Lockheed Martin and Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) in Poland have demonstrated new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) optimisation technologies using aerial command-and-control (C2) of multiple UAVs.

Developed under a joint WUT-Lockheed Martin advanced applied research programme, the newly demonstrated technologies intend to advance its previous optimisation work.

As part of the optimisation, the partnership combines airborne C2, enhances user interfaces, as well as tests new methods for related subroutines, including those similar to a search-and-rescue task.

The new technology has showed the potential use of tools by an operator in changing scenarios, as well as calculate and implement new and optimised solutions to the fleet of commanded aircraft, both for civil and military purposes.

WUT department of automation and aeronautical systems head professor Janusz Narkiewicz said: “These technologies have tremendous commercial and military potential as the world moves toward greater and greater use of unmanned aerial systems.

“These technologies have tremendous commercial and military potential as the world moves toward greater and greater use of unmanned aerial systems."

“Understanding how different assets can interoperate, communicate, and serve common objectives with maximum efficiency is a challenging task in the growing field of UAV technologies.”

By using improved mathematic calculations and a systems-of-systems approach, the new technology enhances mission efficiency by adapting the fleet’s commanded flight paths, speeds, division of duties, and sensor performance.

The joint WUT-Lockheed Martin research programme further aims to work on optimisation of various fleets of aircraft and concepts related to manned-unmanned command and control of airborne platform systems.

Demonstrating the concept of manned-unmanned teaming, the partnership eventually aims to develop quickly adaptive approaches to live management of a UAV fleet.

Image: Lockheed Martin and Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) demonstrated new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) optimisation technologies. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.