Scout Airfield Interdictor Flight Test: Coordinated Rendezvous

  • Published
  • By Shelly Rich
  • Munitions
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Florida --  Air Force Research Laboratory researchers completed a successful flight test of the Scout challenge test beds. The test's goal was to direct two test beds to search tactical areas of interest and later attack a stationary target simultaneously. The Scout problem gives guidance researchers an opportunity to evaluate new algorithms and technology in a challenging flight demonstration environment. It is also used to draw expertise from several guidance and airframe development teams in order to spark innovation and foster better understanding of promising research topics. The recent test scenario included two Osprey weapon test beds, each integrated by in-house teams, along with a short video clip for documentation.

Scout test bed control occurs via FalconViewTM, a graphical user interface that enables operators to manage two weapons--and possibly many more--with only a few mouse clicks. Areas of interest and targets display on a map, and operators can search and/or attack these items simultaneously. Each autonomous action of the Scout test beds uses algorithms developed by guidance researchers. Creation of the algorithm for searching tactical areas of interest occurred via the Scout team's collaboration with the US Air Force Academy, whereas the method for coordinating simultaneous target strike by two weapons emerged from the team's work with Auburn University. Meanwhile, an in-house team composed of civilian and military engineers developed the avionics processor and associated software, which includes a custom Kalman filter design.

Two major milestones await the Scout challenge effort. The capabilities needed both for pitching the test beds over in order to hit a target and for prosecuting moving targets remain on the project roadmap. Significant technical challenges lay ahead. Regardless, the lessons learned from the Scout project will pay substantial dividends in the future. The next step beyond Scout is Sniper 6.3, a program that will build upon the expertise and facilities acquired during Scout.