Reference Model for Interoperability of Autonomous Systems

This thesis proposes a reference model to describe the components of an Un-manned Air, Ground, Surface, or Underwater System (UxS), and the use of a single Interoperability Building Block to command, control, and get feedback from such vehicles. The importance and advantages of such a reference model, with a standard nomenclature and taxonomy, is shown. We overview the concepts of interoperability and some efforts to achieve common refer-ence models in other areas. We then present an overview of existing un-manned systems, their history, characteristics, classification, and missions. The concept of Interoperability Building Blocks (IBB) is introduced to describe standards, protocols, data models, and frameworks, and a large set of these are analyzed. A new and powerful reference model for UxS, named RAMP, is proposed, that describes the various components that a UxS may have. It is a hierarchical model with four levels, that describes the vehicle components, the datalink, and the ground segment. The reference model is validated by showing how it can be applied in various projects the author worked on. An example is given on how a single standard was capable of controlling a set of heterogeneous UAVs, USVs, and UGVs

Electrical Energy Storage Strategy to Support Electrification of the Fleet

NPS NRP Technical ReportThis research aims to identify current advanced battery requirement (baseline) and project anticipated battery requirements for the operating force in 2035 and 2050. The research may consider other forms of energy storage as appropriate and based on sponsor interest. The research may use a mission engineering perspective to determine the battery requirements. The analysis may include battery chemistry, energy density, charge/discharge rate, safety concerns, etc. of the battery. The research will attempt to answer the following questions: What is the current advanced battery requirement (baseline)? What is the projection for batteries required by the operating force by 2035? What is the projection for batteries required by the operating force by 2050? The research plan is: 1) Conduct lit review, 2) Identify existing battery systems aboard operational systems and near-term developments, 3) Identify/develop CONOPS and mission scenarios for future battery uses, 4) Conduct targeted lit review on battery technologies that may be viable in 2035 and 2050, 5) Conduct analysis of current power converter and control hardware/software, and battery energy management, 6) Analysis of future battery techs for safety, 7) Develop predictions and recommendations for future battery use across the fleet in 2035 and 2050.N9 - Warfare SystemsThis research is supported by funding from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Research Program (PE 0605853N/2098). https://nps.edu/nrpChief of Naval Operations (CNO)Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.

BATTERY USAGE IN THE FUTURE FLEET

This research effort examined the current advanced battery requirement (baseline) and projects anticipated battery requirements for the operating force in 2035 and 2045. The research is conducted using a mission engineering perspective to determine the battery requirements. The analysis includes battery chemistry, energy density, charge/discharge rate, safety concerns, and the like, of the battery. In this research the following questions are answered: What is the current advanced battery requirement (baseline)? What is the projection for batteries required by the operating force by 2035? What is the projection for batteries required by the operating force by 2045? Upon completion of the research, the team was able to definitively determine that there will be a role for Li-ion batteries within the fleet of Navy vessels. That role will, however, be limited to running specific subsystems or equipment and will not replace the ship generators. This will remain true until the energy density of battery technology even begins to approach that of petrochemicals, which we believe is many years away if possible.Outstanding ThesisCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyCivilian, Department of the ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Military Aviation Principles

Military all over the world uses military aircraft in both offensive and defensive purposes. In offensive role, these aircraft are used in destroying enemy’s vital installations, air strips, ordnance depots and supplies. In defensive role, it provides close air support to land-based army and also deters the threats of enemy air strike. In naval warfare, military aircraft plays a significant role to detect and neutralize submarines and warships to keep the seacoast free from enemy attack. Military aircraft also provides logistic supply to forward bases, conducting airlift (cargo and troops), and participates in rescue operations during national disaster. Military aviation includes both transport and warcraft and consisting of fixed wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft (RWA) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). From the early days of world war, it has been realized that air power supremacy is vital for winning a war as well as maintaining the sovereignty of any country. This chapter discusses basic flight mechanics, types and roles of aircraft, safety considerations and design and certification procedures

Morphing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The performance and dynamic efficiency of an aircraft are significantly influenced by the aircraft shape and configuration. Therefore, the wing which is an important element in the aircraft load response in terms of drag and lift has been given increasing attention through morphing technology. Several governmental programs and academic research projects on morphing aircraft have investigated methods of efficiently changing the wing geometric characteristics in-flight. The present thesis reviews the current knowledge on wing morphing concepts and investigates the type of methods that can be used to model morphing structures. This review includes the principles of the morphing concept, realization of a morphing structure, aspects of morphing structure design, current methods to model morphing structures, challenges, and the perspectives of the morphing UAVs. It concludes that the wing cover skins must possess a high degree of deformability; but they must be able to maintain their shape and structural integrity under the compression, tension, shear and bending characteristics of aerodynamic and flight loads including the effects of added masses. In order to meet these requirements, thermoplastic elastomers and shape memory polymers are suggested as good candidate materials for smart skins. Nevertheless, an excessively flexible skin is exposed to the hazard of sagging under pressure loads. It is suggested that bio-inspired micro air vehicles based on bat wing structure will gain intensive attention since such a structure prossesses a high flexibility with anisotropy and non-linear elasticity

Robotics Horizon

The Rt Hon David Willets, minister for Universities and Science identified the importance of Robotics and Autonomous Systems as a general technology: 'Robots acting independently of human control - which can learn, adapt and take decisions - will revolutionise our economy and society over the next 20 years' (Willetts 2013). The current report has the focus on the societal aspect of this revolution and briefly sets out the landscape of current and future robotic systems applied in everyday human life and offers a brief overview of what robotics currently is and might be about in the future. The report includes contributions from across the UK robotics community (though completeness is not claimed).The emphasis is on the application of robots operating in the vicinity of human beings that can learn, adapt and take decisions. However, the underlying enabling technologies such as machine vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence are not discussed separately

Unmanned Systems Sentinel / 6 March 2016

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WindBots: A Concept for Persistent In-Situ Science Explorers for Gas Giants

This report summarizes the study of a mission concept to Jupiter with one or multiple Wind Robots able to operate in the Jovian atmosphere, above and below the clouds - down to 10 bar, for long durations and using energy obtained from local sources. This concept would be a step towards persistent exploration of gas giants by robots performing in-situ atmospheric science, powered by locally harvested energy. The Wind Robots, referred in this report as WindBots (WBs), would ride the planetary winds and transform aeolian energy into kinetic energy of flight, and electrical energy for on-board equipment. Small shape adjustments modify the aerodynamic characteristics of their surfaces, allowing for changes in direction and a high movement autonomy. Specifically, we sought solutions to increase survivability to strong/turbulent winds, and mobility and autonomy compared to passive balloons