US 2022/0028283 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MISSION FULFILLMENT BY UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) VIA DYNAMIC ATMOSPHERIC MODELING

Abstract

A system and method for optimizing mission fulfillment via unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within a mission space generates or receives atmospheric models forecasting weather and wind through the mission space, the atmospheric models having an uncertainty factor. Until the projected flight time, the controller may iterate through one or more simulations of a projected flight plan through the mission space, determining the probability of successful fulfillment of mission objectives based on the most current atmospheric models (including the ability of the UAS to navigate the flight plan within authorized airspace constraints). Based on conditions and behaviors observed during a simulated flight plan, the controller may revise flight plans, flight times, or atmospheric models for subsequent simulations. Based on multiple probabilities of fulfillment across multiple simulations, the controller selects an optimal flight plan and/or flight time for fulfillment of the assigned set of mission objectives.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for optimizing mission fulfillment via unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the method comprising:

selecting at a first time at least one UAS for fulfillment of one or more mission objectives within a mission space at a flight time subsequent to the first time;
receiving, via a controller of the at least one UAS, at least one atmospheric model corresponding to the mission space, the atmospheric model comprising one or more of a wind model, a weather model, a time dimension, and an uncertainty factor;
for at least one iteration between the first time and the flight time:
generating at least one flight plan through the mission space, the flight plan associated with the fulfillment of the one or more mission objectives;
determining, via the controller, at least one probability of fulfillment of the plurality of mission objectives by simulating an execution of the flight plan by the UAS at the flight time based on the atmospheric model;
and
revising, via the controller, at least one of the flight time, the flight plan, or the atmospheric model for a subsequent iteration;
and
based on the at least one determined probability of fulfillment, selecting, via the controller, at least one of an optimal flight plan or an optimal flight time corresponding to the fulfillment of the one or more mission objectives.

6 more elements

A controller configured for optimizing mission fulfillment by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), comprising:

one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions stored in memory,
the set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to:
receive, at a current time:
a plurality of mission objectives for execution by at least one UAS, the plurality of mission objectives associated with a mission space;
a flight time subsequent to the current time;
and
at least one atmospheric model corresponding to the mission space, the atmospheric model comprising one or more of a wind model, a weather model, a time dimension, and an uncertainty factor;
generate at least one flight plan through the mission space, the flight plan configured for fulfillment of the plurality of mission objectives;
determine at least one probability of fulfillment of the plurality of mission objectives by simulating an execution of the at least one flight plan by the at least one UAS at the flight time based on the at least one atmospheric model;
and
based on the determined probability of fulfillment, select one or more of an optimal flight plan or an optimal flight time for fulfillment of the plurality of mission objectives by the at least one UAS.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for optimizing mission fulfillment by unmanned aircraft systems (uas) via dynamic atmospheric modeling

Life of this patent

System and method for optimizing mission fulfillment by unmanned aircraft systems (uas) via dynamic atmospheric modeling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14