Darpa's Damage Tolerance
17 August 2006 15:43
Challenge
Damage tolerance capability is crucial for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) operating in extremely hazardous, high-threat environments. The technology provides for virtually instantaneous, autonomous assessment of damage incurred followed by an immediate response that alters the flight control system to compensate for the effects of that damage. The Athena Technologies effort will demonstrate a capability that is potentially applicable to all military aircraft operating in combat environments. The technology is also relevant to any vehicle that might sustain physical damage impacting controlled flight.
Solution
Athena's technology is based on a unique, software-based approach to vehicle control that it has developed and evolved over nearly a decade. Its evolutionary string of control algorithms have been built on experience achieved using a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Efforts will focus on airborne demonstrations of autonomous damage detection and recovery and the subsequent real time reconfiguration of the control laws needed to maintain vehicle stability and control. These adjustments will enable air vehicles to complete their missions after incurring battle damage and allow them to safely return home.
Specifically, Athena will provide solutions that offer:
- Robust, general-solution techniques for implementing damage-tolerance and system-survivability features
- Innovative strategies for avionics redundancy management that would be applicable to most air vehicles
Results
Athena's three-and-half year effort, performed through a three-phase development roadmap, will culminate in two levels of damage tolerance demonstrations beginning in June 2006.
For more information on this company:
Athena - Controls and Navigation Systems for Unmanned Platforms
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