As technology advances and geopolitical challenges intensify, the need for advanced, reliable and secure navigation capabilities for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) becomes more urgent. Ensuring operational integrity in the civil and defense sectors is crucial. The emergence of systems that can interfere with navigation and radio communications underlines this need, especially because of the dependence on the GNSS signal. On the other hand, the complexity of the operations being carried out is also increasing. Among them, MUM-T operations stand out, i.e. those in which both manned aircraft and UAVs collaborate. The coordination and proper functioning of navigation systems has never been so important. In the following study we will discuss these two advanced navigation capabilities and how they can be incorporated into daily operations in our world.
GNSS signal compromised
GNSS signal disruptions can be due to natural phenomena, technical failures and, more worryingly, deliberate jamming or blocking by adversaries. GNSS signal disruptions can have devastating consequences in critical operations, such as military or emergency operations. Even small deviations or brief interruptions can be catastrophic. The increasing frequency of these outages highlights the urgent need for more robust navigation systems. Deliberate attacks on the GNSS signal include the following:
- Jamming: involves the deliberate alteration of GNSS signals by saturating frequencies with noise, which hinders reception of the original signal and may result in lost connections or inaccurate data.
- Spoofing: creating and transmitting false GNSS signals to fool a GNSS receiver, generating false positioning data and leading users to navigate inaccurately. Both types of interference pose significant risks to systems that rely on GNSS navigation.
Visual navigation as an alternative
In the face of reliance on GNSS signals we have the alternative of visual navigation. This advanced navigation capability employs an onboard camera that captures and processes images during flight, creating an internal map for use when GNSS is not available. It uses three techniques to accurately determine position, orientation and relative motion:
- Visual odometry: calculates the displacement of points in consecutive frames, providing motion data with a small margin of error.
- Pattern recognition: searches and identifies characteristic points in real-time images, comparing them with a pre-stored geo-referenced collection to determine the absolute position.
- Inertial measurement: facilitates navigation by estimation, providing more reliable data than conventional solutions.
Towards a collaborative combat fleet
The development of manned and unmanned aircraft teaming systems, known as Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), also called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) escort drones or Loyal Wingmen, has immense potential for air forces around the world. This innovative approach improves mission capabilities and success while reducing human risk and operational costs. Many air forces plan to deploy these autonomous CCAs alongside their next generation fighter aircraft. These unmanned, unmanned training partners will perform a variety of missions, including target strikes, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare operations. The future fleet of collaborative fighter aircraft will include a diverse range of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) of different sizes and capabilities. From agile micro-UAVs for reconnaissance missions to larger and more robust platforms for strike and electronic warfare operations. The flexibility of the CCA concept allows for customized solutions to meet specific mission requirements.
How to achieve optimal human-drone interaction
The development of a collaborative fighter aircraft (CCA) fleet requires meticulous planning and design. For example, in the case of “attritable UAS,” which are more cost-effective than traditional manned aircraft due to the type of technology they use, more optimized manufacturing processes and no reliance on trained onboard crews to operate them. They are designed to be reusable but affordable enough to be sacrificed for high-risk missions without the expectation of return. In addition to technological advances, it is crucial that an air force establish the organizational structure necessary to operate and maintain these advanced aircraft. The formation of specialized units and the training of airmen to operate and rely on unmanned aircraft are essential components of this process. Comprehensive training programs will equip Airmen with the skills necessary to effectively integrate manned and unmanned assets, fostering operational synergy on the battlefield. In this transformative process, air forces must meet the challenge of perfecting human interaction with UAVs. Conceived as a fleet of UAVs directed by an air battle leader from a nearby platform, the focus is on optimizing control mechanisms and communication protocols between manned and unmanned assets. Seamless coordination between human operators and autonomous capabilities will be essential to ensure harmonious and effective collaboration.
The advanced navigation capabilities of UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesia
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía has always stood out for its capacity to put on the table, in every moment, solutions to the demands of the aeronautical industry. The advanced navigation capabilities it develops not only respond to the needs of the market, but also have all the processes and security guarantees that make them 100% reliable. Facing the problems represented by the alteration or interruption of the GNSS signal, UAV Navigation-Oesia Group offers a navigation kit composed of an Inertial Navigation System (POLAR-300) and a Visual Navigation System (VNS01). The flight tests carried out combining both elements have shown their efficiency, reducing the error percentages to very low levels, both in known and unknown areas. In relation to MUM-T operations, the company’s advanced flight control computer (FCC), the Vector-600, is leading the way in making unmanned aircraft an essential tool for future air force fleets. In the aerial target sector, UAV Navigation-Oesia Group has experience in the integration of control stations in manned aircraft, allowing the direct control of UAVs during the execution of demanding flight campaigns in which real operating conditions are simulated. The system also features innovative functions, such as the deployment of UAVs from other aircraft and coordinated flights based on 4D trajectories. These developments are significant steps towards MUM-T implementation.
Miguel Ángel de Frutos, Director & CTO of UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía