SBIR-STTR Award

The work proposed here will build on current research results to develop and implement algorithms for planning trajectories of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) working cooperatively. Their common mission is to reach a target by flying in an unknown environment, which they learn about through onboard sensors. The resulting sensor resource control problem is solved via dynamic programming. The algorithms to be developed and flight tested are envisioned as part of a first-of-a-kind autonomous VTOL UAV system being developed by NTC. This system will bring military operations closer to the goal of safe, effective operation in dangerous urban warfare environments. In addition, NTC is pursuing commercial uses of UAVs in education, newscasting, and entertainment.

Keywords:
Sensor Managment, Dynamic Programming, Uavs , Sensor Allocation, Autonomous Systems, Vehicle Path Planning

The work proposed here will build on current research results to develop and implement algorithms for planning trajectories of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) working cooperatively. Their common mission is to reach a target by flying in an unknown environment, which they learn about through onboard sensors. The resulting sensor resource control problem is solved via dynamic programming. Benefit The algorithms to be developed and flight tested are envisioned as part of a first-of-a-kind autonomous VTOL UAV system being developed by NTC. This system will bring military operations closer to the goal of safe, effective operation in dangerous urban warfare environments. In addition, NTC is pursuing commercial uses of UAVs in education, newscasting, and entertainment. Keywords UUVs, , UAVs, UGVs, Autonomous Systems, Sensor Allocation, Dynamic programming, Vehicle Path Planning, Sensor Managment