The UK Mission Management Aid Project

Abstract In the 21st century combat aircraft necessarily will be complex and sophisticated to counter aggressors, on land, sea, or in the air, anywhere in the world. Along with new and improved sensors and weapons, cockpit facilities are being enhanced, bringing more and varied information to be absorbed and handled by aircrew. In this environment, to optimise situational awareness and mission effectiveness, some form of computerised assistance will be needed. UK Industry and Government are collaborating in a Mission Management Aid (MMA) project, to investigate this problem, by rapid prototyping the functional requirements and examining the real-time interface between man and his intelligent aircraft; he must remain in command, but can delegate control when and where he wishes. This paper outlines the current work on the MMA, and covers the core topics of Sensor Fusion, Situation & Threat Assessment, Dynamic Planning, Tactical Response, and how the system might integrate into an aircraft.