Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036 - Defense ...

Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2011-2036
10.2.3 Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS)
MUM teaming is critical for the maritime environment. This is especially true for the
undersea domain where physics prevent man from safely performing tasks to the same fidelity.
There are many different aspects of MUM teaming for UMS that have been explored and
implemented in various degrees: long-endurance undersea gliders send data ashore and receive
human-initiated mission updates in near real-time; UUVs enable efficient port security, harbor
defense, and mine clearance operations through change detection and autonomous investigation
of mine-like objects; likewise, UUVs extend the footprint of manned hydrographic and
bathymetric survey platforms to gather higher volumes of data while enabling people to focus on
the tasks that require human oversight. Near-term enhancement, development and codification of
Water Space Management/Prevention of Mutual Interference (WSM/PMI) doctrine and
procedures will allow sophisticated collaboration between submarine or surface vessel operations
and unmanned assets for mission accomplishment. Given the inherent challenges of the
maritime environment, the future of MUM teaming will consist of multiple types of unmanned
systems (UUV, USV, UAV, UGV) used collaboratively with manned platforms to collect,
process, exploit, and disseminate data. An enduring and integrated net of undersea sensors
partnered with USVs or UAVs for communication and controlled from a common command
center will revolutionize how undersea missions are conducted by bringing transparency to an
otherwise opaque battlespace. All maritime missions will benefit from reduced timelines and
improved accuracy of information from which the combat commander can make engagement
decisions.
10.3 Problem Statement
While strides have been made over the past decade to further enhance MUM teaming
capabilities, several challenges persist that will continue to affect the amount of time it takes this
technology to transition from the invention and adaptation phase to the acceptance phase. This
timing will also directly affect the development of MUM teaming TTPs, which in turn will
dictate the speed of MUM teaming from CONOPS into DoD doctrine.
Some of these challenges are technical. They range from near-term issues such as the limited
ability to integrate and deconflict various radio frequencies across a secure communications
network, to far-term issues such as the ability of one person to control multiple UASs and UGVs
simultaneously while flying his or her primary aircraft. This ability requires a high degree of
hardware and software interoperability, scalable autonomy, human system interfaces (HSIs), new
collaborative control algorithms, and network mission tools. The platforms must do significant
levels of onboard processing to not only reduce bandwidth required, but also collaborate with
other unmanned vehicles without operator
input. Other technical challenges result
from the need to make tradeoffs between
size, weight, and power limitations on the
various platforms and the desire for
increased performance and capability. One
of the biggest potential challenges to
MUM operations stems from the Services’
desire to introduce swarms (large numbers
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