UAS and Manned Aircraft Autonomy

UASs have become so useful due to their ability to do jobs that have been classified, too dull, dirty, and dangerous for humans. To be able to accomplish these tasks, UAS will have to fly autonomously, that is, fly without a human directly manipulating the flight systems inside the aircraft. However, the definition can be very vague. Many UAS missions still require humans to supervision and intervention, and most times, preprogram flight paths. For this reason, most UAS can be said to be automated. However, many UAS have are becoming autonomous with varying levels of autonomy. The levels of automation range from level 0 where the pilot has complete control of the UAS to Level 5, where the UAS has control of all flying operations and tasks. For a UAS to be deemed fully autonomous, the UAS will have to control itself under all circumstances with no human intervention. This includes full automation of all flying operations under any given conditions (Radovic, 2019).     

For automation, most aircraft use autopilot systems that the pilot can switch to especially during cruise altitudes. This autopilot mode is especially useful because humans generally need rest during long periods of the task. Airbus aircraft are integrated with a fly-by-wire technology that assists the pilot makes precise control inputs during highly dynamic maneuvers with large surface controls.  stabilize the aircraft and adjust the flying characteristics without the pilot's involvement and to prevent the pilot operating outside of the aircraft's safe performance envelope.                                                                                                                             

  However, just like many current autonomous systems, humans are still required to monitor autonomous systems and take control when necessary. Although equipped with fly-by-wire technology, the A320-214 Flight 1529 that got ditched into the Hudson was able to allow the pilot to assume control of the aircraft to successfully and safely ditch. For a UAS to be deemed fully autonomous, the UAS will have to control itself under all circumstances with no human intervention. This includes full automation of all flying operations under any given conditions (Radovic, 2019). AI can be applied to UAS automaton capabilities such as sense and avoid capabilities so the UAS can precisely determine the best course of action and maneuver to avoid a collision.

Reference

Radovic, M. (2019, March 11). DroneII. Retrieved from DroneLife: https://dronelife.com/2019/03/11/droneii-tech-talk-unraveling-5-levels-of-drone-autonomy/