"Before we can fly multiple aircraft safely and effectively, we need to make it easier to fly a single aircraft."

• COMSTAR automates mission-critical elements of UAV flight. It contains algorithms for aircraft control that allow the operator to specify the mission and the desired results, rather than micro-managing waypoints and flight routes.
  
  COMSTAR also contains Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software to let it identify and track several classes of targets.
  
  For example, the operator can designate a working area and a mission to identify and track dismounted targets. The aircraft will develop a plan to search the area, and will enter orbit around any human it detects. The operator indicates with a mouse-click whether the aircraft should maintain a track on the target or continue the search.



• Air Sentinel automates safety-of-flight elements of UAV operations. UAV operators spend a great deal of their time checking and maintaining the aircraft systems. This is time that the operator is not focused on their mission. Air Sentinel identifies many time-consuming tasks that can be automated for the operator. For example, managing fuel ladders, calculating bingo time, monitoring RPM reading for fluctuations, and ensuring that the aircraft stay within safe flight boundaries.
  
  For multi-UAV operations, it also deconflicts airspace and provides mission-planning. Launching and recovering multiple aircraft is a complicated set of tasks. For Persistent Surveillance, new aircraft must be launched in time for relief on station. Aircraft recoveries must be coordinated so that aircraft do not run out of fuel while waiting for their turn to land. Air Sentinel provides all of this coordination and a great deal more.



• Arid simplifies the UAV software interface. It provides an at-a-glance assessment of aircraft health, including fuel levels, voltages, and time remaining on station. It also removes visual clutter from the screen, increasing the operator's situational awareness. This simplified interface is beneficial to any operator flying a single UAV, but it is critical to an operator controlling multiple UAVs.

For information on how this technology can be used to upgrade your UAV or your GCS, please contact the Program Manager.

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