UAS and Manned Aircraft Autonomy

Describe the levels of automation and how they are applied to UAS operations.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a framework to describe and define the levels of automation (LoA) called Autonomy Levels for Unmanned Systems (ALFUS). This framework was created to define a standard definition on autonomous potential for all unmanned systems. To give an unmanned systems a designated LoA, there are a few aspects needed to be defined. According to Marshall et al., (2011) the first aspect is to define the mission complexity of the system and measure the difficulty level. The second aspect is the measure environmental complexity. The last aspect is to assess the levels of human interaction during the mission. Once those three items are defined, a LoA can be assigned but lacks accuracy due to the overall difficulty in defining the level of mission complexity.

Are there different considerations for manned versus UAS operations when it comes to UAS?

Automation, whether in manned or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations, requires preprogrammed system with repetitive technology. While the considerations between the two are somewhat different, they both require similar technology to provide for the automated capabilities.

Do you think that the aviation industry currently uses the appropriate amount, too little, or too much automation?

In my personal opinion I think the aviation industry currently uses the appropriate amount of automation based on the industries currently technology advances. However, there is room for the industry to advance the current technology to provide enhanced features.

Thanks,

EMW

 

Reference

Marshall, D., Barnhart, R., Hottman, S., Shappee, E., and Most, M. (2011). Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/lib/erau/reader.action?docID=1449438&ppg=118&query=#