Automation and interoperability challenges for heterogeneous UAS fleet management

The command, control, communications and intelligence (C3I) (sub)systems and components of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is a highly customised solution. Such a dedicated design raises the complexity when integrating a single-aircraft-single-control platform into a fleet of different (i.e. heterogeneous) platforms. Heterogeneity cannot be avoided in a large fleet of UASs that allows the use of several vendor solutions; meanwhile maintaining or even increasing automation (i.e. and its benefits) could only be achieved by preserving interoperability at C3I. This paper introduces an operational system concept addressing the strategic planning; including a mission planning tool compliant with STANAG, and a performance analysis tool to evaluate the inter-vehicular communications at flight segment level.