The simulation of the human-machine partnership in UCAV operation

Nowadays the interaction between human and Unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) through mission planning and control station is constrained by levels of autonomy of UCAVs, international legal obligation, communication and human cognitive behavior, so the flexible operational relationship is optimal This paper proposes an integrated architecture composed of human, intelligent aiding system on control station, and intelligent system on-board UCAV. Based on variable levels of automation of tasks and subtasks, the architecture adjusts cognitive aids for operators and levels of autonomy of UCAVs, and makes it possible that single operator surveillances and controls several vehicles simultaneously. Variable authorization management of tasks is the key of simulation in a scenario which single operator surveillances and controls three UCAVs to perform a Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) mission. At last this paper describes the simulation results by several operators in three operational relationships: the flexible operational relationship, high levels of autonomy and maximum manual. The results demonstrate the flexible operational relationship is optimal.