UAV Sensor Controller for Manned Aircraft

The introduction of UAVs to the battlefield has both revolutionized modern warfare and presented new challenges for manned-unmanned teaming capabilities. Therefore, the Army needs an innovative sensor controller interface that would allow the operation of sophisticated UAV sensor systems from manned aircraft by US Army aircrew members. While sensitive joysticks can be used from ground control stations, the precision joystick type of control interface is unsuitable for use in a manned helicopter, such as the AH-64D Longbow Apache, during flight conditions due to the environmental vibration and distractions present. Thus, an improved Man-Machine Interface (MMI) is required, and there exists a compelling need for the development of a UAV sensor controller capable of operating a variety of UAV sensors. No system currently on the market meets all of these requirements. Therefore, MillenWorks is proposing to research and develop a new UAV sensor control interface that achieves all of these objectives.