RPAS for territorial surveillance 2030 - command and control

Authors:

  • Peter Svenmarck
  • Rogier Woltjer

Publish date: 2015-03-19

Report number: FOI-R--3981--SE

Pages: 35

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • RPAS
  • command and control
  • human factors
  • sociotechnical system
  • autonomy
  • user interface

Abstract

The Swedish Armed Forces currently use Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) for reconnaissance in support of ground troops. The advantages of RPAS, such as long endurance, lower costs, and low risk for personnel, also make them beneficial for territorial surveillance as a complement to existing systems. With appropriate sensors, RPAS can provide long-range surveillance for early warning and control. However, since the purpose of territorial surveillance is to enable more response options, the whole command chain needs to be adapted to take advantage of this RPAS capability. Several recommendations are provided for command and control, as well as operator control of RPAS. The recommendations are based on interviews and discussions with personnel that have experience of territorial surveillance and RPAS. Complementary information was also derived from international research about RPAS. Some of the most important recommendations are that the Swedish Armed Forces: ? analyse how the whole command chain needs to be adapted to take advantage of the potential for improved aerial and maritime long-range surveillance; For example, trade-offs are necessary between capabilities of sensors, data link, RPAS performance, safety in air traffic control, staffing, and communication with end-users. These trade-offs also be considered in relation to their effect on system characteristics, such as robustness and resilience. ? use a data link with high capacity and update rate for communication with RPAS since it is necessary for the preferred close control of combat aircraft; Such functionality is similar to current systems for Airborne Early Warning and Control. ? participate actively in the development of mandate and procedures for using RPAS in controlled air space; There are areas with less air traffic that are suitable for RPAS, but the regulations for using RPAS in controlled air space are still in development. ? use the framework that the Defense Science Board Task Force on The Role of Autonomy in DoD Systems proposed in 2012 to improve the development of RPAS; The framework considers the dynamics of functions and roles, between operators, and between operators and RPAS. ? investigate how RPAS-operators create and maintain a shared understanding of the situation even when there are unexpected events, as well as potential support for this team process; ? follow the research about adjustable autonomy in the NATO-STO group HFM-247 Human-Autonomy Teaming.