Optimal resource management algorithm for unmanned aerial vehicle missions in hostile territories

Abstract

In this paper, an optimal distribution algorithm for a large group of heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicles is developed. A typical unmanned aerial vehicle cooperative control in a battlefield can be categorized as a hierarchical system that is usually composed of several levels, and the decision making step, or the resource management step, is the main focus of this paper. In the resource management step, the factors to be decided are the proper number and types of unmanned aerial vehicles that will be committed to each operational area to increase the overall performance of the entire group and achieve a successful mission accomplishment. A task assignment algorithm, which is the next level in the cooperative control hierarchy, may begin with a higher chance of success when the number and types of resources are given correctly by the resource management step. This research suggests an optimal resource management algorithm for operations in various combat or civilian missions by solving an integer linear programming problem. A Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) mission is considered as the main example in this paper. Finally, the algorithm is supported with number of verifications and numerical simulations in various SEAD mission cases.