Operational Considerations for Teaming Manned and Unmanned Helicopter

Abstract

“Manned-Unmanned Teaming” among others refers to the use of an unmanned, flying sensor. One use for this is as an integral part of air units’ flying systems. Secondly, it can be used as an independent, recessed robotic component during missions, even from far away and ahead of time. As part of the German R&T project “Manned- Unmanned Teaming” (MUM-T), Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH (ESG) was assigned the task of investigating these concepts and the options for their realization. The focus of the investigation was initial operation capability within a narrow time frame concentrating on German Army Aviation helicopters. The paper focuses on the results achieved by ESG and begins with a short project overview. In the main part a representative MUM-T mission based on a personnel recovery mission is presented. The mission was demonstrated by ESG in close cooperation with German Army Aviation Combat Development Division (Ger AAV CDD). Beside operational aspects, technical aspects will be discussed. The lecture will close with a short outlook on the next steps, bringing MUM-T missions into service.