Cooperative Operations in Urban Terrain Program Reaches Important Flight Test Milestone

  • Published
  • By Holly Jordan
  • AFRL/RB
WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL scientists achieved an important milestone in completing a successful flight test for the Cooperative Operations in Urban Terrain (COUNTER) program. The COUNTER project is an effort to provide situational awareness to special operations forces working in urban environments. The COUNTER team uses small and micro unmanned air vehicles (UAV) to perform surveillance and collect video telemetry for detecting possible threat targets in the urban terrain. During the test, conducted at the US Marine Corps Air/Ground Combat Center, a Vigilant Spirit Control Station operator sent three UAVs to inspect potential threat targets hidden in the facility's urban landscape. The UAVs collected video telemetry and transmitted the data back to the operator. This flight test represents the first time that three micro UAVs flew simultaneously (at respective altitudes of 75, 100, and 125 ft) under the control of a single operator.

The test also marks the first instance scientists have had to evaluate Automated Decision Logic capabilities for multiple in-flight UAVs. Automated Decision Logic enables an operator to instantly revisit a particular threat target given a set of predetermined conditions, such as how much fuel is remaining. These tests were successful, as were similar evaluations of automated search patterns and automated wind compensation. In order to demonstrate further applications of the COUNTER system, the researchers also performed perimeter surveillance missions, as well as missions in which multiple vehicles orbited a single point.

The flight test successfully merged all of the technologies developed under the COUNTER program over the last 3 years. As a result of the test, the COUNTER team was able to collect over 41 gigabytes of video telemetry, still photos, and other critical data. Air Force Special Operations Command provided operational insight into the COUNTER system, while AC-130 Gunship sensor operators controlled and evaluated the multiple UAV sensor video streams. During the test, each operator had the opportunity to employ the tools available for locating targets in urban areas.