Versatile Integrated Planner and Router

"OR Concepts Applied (ORCA) will implement a software componentcalled the Versatile Integrated Planner and Router (VIPR). VIPRhas been designed to provide force level planning and sortielevel routing for air vehicles with a focus on unmanned aircraftperforming surveillance missions. VIPR will leverage technologyfrom the existing ORCA Planning and Utility System (OPUS) bymaking use of a commercially available application programmerinterface. A major innovation will be integrating VIPR with theNavy's Tactical Control Station and the PMA 263 TCS Testbed. Asecond innovation increases UAV autonomy by driving the VIPRcomponent with health and status information from an aircraftFailure Management System.BENEFITS: The Versatile Integrated Planner and Router (VIPR) will benefit the Navy by providing mission planning tools for unmanned aircraft and by increasing the potential for autonomous vehicle operations. The technologyembodied by VIPR includes algorithms for force level allocation of aircraft to mission objectives as well as individual sortie planning to achieve mission goals while avoiding threats. With the Navy's guidance, ORCA technology can play a role in adding touav and other mission planning capabilities. We plan to merge our VIPR technologies with the Tactical Control Station (TCS) suite of tools and to make it part of the next generation Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) - a collaborative program of the USAir Force, Navy, Mari