Vehicle control station with back-up VSM for remotely controlling an unmanned vehicle, and method

A control station for remotely controlling an unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle having a first data link, a vehicle processing system, a first vehicle computing unit and a route control system in communication with each other, the control station comprising:

• a control system operable to receive input for controlling the unmanned vehicle and configured to form corresponding data link messages and vehicle messages having a STANdardization AGreement (STANAG) 4586 protocol for subsequent transmission and reception;
• a second vehicle computing unit in communication with said control system operable to receive vehicle messages from said control system having said STANAG 4586 protocol and transmit such messages to said second data link, and to transmit such messages using a second protocol suitable for communication with the route control system when directed to use said second protocol by said control system;
• and
• a second data link in communication with said control system and in communication with said second vehicle computing unit, said second data link operable to receive data link messages and vehicle messages from respective said control system and said second vehicle computing unit and to transmit and receive respective data link and vehicle messages to and from the first data link.

A method for controlling an unmanned vehicle using a control station, the unmanned vehicle having a first data link, a vehicle processing system, a first vehicle computing unit and a route control system in communication with each other, the method comprising:

• transmitting and receiving data link messages and vehicle messages to and from the unmanned vehicle using a first protocol for controlling the unmanned vehicle wherein the control station has a control system, a second vehicle computing unit and a second data link in communication with the vehicle;
• receiving a heartbeat message from the first vehicle computing unit;
• monitoring said heartbeat message to determine if said vehicle processing system has a negative health;
• transmitting said vehicle messages in a second protocol suitable for communicating with the route control system if the step of monitoring determines the vehicle processing system has said negative health.