Multi-Agent Management System (MAMS) for Air-Launched, Unmanned Vehicles

The main goal of this work is to design, implement, and demonstrate a guidance and mission planning toolbox for air-launched, unmanned systems, such as guided dropsondes, sonobuoys, or surveillance aircraft, with the primary goal of enabling users to more effectively achieve mission goals by enabling multi-agent interaction and cooperation. Typical missions that will benefit from the MAMS include those where multiple unmanned vehicles are launched from one or more mother aircraft: for example atmospheric research missions making use of many guided dropsondes, missions distributing a fleet of sonobuoys, or surveillance missions requiring multiple UAVs to patrol a given area. As new vehicles are introduced to the environment (launched from the mother aircraft), or as new areas of interest arise, the MAMS will utilize a distributed network method for adjusting the fleet vehicles' trajectories to maximize the mission effectiveness.