VSCS The Face of COUNTER COUNTER Cooperative Operations

VSCS “The Face of COUNTER” COUNTER : Cooperative Operations in Urba. N TERrain • Concept is a cooperative team of Small and Micro Unmanned Air Systems (UAS’s) working together in an urban environment. “VSCS is the FACE of COUNTER” 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. 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 Innovative Operator Interface Flexible Software Architecture (Video / DVR / Mosaic) Dynamic Mission Planning (DMP) Simulation STANAG – 4586 Standard Data Link Interface 2 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

Vigilant Spirit Background J-UCAS Project Churchill X-45 UCAV Automated Aerial Refueling MUSCIT Long Range Strike COUNTER Predator/Reaper 3 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

Vigilant Spirit Control Station (VSCS) AAR Example 4 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

Vigilant Spirit Software Architecture • Support for multiple computer types and display resolutions. • Data driven layouts ( XML Files ) • Supports interface component plug-ins. 5 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

COUNTER Connectivity Diagram • 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 • 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. Video Hybrid Case 2: Simulated and live vehicles. Messages Case 3: All vehicles are live. • A select set of messages transmitted to/from vehicles following defined protocol. • Video from each vehicle. Counter Flight Test 7 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

VS 4586 CMF Toolkit C# 3 Primary Components C++ JAVA • Message Implementations • VS 4586 CMF Code Generator • VS 4586 CMF Analyzer 8 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

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 9 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

VSCS Typical Layout During COUNTER Flight Testing Summary Panels Tactical Situation Display (TSD) Command Bar Video Mosaic Control Video Tools 10 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511

Video Tool Control Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Capability Video Frames Vehicle Selector Camera Selector DVR Controls DVR Seek Bar 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. Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511 12

Example of the COUNTER Process utilizing VSCS • • Choose vehicles. Pick targets. Apply planning constraints. Generate plans. Send plans to vehicles Monitor vehicles during mission execution. Repeat as necessary. 13 Cleared for Public Release RH-08 -104511