Design of a Graphical Interface for Managing Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This proposal describes the design and creation of an interface for controlling multiple UAVs in a real-time situation. Named the Uninhabited Air Vehicle Management Interface (UAVMI), it is centered on a 3-dimensional graphical representation of theoperational geographic area. The operator is able to move a 3D cursor around within this geographic volume, selecting groups, paths, and targets in 3D space. This Phase II proposal describes a highly commercializable interface for training operators tocontrol multiple UAVs in a combat situation. Coupled with the latest off-the-shelf input and output hardware, the software will be an intuitive, real-time, graphical, 3D environment that enhances situation awareness as much as possible without perceptualoverload. This system will also be fully compatible with the Mixed Initiative Control for Automa-teams (MICA) Open Experimental Platform (OEP) multiple UAV scenario system. The interface will allow the user to essentially reach into the virtualbattlefield/airspace to control swarms of UAV.