VSCS “The Face of COUNTER”

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COUNTER : Cooperative Operations in UrbaN TERrain Concept is a cooperative team of Small and Micro Unmanned Air Systems (UAS’s) working together in an urban environment.

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VSCS : Vigilant Spirit Control Station A control station application that allows one operator to simultaneously control multiple UAS’s.

Used to interact with COUNTER algorithms and control vehicles during simulation and flight testing.

“VSCS is the FACE of COUNTER” 1 Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511

Vigilant Spirit

Overview / Key Technical Attributes

Single Operator, Multiple Vehicles, Diverse Missions & Payloads, Advanced Intuitive User Interface, One Common Solution

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Innovative Operator Interface (Video / DVR / Mosaic) Flexible Software Architecture Dynamic Mission Planning (DMP) Simulation STANAG – 4586 Standard Data Link Interface Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 2

MUSCIT X-45 UCAV

Vigilant Spirit

Background J-UCAS Project Churchill Automated Aerial Refueling Long Range Strike Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 Predator/Reaper COUNTER 3

Vigilant Spirit Control Station (VSCS) AAR Example

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 4

Vigilant Spirit Software Architecture

• Support for multiple computer types and display resolutions.

• Data driven layouts ( XML Files ) • Supports interface component plug-ins.

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 5

COUNTER Connectivity Diagram

DMP - Cooperative Control Algorithms CMF CMF Vigilant Spirit Control Station CMF Network Switch Video Processing Board CMF Bat-III Control Station VSM (CMF Bridge) Wireless Modem Video Receiver Misc Video Hardware Nighthawk Control Station VSM (CMF Bridge) Video Cable (xN) Wireless Modem Video Receiver Misc Video Hardware • VSM = Vehicle Specific Module • CMF = Common Message Format • CMF refers to the messages defined in NATO STANAG 4586 making up the data link interface • Connectivity to various diverse projects made it a necessity to communicate in a standard way.

• VSCS Connectivity Guide – Tailored to project unique requirements.

• Developed VS 4586 CMF Toolkit

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 6

VSCS Vehicle Integration

COUNTER Example - High Level View

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Transparent to VSCS as to whether talking to live or simulated vehicle.

Capability to simply replace live vehicle connections with simulated vehicle connections.

Counter Simulation Case 1: All vehicles are simulated.

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A select set of messages transmitted to/from vehicles following defined protocol.

Video from each vehicle.

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 Video Messages Hybrid Case 2: Simulated and live vehicles.

Case 3: All vehicles are live.

Counter Flight Test 7

C# C++ JAVA

VS 4586 CMF Toolkit

3 Primary Components

• Message Implementations • VS 4586 CMF Code Generator • VS 4586 CMF Analyzer

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 8

COUNTER Algorithm Implementation

Dynamic Mission Planning (DMP) Dynamic Mission Planning

• DMP generic term used to describe algorithms that generate plans based on operator specifications.

• DMP implemented as separate server type application – not compiled into VSCS.

• DMP location independent of VSCS.

• Supports vehicle unique capabilities.

• VSCS focus on common user interface allowing operator to make planning requests.

• Custom CMF messages utilized to make plan requests and receive resultant plans.

COUNTER Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 9

VSCS Typical Layout During COUNTER Flight Testing

Summary Panels Tactical Situation Display (TSD) Video Mosaic Control Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 Command Bar Video Tools 10

Video Tool Control Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Capability

Vehicle Selector Video Frames Camera Selector DVR Controls DVR Seek Bar Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 Misc Status Info 11

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 Example showing TSD view when DVR is used to slide back in time. Ghost ship represents the vehicles position at the time selected on DVR control.

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Example of the COUNTER Process utilizing VSCS

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Choose vehicles.

Pick targets.

Apply planning constraints.

Generate plans.

Send plans to vehicles Monitor vehicles during mission execution.

Repeat as necessary.

Cleared for Public Release RH-08-104511 13