provide a complete robotic solution to the warfighter.
AFRL/RXQF robotics research efforts will be highlighted through a review of our robotics research roadmap and case studies of four specific development efforts. First, the Immediate Visual Assessment and Neutralization (IVAN) system, a small multi-role UGV with operator swappable payloads, is undergoing development and demonstrations in operational scenarios such as missile field defense, convoy support, and chem/bio detection. Second, the Automated Range Clearance effort which continuously improves UXO clearance and construction at military ranges is highlighted through its recent success in collecting over 28000 lbs of depleted uranium UXOs during a continuous 172 hour operation. Third, the Robotic Fire-Fighting Technologies program is developing unmanned self-contained high-pressure fire-fighting vehicles, capable of all-terrain and 60+mph operations, for use in combat at forward operating bases. Finally, the Joint Collaborative Technology Engagement links heterogeneous unmanned aerial and ground systems to collaboratively execute an operational mission through common operating protocols. Development and tests efforts on these topics will be shared to highlight the robotics group's goal to enhance the capabilities of future military robotic systems.
1430-1500
Camcopter S-100 a Proven VTOL UAV Capability
Mr. Niklas Nyroth, Schiebel, Austria
The presentation will focus on Schiebel's achievements to provide decision makers with extended situational awareness.
Based on high quality information and short lead times, with the unrivalled 200kg tactical Vertical Take Off & Landing (VTOL) UAS and the unique capabilities it offers to both the military and civilian user.
In particular it will highlight:
The VTOL S-100's suitability and achievements in to a magnitude of applications in the military and civilian sectors.
The successful campaigns with the various Navy organizations worldwide
Proven autonomous operations to moving decks, day and night in varying conditions Applicability to civilian operations such as anti piracy and arctic deployments
The sensor scope it can carry, from State of the art EO/IR day and night sensors to, Synthetic Aperture Radars, ideal for the maritime domain.
1530-1600
Featured Speaker: Shipboard Employment of the Scan Eagle UAS to Meet Real World Force Protection Scenarios
Mr. Peter Bale, Insitu Pacific Limited, Australia
Australia-based Insitu Pacific provides, ScanEagle UAS to deliver valuable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data for day and night missions in both maritime and land domains.
In March of 2007, people were taken back to see that the lives of 15 Royal Navy personnel were at risk due to an adverse take over of a vessel by Iranian forces. A contributing factor may have been that persistent surveillance was not available during this routine mission. The capability within UAS realms exists today.
The Presentation will discuss maritime operational dynamics of small UAS, looking at the recent employment of the system to assist in rescue of Captain Phillips of the Alabama Maersk, from Pirates off the Somali coast. Phillips was rescued after being held captive aboard his ships life raft. The Scan Eagle UAS system played an important role providing a persistent stare capability, and giving decision maker real time Situational Awareness.
1600-1630
Featured Speaker: MQ-8B Fire Scout Overview and Status Update of Operations at Sea
Mr. Michael Fuqua, Northrop Grumman Aaerospace Systems, United States
Provide an overview of the MQ-8B Fire Scout system which will include a short history, system description, present flight-testing and spiral development growth potential and address flight test activity that has taken place since the first MQ-8B flight.
The principal points to be addressed include autonomous mission execution, shipboard successes, and rapid retasking missions. Fire Scout’s proven success record with emphasis on completed flight operations as well as contributions to both the Navy and Army forces of the future will be stressed. Spiral development of the MQ-8B will be assessed to conclude the presentation.
DAY TWO: 1 FEBRUARY 2010
0900-0930
Airspace Integration Alternatives for Unmanned Aircraft
Mr. Andrew Lacher, The MITRE Corporation, United States
The routine integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into civil airspace presents a number of technical, operational, and policy challenges. Foremost among these are 1) the lack of an on-board capability to see and avoid; and 2) coping mechanisms for dealing with vulnerabilities of the command and control link. This paper will discuss various alterative integration approaches that ensure risks are mitigated, overall system safety is not degraded, and existing traffic flows are undisrupted. Specific examples associated with small UAS, ground-based sense and avoidance approaches, and UAS flying in international oceanic airspace will be discussed. Trade-offs among these alternatives will be explored in terms of implementation timeframe, development risks, and implications for various stakeholders.
0930-1000
Simulation for Unmanned Vehicles in Maritime Applications
Mr. Roy Peshin, Simlat, Israel
Maritime unmanned vehicles operate in various missions, from security UUVs, to coast guard USVs and UAVs equipped with special payload kits. With the increased maturity of the operational systems, the Training & Simulation needs rise as well.
Simulations focused on the maritime medium pose special challenges such as visualizing waves, wakes created by motion of vessels, sun glare and others. In addition, emulating vessels' response to the dynamics of the sea surface or underwater dynamics is essential for the success of some training applications. In this session we shall introduce some of these issues, along with demonstrations of various solutions.
1000-1030
UAV Training and Readiness
Mr. Omer Frank, Tiltan Systems Engineering, Israel
Today's UAV operators training are based on actual flying and the use of simulators are limited to practice the UAV flying part only. The operational training of operating a payload, the object of the UAV, is performed mostly in real flying.
Today's technology provides new capabilities to simulate the payloads, with high fidelity, that was not available up to know. This technology opens new possibilities of training. Connecting a payload simulator to a GCS provides the operator the capability to train in the real environment, the real GCS. The operator can train and learn the battlefield with full simulated opposition beforehand. The payload operator can practice and learn the principals of interpretation. The UAV pilot can learn how to fly a UAV without limiting the operational payload. The simulation in the GCS can provide the team with real teamwork and operational real-time management skills.
This paper will describe today's simulation capabilities, and the way they improve the UAV training and operational readiness.
1100-1200
Keynote Session: Leveraging Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Meet United States Navy Maritime ISR Demands
CAPT Robert Dishman, U.S. Navy, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircrat Systems (PMA-262), United States
The United States Navy is developing a range of unmanned aircraft systems to meet ever-expanding ISR demands that support a wide range of maritime missions. This session highlights how the United States Navy is developing a new generation of aircraft for a new era of maritime engagement.
1330-1400
Automated Aircraft Ground Refueling
LT Jake Hobson, Air Force Research Lab - Robotics Research Group, United States
This presentation will discuss the Autonomous Aircraft Ground Refueling (AAGR) project which is currently in development by the United States Air Force's Air Force Research Laboratory. This system is a ground robot that will refuel U.S. fighter aircraft during "hot pit" refueling operations, which pose an increased risk to refueling personnel. The system utilizes vision guidance to find the aircraft and perform panel opening and nozzle insertion tasks. These tasks are accomplished by a robotic manipulator with customs end effectors. The manipulator system is delivered to the fighter aircraft with a pivoting arm. This system will also chalk the back wheels of the aircraft, thus increasing the efficiency and safety of ground refueling personnel.
The project is ongoing. This presentation will describe the AAGR system, as well as the project development status. Additionally, the discussion will include some of the unique challenges encountered in the development and the proposed operations.
1400-1430
Singapore Robotic Games and Other Robotics Activities in Singapore
Dr. Marcelo Ang, Jr., National University of Singapore, Singapore
1430-1500
European UAS Standard Progress Report
Mr. Dewar Donnithorne-Tait, AUVSI, United Kingdom
The development of standards, on which the Authorities can base regulation and certification, for unmanned aircraft systems to fly alongside manned aviation in non-segregated airspace remains the single most important issue for the global unmanned systems sector.
Authorities and standards-writing organisations on both sides of the Atlantic are working together to deliver the requirements. As the work progresses, the range of issues and activities increases and the need for capabilities and resources to undertake the work also increases. Working in close coordination with EUROCONTROL and EASA, and liaising with USA (FAA etc) and international (ICAO) organizations, EUROCAE WG73 UAS is now in its fourth year of activity. Two of the 6 deliverables called for in the Group's Terms of Reference have been produced and two more are currently advanced drafts, one having completed consultation. Preparations for the final 2 deliverables (concerning (4) Command and Control, (5) are now underway.
The principal USA group working on similar issues, RTCA SC203, and WG 73 are both mandated to use similar methodologies for the development of the required standards. The nature of these methodologies (USA – DO 264, Europe – ED78a) has brought cooperative opportunities into sharp focus and encouraging progress is being made in identifying synergies to help accelerate work.
JARUS is a group of European Authorities, chaired by the NL CAA with observers from other authorities, and is a forum for cooperation, in which national civil aviation authorities share knowledge and best practice in those areas of UAS regulation for which they, and not EASA, are responsible. The NL CAA JARUS Chairman is also the Chairman of Sub Group 4 of EUROCAE WG73 UAS, thereby ensuring close coordination.
There are many challenging issues to be addressed in this area and this presentation will cover some of them including: spectrum allocation, replacing on-board pilot functionality, experimentation, simulation, systems architectures and security.
1530-1615
Featured Speaker: The Outlook for the UAS Market in Asia-Pacific
Mr. Julius Yeo, Frost and Sullivan, Singapore
1615-1645
UAV's in Close Air Support Training
Major Robert Kendall, Canadian Forces, Canada