Concept of operations

About: Concept of operations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 964 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6845 citations. The topic is also known as: CONOPS.

Fly-by-Logic: A Tool for Unmanned Aircraft System Fleet Planning Using Temporal Logic

Abstract: Safe planning for fleets of Unmaned Aircraft Systems (UAS) performing complex missions in urban environments has typically been a challenging problem. In the United States of America, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been studying the regulation of the airspace when multiple such fleets of autonomous UAS share the same airspace, outlined in the Concept of Operations document (ConOps). While the focus is on the infrastructure and management of the airspace, the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) ConOps also outline a potential airspace reservation based system for operation where operators reserve a volume of the airspace for a given time interval to operate in, but it makes clear that the safety (separation from other aircraft, terrain, and other hazards) is a responsibility of the drone fleet operators. In this work, we present a tool that allows an operator to plan out missions for fleets of multi-rotor UAS, performing complex time-bound missions. The tool builds upon a correct-by-construction planning method by translating missions to Signal Temporal Logic (STL). Along with a simple user interface, it also has fast and scalable mission planning abilities. We demonstrate our tool for one such mission.

Novel ATM and Avionic Systems for Environmentally Sustainable Aviation

Abstract: Large-scale air transport modernisation initiatives including the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR), Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative for Aeronautics and Air Transport aim to improve the operational efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability of aviation. Scientific advances in Air Transport Management (ATM) and avionic systems are required to achieve the ambitious goals set by national and international aviation organisations. This paper presents the recent advances in ATM and avionic system concepts, integrated architectures and trajectory generation algorithms, to be adopted in Next Generation Avionics Flight Management Systems (NG-FMS) and ground-based 4-Dimensional Trajectory Planning, Negotiation and Validation (4-PNV) systems. Current research efforts are focussed on the development of NG-FMS and 4-PNV systems for Four Dimensional (4D) Trajectory/Intent Based Operations (TBO/IBO), enabling automated negotiation and validation of aircraft intents and thus alleviating the workload of operators. After describing the NG-FMS/4PNV concept of operations, the overall system architecture and the key mathematical models describing the 4DT optimisation algorithms are introduced. Simulation case studies utilising realistic operational scenarios highlight the generation and optimisation of a family of 4DT intents by the NG-FMS corresponding to a set of performance weightings agreed between Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) and Airline Operation Centres (AOC). The savings on time, fuel burn and gaseous emissions (CO2 and NOx) associated with the globally optimal 4DT intents are presented. The developed optimisation and negotiation/validation loops meet the timeframe requirements of typical online tactical routing/rerouting tasks.

Imaging components for a robotic casualty evaluation system

Abstract: Combat medics have a vital role in the protection of wounded soldiers in the battlespace However, their duties expose them to great risks Furthermore, these medics are a limited resource and must be carefully tasked in order to provide maximum benefit to their units For these reasons, we are applying the American GNC Corporation's (AGNC) Coremicro® Robotic System for autonomous evaluation of battlefield casualties These robots are intended to navigate to a casualty, determine his/her overall health status, and perform limited diagnostic imaging in order to assess the presence of injuries that would prevent or complicate extraction In this paper, we describe development work on some of the key components of the proposed robotic system, namely the overall concept of operations (ConOps) and initial testing of infrared and ultrasound imaging cameras When fully deployed, this system will act as a medical force multiplier, enabling improved care of wounded soldiers and protecting the health and safety of military medical personnel

Don't Go Downtown without Us: The Role of Aerospace Power in Joint Urban Operations

Abstract: : For many people, the term urban operations brings to mind the specters of Mogadishu, Hue City, and Stalingrad, where vicious, house-to-house infantry fighting was the order of the day. However, it is a mistake to view all urban operations through this bloody lens. Such operations fall all along the spectrum of military operations -- from humanitarian relief to peace support to major theater war. Aerospace power can play a major role in helping the joint force achieve its objectives with less risk in many scenarios across this operational continuum. From a historical perspective, urban operations are not a new phenomenon for the Air Force or our sister services. Joint aerospace power in various forms has contributed significantly to successfully executed urban operations in many recent conflicts and contingencies. Most urban operations will include five components. Arguably the most important component of our concept of operations, battle-space analysis encompasses preparing intelligence concerning the battle space and maintaining operational-level situational awareness during all phases of the campaign. The second component in a joint urban operation, isolation involves physically and psychologically separating an adversary from his urban support base, limiting his mobility and communication, and negating his ability to acquire useful intelligence on friendly operations. The decisive-engagement component involves gaining the initiative by applying friendly strengths against the key nodes, systems, and choke points identified during the JFC's battle-space analysis. The third component is sustainment. Prerequisites for its success are continuous, real-time analysis of the battle space; operational effects achieved against key nodes and systems; and adversary responses. The final component of our operational concept refers to a variety of long-term, peace-shaping operations that ultimately mark the termination of urban violence or armed conflict.

Probabilistic Formal Verification of the SATS Concept of Operation

Abstract: The objective of NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation System SATS Concept of Operations ConOps is to facilitate High Volume Operation HVO of advanced small aircraft operating in non-towered non-radar airports. Given the safety-critical nature of SATS, its analysis accuracy is extremely important. However, the commonly used analysis techniques, like simulation and traditional model checking, do not ascertain a complete verification of SATS due to the wide range of possibilities involved in SATS or the inability to capture the randomized and unpredictable aspects of the SATS ConOps environment in their models. To overcome these limitations, we propose to formulate the SATS ConOps as a fully synchronous and probabilistic model, i.e., SATS-SMA, that supports simultaneously moving aircraft. The distinguishing features of our work include the preservation of safety of aircraft while improving throughput at the airport. Important insights related to take-off and landing operations during the Instrument Meteorological Conditions IMC are also presented.