Aerial Command and Control of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Abstract : The benefits provided by teaming unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with active in-flight crewmembers suggest research should be conducted on the practicality of this pairing. This study was conducted to examine two issues: the flight performance of a simulated UAS flight piloted within a UH-60, and the potential for motion sickness when piloting the UAS within the UH-60. UAS flight conditions consisted of a training (lecture) session, within a grounded UH-60, within a flying UH-60 with unobstructed windows, and within a flying UH-60 with obstructed windows. Being within an in-flight UH-60 resulted in little negative UAS flight controller performance, but did lead to increased motion sickness, especially during vigorous flight conditions. Results suggest that further research is necessary concerning the issue of motion sickness prior to implementing UAS operation within an in-flight UH-60.