Cadets are advancing unmanned aircraft systems technology
Cadet 1st Junhyung Park class tests the system of aircraft counter-confident of his Capstone team in the US Air Force Air Force Air Force and IT department on January 15, 2025. Cadet problem solving skills while they are putting research who supports who supports who supports research who supports who supports who supports who supports who supports research that supports war against war . (Us Air Force Photo by Dylan Smith)
By Randy Roughton
US Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
US Air Force Academy, colo. – Cadets of the US Air Force Academy Center for Search for unmanned aircraft systems Solve complex problems to shape the future of unmanned air vehicle technology. They demonstrate their skills in problem solving while conducting significant research to support war fighting. Their teamwork reflects real world operations where large expertise is crucial for the success of the mission.
“The Academy offers us unique opportunities to learn and apply our knowledge in class in real world missions,” said Junhyung Park, 1st class cadet. “Thanks to our research, we are becoming problems with problems and critical thinkers who can implement scalable and profitable solutions using available resources that adapt to unique circumstances.”
Cadets are the heart of innovation
Research focuses on three basic skills. First of all, to counter the technology of the unmanned air system; Second, simulate and test independent steering wheel algorithms for several unmanned platforms; And to focus on the fusion of the sensors. These areas provide cadets with practical experience in advanced technologies and prepare them to support and direct multidomatic operations.
“Cadet research is at the heart of the work of the center,” said Dr. Neil Rogers, director of the center. “In their Cuas work, the cadets not only speak of thinking of” beaten track “; They find solutions as if they did not know that the box exists. In each research partnership that we develop, the cadets are at the front and the center. We let them fight with their independent research for an extended period to find answers in a controlled environment before using it in the operational environment. »»
Counter unmanned aircraft systems
One objective is to develop methods to detect and mitigate threats posed by hostile or unauthorized drones. Cadets locate and identify a rogue drone via a low -profile ground radar. Based on the radar data, the Discovery drone launches and between a “followed” mode on the Drone Voyou to determine the intention of the target.
“This relevant training opportunity allows us to solve problems that have a direct impact on the Air Force mission,” said Park. “The team’s ability to accomplish the mission despite the unique challenges of the field tests is incredible. The test pushes the limits of our systems and motivates us to refine our algorithms to improve the robustness of the system in unforeseen circumstances. »»
Simulation and autonomous test for several unmanned air vehicles
The second basic competence focuses on the development of algorithms which allow a single operator to simultaneously control several unmanned air vehicles. This innovation improves efficiency and operational capacities in the field. These unmanned air vehicles are looking for, identify and follow various targets independently, improving operational efficiency and efficiency.
“Many people raise concerns about drone swarms, because now you can build them very much expensive,” said Rogers. “The question we are wondering is whether we were an opponent and we had access to so many drones – what would I do with them?” Then we think of potential behavior from this point of view. We simulate these behaviors with personalized software that allows us to order individual drones or drone swarms. »»
Cadets of the 1st Junhyung Park and Samuel Dutt class test the aircraft system against the current of their Capstone team in the US Air Force Academy Center for UNMANED Aircraft Systems on January 15, 2025. Angular stone projects like this Demonstrate the skills in solving cadets while they are carrying out research that has research that has research that supports war fights. (Us Air Force Photo by Dylan Smith)
Sensor fusion core jurisdiction
In the basic competence of the merger of the sensors, the cadets integrate data from various sensors to improve awareness of the situation and decision -making in real time. Building on a single sensor in complex operational environments can cause inaccurate or incomplete data. The merger of sensors reduces these limits by combining the entries of many types of sensors.
Cadet 1st class Kaitlyn Grimm, a Electrical and IT engineering Major with a robotics and minor autonomous systems, And his Capstone teammates are working to create a low -cost drone that could locate a radiofrequency issuing source.
“We have only one drone to work with, and we want it to find the target as quickly as possible, using different sensors to integrate and prioritize the data,” said Grimm. “Our team wants to understand how we want the controller to locate the source of radiofrequency emission. We also continuously think of the ethics of creating an autonomous drone to ensure that the drone cannot be used for malicious purposes or accidentally harm to someone. »»
Cadet research shapes future war
Cadets working at the center are at the forefront of innovation, because the role of unmanned systems continues to develop in the world’s military and civilian sectors. The Center for Research on Unmanned Air Systems is shaping the future of autonomous flight by ensuring that the nation maintains its technological advantage in air operations.
See more photos of the cadets Unmanned air systems center.