Steve Luxion

As part of evaluating whether and under what terms uninhabited aircraft systems (UASs) will fly in controlled airspace, the applicability of existing FAA regulations and guidance to UAS certification must be determined. We performed a cognitive work analysis (CWA) to identify human-machine interface (HMI) requirements for safe UAS control so they could be compared with relevant regulations and guidance. Data included pilots’ accounts of past critical events supplemented with observations of… Show more

As part of evaluating whether and under what terms uninhabited aircraft systems (UASs) will fly in controlled airspace, the applicability of existing FAA regulations and guidance to UAS certification must be determined. We performed a cognitive work analysis (CWA) to identify human-machine interface (HMI) requirements for safe UAS control so they could be compared with relevant regulations and guidance. Data included pilots’ accounts of past critical events supplemented with observations of UAS operations, mishap report summaries, and subject matter expert critiques. Data were used to identify inadequacies in information, feedback, planning support, resource access, and controls across ten flight events. Recurrent, cross-cutting inadequacies were identified as systemic HMI design risks to safe UAS control. Six HMI design risks are described in this paper. All six relate to constraints imposed by characteristics of UAS operations. Risk mitigation may call for new HMI frameworks, strategies, and concepts. Show less

Abstract
- Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) have become an integral part in military operations. Currently they are critical in reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and combat missions. However, civilian operations are stunted due to restrictions to specific airspaces. Research was conducted to
evaluate the Human Machine Interface (HMI) of UASs to analyze the ability for safe operation in the National Airspace System (NAS). More so, to evaluate a main vulnerability; lost link.… Show more

Abstract
- Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) have become an integral part in military operations. Currently they are critical in reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and combat missions. However, civilian operations are stunted due to restrictions to specific airspaces. Research was conducted to
evaluate the Human Machine Interface (HMI) of UASs to analyze the ability for safe operation in the National Airspace System (NAS). More so, to evaluate a main vulnerability; lost link. The authors collected complex scenarios from ten experienced pilots through interviews, naturalistic observations and subject matter reviews to discover main issues regarding lost link. Data was evaluated using cognitive task analyses and gap analyses to compare with the current manned regulations.

The results conveyed four functional goals including: pre-mission building and entering the emergency return profile, updating the lost link profile, detecting lost link and responding to lost link. The paper concludes with vulnerabilities of each goal along with corresponding recommendations. Show less

Growing civil demands for uninhabited aircraft systems (UASs) are creating pressure to determine minimum design standards and required capabilities for UAS ground control stations (GCSs). This panel will discuss recent and ongoing research initiatives, regulatory guidance, and lessons learned from military UAS operations and mishap reports to shed light on the potential for GCS designs to support safe and non-disruptive UAS operations in the national airspace system (NAS). As part of this… Show more

Growing civil demands for uninhabited aircraft systems (UASs) are creating pressure to determine minimum design standards and required capabilities for UAS ground control stations (GCSs). This panel will discuss recent and ongoing research initiatives, regulatory guidance, and lessons learned from military UAS operations and mishap reports to shed light on the potential for GCS designs to support safe and non-disruptive UAS operations in the national airspace system (NAS). As part of this discussion, panelists will present GCS design challenges related to the preservation of NAS safety and traffic flow and will suggest strategies for overcoming them. Show less

Introduction.
Frequently, there are stories published that advocate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as the way of the future. These stories espouse how much cheaper and safer these unpiloted drones are for conducting military missions over their manned counterparts. Most visionary and conceptional work focuses on technology. However....the success of these "unmanned" systems depends more on the men and women that provide the leadership, testing, training, operation, and maintenance of… Show more

Introduction.
Frequently, there are stories published that advocate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as the way of the future. These stories espouse how much cheaper and safer these unpiloted drones are for conducting military missions over their manned counterparts. Most visionary and conceptional work focuses on technology. However....the success of these "unmanned" systems depends more on the men and women that provide the leadership, testing, training, operation, and maintenance of these systems, than the technology itself.

The major focus on technology and cost comes at the expense of other factors that are at least as important. The current emphasis on issues such as computer processing speed, levels of UAS autonomy, sensor technology, and communications architectures can diminish the importance of other critical issues including the manning and organizational structure required to support and advance "unmanned"systems. Show less

Introduction.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) of all types and sizes are proving their worth everyday in operations around the world. From hurricane relief in New Orleans to combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are extremely flexible. They can be designed and built for small reconnaissance ground-teams, for strategic level commanders and any level between. Besides being flexible, they are also cost effective. Compared to other assets, UAS can complete their missions at… Show more

Introduction.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) of all types and sizes are proving their worth everyday in operations around the world. From hurricane relief in New Orleans to combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are extremely flexible. They can be designed and built for small reconnaissance ground-teams, for strategic level commanders and any level between. Besides being flexible, they are also cost effective. Compared to other assets, UAS can complete their missions at relatively lower costs. The tremendous advances in technology and the exploding numbers of UAS offer even greater opportunities for aerospace power. But, unless these systems are properly integrated into a comprehensive command and control system, UAS will not meet their full potential. Show less

Abstract
In 1992, the US Navy shifted its doctrinal concept of warfighting on the open seas to employing naval power in the littorals as part of a joint “sea-air-land” team. The Navy called its new doctrine “From the Sea….” For airpower, the service’s focus was on providing control and firepower to the littorals short of putting forces ashore.

Historical analysis of air operations in the 1990s and theoretical studies indicate that this doctrine fails to tap airpower’s full potential… Show more

Abstract
In 1992, the US Navy shifted its doctrinal concept of warfighting on the open seas to employing naval power in the littorals as part of a joint “sea-air-land” team. The Navy called its new doctrine “From the Sea….” For airpower, the service’s focus was on providing control and firepower to the littorals short of putting forces ashore.

Historical analysis of air operations in the 1990s and theoretical studies indicate that this doctrine fails to tap airpower’s full potential and indicates that the Navy needs to expand its doctrine to include an ability to conduct and sustain air operations “from the beach.” Interviews with carrier aviators, including a current Commander-in-Chief and former Deputy Coalition Forces Air Component Commander along with operational and academic study helped determine the impetus for conducting naval tactical air operations
“from the beach,” the requirements to do it effectively, and the present shortfalls and limitations to such actions.

Despite logistical impediments, the concept of carrier aircraft conducting operations “from the beach” can increase the power, flexibility, and efficiency of naval airpower. However, to take advantage of airpower’s latent potential, interoperability at the logistical support level must be improved. Expanding the “From the Sea…” doctrine to include the ability to conduct and sustain operations “from the beach,” when appropriate, will drive the necessary changes in training, logistics, and operations. In turn, this change would serve to improve our nation’s ability to conduct joint operations. Show less