Adaptive autonomy system architecture

A method of operating a vehicle having an autonomy system in an environment, the method comprising:

• determining, via an autonomy system within the vehicle, a state of the environment based at least in part on sensor data from at least one of a plurality of sensors coupled to the vehicle;
• identifying, via the autonomy system within the vehicle, a plurality of tasks to be performed by the vehicle;
• generating, via the autonomy system within the vehicle, a task assignment list from the plurality of tasks that is based at least in part on predetermined optimization criteria;
• determining, via the autonomy system within the vehicle, if any task of the plurality of tasks violates one or more predetermined constraints;
• instructing, via the autonomy system within the vehicle, a vehicle controller of the vehicle to execute the plurality of tasks in accordance with the task assignment list if the plurality of tasks does not violate the one or more predetermined constraints;
• and
• monitoring, via the autonomy system within the vehicle, the vehicle or the vehicle controller during execution of the task assignment list to identify any errors.

An aircraft for operation in an environment, the aircraft comprising:

• a processor, within the aircraft, operatively coupled with a memory device;
• a plurality of sensors, within the aircraft, operatively coupled with the processor;
• and
• a flight controller, within the aircraft,
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• determine a state of the environment based at least in part on sensor data from at least one of a plurality of sensors;
• identify a plurality of tasks to be performed by the aircraft;
• generate a task assignment list from the plurality of tasks that is based at least in part on predetermined optimization criteria;
• prioritize a task as a function of one or more threats;
• determine if any task of the plurality of tasks violates one or more predetermined constraints;
• instruct flight controller to execute the plurality of tasks in accordance with the task assignment list if the plurality of tasks does not violate the one or more predetermined constraints;
• and
• monitor the aircraft or the flight controller during execution of the task assignment list to identify any errors.