Methodology of the preparation and planning the aerial reconnaissance of the operational-tactical depth with using the unmanned aircraft

Abstract

A generalized methodology for planning of the aerial reconnaissance for the general monitoring of the large areas to the operational-tactical depth is proposed. It is shown that when using unmanned aircraft such a task for them should be considered as extremal. To solve this task for purposes of security it is necessary to use unmanned aircraft that is capable of flying automatically, in radio silence mode. A reconnaissance flight must be performed with periodic intermediate landings. During intermediate landings, the on-board power sources of the unmanned aircraft must be replaced and the captured reconnaissance information must be withdrawn. The inspection of the terrain and a selection of sites for take-offs and landings must be made prior to the start of aerial reconnaissance planning. The methodology of planning operational-tactical aerial reconnaissance consists of three parts. The first part includes the choice of the type of unmanned aircraft on the basis of its flight technical parameters and an assessment of its technical capability to ensure the performance of a non-stop drone flight over a distance of twice the depth of reconnaissance under current climatic conditions. The reduction of discharge capacity of onboard batteries at low temperatures is taken into account. The effect of wind on flight duration is taken into account. The calculation of the wind effect is performed graphically. The second part includes an assessment of the capabilities the optoelectronic systems of the unmanned aircraft to provide the necessary resolution of the captured materials while observing a safe flight altitude. The third part includes the development of a detailed reconnaissance flight route, the calculation of the need for energy resources, and the development of a reconnaissance flight program. The technique allows determining the required number of intermediate landings for replacing batteries, justifying the need to select one or several places for takeoffs and landings, develop a flight route map indicating intermediate landings, calculate the timing for main and auxiliary actions, calculate the required number the replaceable sets of batteries, develop the hourly schedule of executing reconnaissance.