Automation

WOW! What an interesting study on automation over the past few days. Many discussions between peers and a lot of interesting ideas that were truly thought provoking. The idea that automated killer UAS could spring up really puts advancements in the field into focus and makes you ask the question, "where is this heading?". Personally the speech by Daniel Suarez was just a story. As a science fiction writer he knows how to weave a tale, but some of his points were legitimate and I am certain we will a few key points of his come to light.
One thing is for sure, automated systems are not going anywhere and are only improving. To that point I wrote on a automatic take off and landing system developed by Northrop Grumman. It is an interesting project they are working on and it is nearing completion. Here is what I found:

Automatic Takeoff and Landing

Abstract
Automatic takeoff and landings (ATOL) are a great asset to UAS and manned aircraft as they have to potential to reduce accident rates and save valuable equipment. While many systems are still in research and development, and much of the information pertaining to ATOL has not been released to the general public, there is one system of note that has been ground-breaking. The ATOL system developed by Northrop Grumman is being used in both the X-47B unmanned system, as well as F/A-18 hornet.
Analysis
The U.S. Navy is using flight control software designed for the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Carrier Demonstration Program. The purpose of the program which was awarded to Northrop Grumman in 2007 was to produce autonomous aircraft that were to be used to demonstrate the first ever carrier-based launches and recoveries by “…low-observable relevant unmanned aircraft (Northrop Grumman, 2014).” The X-47B uses GPS rather than radar based guidance to execute the automated commands. The system does not rely on a remote pilot, it is given instructions and it executes them autonomously. The technology found in the X-47B is also being tested in F/A-18 Hornets. The aircraft has successfully landed by its self on the deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) using the X-47B flight control software (DefenseTech, 2011). It should be noted that there was no ground controller as is common in many UAS, rather the aircraft carriers air traffic control (ATC) sends a command to the system and the aircraft enters the landing pattern, “…and execute the landing all on its own; the same way a piloted jet would (DefenseTech, 2011). The aircraft not being piloted remotely actually uses flight rules placed by ATC to execute landing instructions. The automated system uses GPS data transmitted over Rockwell Collins’ Tectical Targeting Network Technology. The GPS system allows for 360-degree coverage around the ship, a vast improvement over older radar based automatic systems which had limited coverage around the stern of the carrier. Additionally, the GPS/Rockwell Collins system allows for multiple aircraft to be controlled at a time, while no exact numbers are given, it is stated by NAVAIR officials that the technology allows for more control over the radar based systems. The GPS system also allows for manual input in case there is a need to abort a landing, DefenseTech stated, “In the final phase of the approach, the LSO can even order the jet to wave off using his terminal that has been modified to communicate with an unmanned jet, according to NAVAIR officials.”
Summery
ATOL is a valuable asset to UAS and manned aircraft. The addition of this particular Northrop Grumman system, which is designed specifically with aircraft carrier landings in mind, will make the difficult task of carrier landing easier for both manned and unmanned aircraft. The cost savings, and more importantly the human factor benefits being developed will save lives and guide future technologies. This technology has been recognized by Popular Mechanics through their Breakthrough Innovator Award. The award recognizes positive innovations and Popular Mechanics said it selected the X-47B because it “…is the first UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to land safely on the deck of an aircraft carrier without a human pilot. Its technology may lead to more accurate autopilot systems in private and commercial aircraft, as well as safer self-driving cars.”
ATOL is yet another step in making UAS safe, it is a positive step toward proving safety and reliability in UAS to the defense and private sectors and should help usher in their eventual implementation into the national airspace system.

References:
Reed, John (2014). Navy One Step Closer To UAV Carrier Ops (2011). DEFENSETECH, July
7, 2011. Retrieved from: http://defensetech.org/2011/07/07/navy-one-step-closer-to-uav-carrier-ops/
Northrop Grumman Corporation (2014). Capabilities – X-47B UCAS (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/X47BUCAS/Pages/default.aspx
Northrop Grumman Corporation (2014). Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Catapult X-47B From
Carrier Into History Books (2013). Media Resources News releases, May 14, 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsarchive/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=10032846