Modeling of MAV/UAV Collaborative Combat Network Based on UAV Autonomous Level

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Manned Aerial Vehicle (MAV) complement each other, which make Manned/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MAV/UAV) collaborative combat become an important air combat mode in the future battlefield. However, it is challenging and uncertain to establish and evaluate the model of MAV/UAV collaborative combat formation due to the inconsistency of autonomous and intelligence level of UAVs. In this study, a new MAV/UAV collaborative combat network model based on complex network theory is presented. First, based on the existing control strategy and interaction mechanism, the architecture characteristics of collaborative combat formation of MAVs and UAVs in different level of autonomy are analyzed, and the mapping network structure is confirmed. Second, according to the characteristics of MAV/UAV collaborative combat formation, three kinds of complex network models are established to adapt to different UAV autonomous levels. Finally, the model proposed by the basic network measurements is applied to a case, and the visualization of the model is realized and the statistical characteristics of the network are estimated by using the static topology analysis. The established complex network model can further analyze the dynamic topology characteristics and robustness of manned/unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative operations.