Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations Through the lens of a high reliability system: Challenges and Opportunities

This study examines the impact of regulations and standard procedures on safety outcomes in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations, specifically focussing on Norwegian military UAV systems, from a high reliability organization (HRO) perspective. By analysing data from existing regulations, accident reports, and interviews with military drone pilots using thematic analysis, we identify key recurring themes. Our findings highlight the importance of fatigue and exhaustion due to the absence of regulations on resting time for military drone pilots. This poses substantial risks and increases the likelihood of accidents and incidents in UAV operations. Additionally, we uncover gaps in safety reporting and accountability for military UAV pilots, indicating the need for improved reporting procedures that consider the unique operational elements of UAVs. Effective communication between stakeholders, including drone pilots, ground crew, and air traffic controllers, emerges as a critical factor in maintaining situational awareness. This emphasis on communication is consistent with HRO principles and supports the essential safety tasks of UAV pilots, namely sense-making, decision making, and performance. By uncovering the impact of regulations and operational procedures on safety outcomes and addressing fatigue in UAV operations, this research contributes to enhancing the safety and reliability of Norwegian military UAV systems.publishedVersio

Delt situasjonsforståelse under søk og redning i nordområdene

Prosjektets mål er å bidra til økt kunnskap om hvordan etablere delt situasjonsforståelse mellom sentrale aktører innen SAR i Nordområdet. Prosjektgruppa har arbeidet ut ifra en menneske-teknologi-organisasjon (MTO) tilnærming og hvor vi har sett på 1) menneskelige og organisatoriske faktorer og 2) tekniske faktorer som virker inn på etableringen av delt situasjonsforståelse mellom aktører. Det er blitt samlet inn statistikk over hendelser, involverte ressurser og aktører, det er gjennomført en litteraturgjennomgang, arrangert en workshop og utført intervjuer med aktører innen SAR. I denne rapporten legger vi fram resultater fra disse studiene som er gjort. Rapporten inneholder følgende hovedelementer: • Oversikt over eksisterende tekniske, menneskelige og organisatoriske utfordringer for delt situasjonsforståelse og effektiviteten i SAR-tjenesten. • Forslag til konkrete aktiviteter og tiltak som vil bidra til en bedre delt situasjonsforståels

Forprosjekt dronebase Bardu. (6/2016)

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Arctic UAS study: Arctic threats to safe design of Unmanned Aerial Systems

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) as they are designed today are vulnerable for arctic conditions. Both the UAV industry and the UAV operators need more knowledge about how safe design can be implemented for UAV’s with regards to surviving under arctic conditions. In order to find out what is required to survive under arctic conditions, arctic conditions must be defined. This report describes arctic conditions and is a first attempt to establish a common toolbox for establishing a knowledge base related to safe design of UAV’s for arctic conditions. The arctic UAV study has done extensive reachout to collect data from both civilian and military UAV pilots. The result of this data collection is presented in this study

Arctic UAS study: Arctic threats to safe design of Unmanned Aerial Systems

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) as they are designed today are vulnerable for arctic conditions. Both the UAV industry and the UAV operators need more knowledge about how safe design can be implemented for UAV’s with regards to surviving under arctic conditions. In order to find out what is required to survive under arctic conditions, arctic conditions must be defined. This report describes arctic conditions and is a first attempt to establish a common toolbox for establishing a knowledge base related to safe design of UAV’s for arctic conditions. The arctic UAV study has done extensive reachout to collect data from both civilian and military UAV pilots. The result of this data collection is presented in this study.publishedVersio