Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096 1 High Altitude (HA) Functionality in OneSAF OneSAF Users.

1Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

High Altitude (HA) Functionality in OneSAF

OneSAF Users Conference

Presented by:John Morash

SMDC/ARSTRAT

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HA Agenda

HA Airship Task HA Airship Research Findings Proof of Concept (PoC)

Design Decisions Test Concepts Testing Results Demo Project Status Actions Needed

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HA Tasking Authorities

AR 10-87 (Sep 07)12-1. Missionb. USASMDC/ARSTRAT is the Army specified

proponent for space, high altitude, and ground-based midcourse defense (GMD); and develops and transitions technology and provides acquisition support to assigned fields.

•TRADOC Pamphlet 525-7-4, Army Space CCP (October 2006): “Systems operating in the near-space region have the potential to provide rapid, on demand, dedicated capabilities augmenting strategic space assets”

“Supported commander and Army proponent for space, high altitude, and ground-based midcourse defense.”

Army Campaign Plan Change 5 (05 April 2007)

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HA Task Process Approach

1. Conduct research2. High Altitude Airship (HAA) model will be adapted from current OneSAF

UAV/Satellite model with the following focuses:• MOBILITY:

Ascent-get on station (Assumed at scenario start) Power characteristics and behaviors On-station drift patterns and behaviors Off station or mobility modeling Altitude, speed, on station time

• Payload: Payload modeling (Camera and/or Comms) HA message set development (OneSAF observation reports) Comm frequency, etc. parameters Persistence on/off (based on power consumption modeling)

3. Develop the code, test cases, and associated scenarios. 4. Develop KAKE Document Set.*5. Develop Use Cases*6. Test and create Handover Package*

* Note: These tasks not yet completed

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Existing HA Airship Types

Airship Type Program Lead Payload Power Altitude

HAALockheed Martin/ SMDC

50 lbs

1.7% of weight

50 Watts 65- 70,000 Ft

ISIS DARPA30-40% of weight

(Built inside)400 watts 70,000

HiSentenialSMDC Technical Center

50 lbs 50 watts 67,00 Ft

HALE Lindstrand (ESA) 600kg 80 watts 70,000Ft

Data collected from various on-line sources

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OCDL HA Airship Research Findings

• Researched Areas:• Types of Airships/Airship Programs• Weather at Higher Altitudes• Airship Payloads• Airship Power

• Operational Facts:• Airships are characterized as untethered and are equipped with propulsion systems that

allow them to travel from site to site, as required for the mission. • Generally, an Airship will be placed in the Stratosphere with the following conditions:

Above precipitative weather. Low atmospheric absorption (Helium Loss). Above FAA air traffic domain. Mean atmospheric temperature: - 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Mean wind below 20 knots, occasional peak above 100 knots.

• Military experiments and testing showed: HA’s value as an ISR sensor platform (EO/IR and MTI). Potential for increased value as a communications platform.

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OCDL HA Airship Research Findings cont’d

Additional Operational Facts:• Powered by Photovoltaic and fuel cells.• When camera dependent, an airship has a 700 square mile target detection range, with a

boresight of 90 degrees, and will be stationary. • Low power transmit and receive, therefore they have low signatures—acoustic, IR, RF.• Eliminates fuel dependency creating longer flight durations. • Eliminates need for more aircraft sorties plus payloads with continuous on-station keeping. • Fewer take offs and landings than fixed wing aircraft. • Consumes less resources to deploy and utilize. • Operating infrastructure costs potentially low relative to other forms of aviation.• Requires an open unobstructed launch/recovery area. • HA airship volumes are relatively large, which provides a potential for very large, internal

antennas.• High–strength fabric to minimize puncture and hull weight and highly survivable. • Upon hasty unit relocation, airship is expendable and payload is recoverable via

parachute.

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HA Airship Perspective

Sea Levell

12 km (39.3 kft)

20 km (65.6 kft)

25 km (82 kft)

Note:• Airship operating altitudes are above weather altitudes. • Object altitude location in perspective provide good representation of real altitudes

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(304.5 sm)

(130.5 sm)

(217.5 sm)

(261.0 sm)

(174.0 sm)

(87 sm)

Line of Sight Distance to Horizon vs Altitude

HA airships are capable of ascending to higher altitudes and increase the line of sight to the horizon. This figure shows how the line of sight is increased as altitude increases. In a typical environment, line of sight (for communication or surveillance) is limited to less than 23-29 miles. Line of sight can be increased to over 100 miles by ascending to less than 10,000 feet, an altitude easily attainable by the aerostats available today. It also demonstrates the value of moving to higher altitudes since line of sight can be increased by ascending to or above 60,000 feet.

Increased LOS starts at altitude of 10k feet

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Wind Effects on Station Keeping

Station Keeping

• Wind variability (gusts, fronts)

• Propulsion system size, power

• Attitude control for low drag

• Standard GPS with inertial navigation0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 50 100 150 200 250

Alt

itude

(kft

)

Wind Velocity (knots)

Vandenburg AFBNASA TM4511

Probability (%)50 75 90 99

Station Keeping

• Wind variability (gusts, fronts)

• Propulsion system size, power

• Attitude control for low drag

• Standard GPS with inertial navigation0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 50 100 150 200 2500 50 100 150 200 250

Alt

itude

(kft

)

Wind Velocity (knots)

Vandenburg AFBNASA TM4511

Probability (%)50 75 90 99

The chart above shows maximum wind velocities from the earth’s surface to an altitude of 140,000 feet. The chart does not depict wind direction, which varies considerably within the bands shown. The higher wind velocities shown between 10,000 and 60,000 feet are not prevalent at all latitudes. The chart shows the altitudes best-suited for station-keeping. Hence the most energy-efficient altitudes for station-keeping are either low or between 65,000 to 70,000 feet.

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Potential HA Uses in Battle

• Extended Range Communications Network Relay:• Enable Battle Command• GPS Enhancement for Anti-Jamming (GPS Pseudo Satellite)• Communication’s Node

• Imagery:• Air/Ground Moving Target Indicator• Regional and Wide Area Persistent Surveillance • Threat Tracking of Urban Combat Zones• Targeting Opportunities• Improved Situational Awareness

• Alternate Space Asset:• Improved Asset Utilization• Airspace Management• TBM and Cruise Missile Detection

Free-Floater (Balloon)

Station Keeping LTA (Airship)Station Keeping HTA (UAV)

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OCDL HA Design Decisions

Airship Characteristics (Default):• Development: Team modified UAV/Satellite models in OneSAF to save time/cost.

• Launch and Recovery: Airships have an adequate amount of helium to sustain them for a minimum of 30 days. Most OneSAF scenarios are usually a few days with all players active on the playboard. We model the HA as starting on station and do not model launch or recovery.

• Station-keeping: The HA airship remains on station in access of 30 days. The airship will maintain position at a designated location until directed to relocate by the GCS.

• Altitude: HA airships are emplaced at an altitude located between 60-70,000 ft.

• Vulnerability: Vulnerability is not modeled in this PoC version (Weather, Hostiles).

• Ground Command Station (GCS): Comm modeling in the PoC HA assumes perfect comms (OneSAF dependent – no terrain/weather degradation) to the GCS

• Power: Will be a user selectable attribute that may effect near max-load payloads over a long mission life (Airship power compromises sensor persistence). Payloads exceeding power capacities not modeled.

• Drift: Random drift will occur which will require the airship to utilize it’s power to run the motor (uses x power) in order to relocate to it’s assigned on-station position. In OneSAF wind is random and is not modeled. Therefore, we will model a random wind drift based on a user input. This will effect power usage on board and potentially sensor persistence.

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OCDL HA Design Decisions (cont)

Initial Payload Characteristics:• Payloads: Two types of payload modeled: EO sensor and communications. • Payload Boresight: Emplacement of airship and HA coverage, using a camera, will be

an area located above GCS with a 90 degree boresight. Airship will maintain a geo-stationary position with random drift and regular drift correction. The camera boresight on the ground will be reflective of the random drift and drift correction.

• Surveillance: Sensor will provide persistent surveillance with a observation report downloaded to the GCS on a 5 minute interval.

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PoC Initial HA Requirements

SR# Type Description Ver

ific

atio

n

CommentsGeneral

HAA_SR_0001 DCHigh Alitude (HA) Airship OneSAF capability shall collect data for verification and validation of HA airship Models. I

Airship AttributesHAA_SR_0002 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a High Altitude (HA) airship DHAA_SR_0003 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a HA airship between an altitude of 60-70,000 ft. DHAA_SR_0004 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a HA airship in a geo-stationary position. DHAA_SR_0005 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a Ground Command Station (GCS). DHAA_SR_0006 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a direct communication LOS from GCS to HA airship. DHAA_SR_0007 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship control from GCS. D Future ReleaseHAA_SR_0008 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship emplacement. D Future ReleaseHAA_SR_0009 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship survivability. D Future Release

Payload

HAA_SR_0010 OHAA OneSAF capability shall model up to to two payload types ( a communications and/or sensor devices). D

HAA_SR_0011 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor activation. DHAA_SR_0012 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor target acquisitions and generate observation reports. DHAA_SR_0013 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor mission duration. DHAA_SR_0014 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model sensor degradation. DHAA_SR_0015 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model sensor data transfer. DHAA_SR_0016 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model single point communications. DHAA_SR_0017 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model payload recovery. D Future Release

DriftingHAA_SR_0019 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model random drift DHAA_SR_0020 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model drift correction. D

Power BudgetHAA_SR_0021 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model power as airship propulsion (ie substitue fuel). DHAA_SR_0022 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model power as a regenerative source. DHAA_SR_0023 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model power daily loss DHAA_SR_0024 O HAA OneSAF capability shall model power with payload use. D

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PoC HAA Parameters

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PoC Testable HA Use Cases

• Airship Mobility (Staying on Station) • Propulsion (Drift Correction):

Algorithm has been implemented and tested• Survivability: Assumed to be invulnerable

• Ground Command Station (GCS)• LOS to Airship Testing: Not effective due to Perfect Comms• Airship Control: Currently controlled by simulation controller• Sensor Activation: Implemented by “Conduct Persistent Surveillance” behavior

• Sensor Payload• EO (Camera): Implemented via reuse and modification of the existing ISR models• Persistent Surveillance: Continuous observation, sends reports every 5 minutes• Power Sharing/Budgets: NA (Only one sensor being used)• Communications Network: Acts as a point-to-point relay.• Repeater/Radio/Network Support: NA (Can be implement as communication

network)

• Power Budget (Stressing)• Daily/Payload Usage (Between Airship & Payload): Power drain implemented for

mobility• Regenerative Source: Rechargeable fuel cell increases and decreases depending on

mobility state

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HA Scenario: Airship Behaviors

Scenario Description:• Battlefield Commanders have always sought to see farther or “over the next hill.”• HA airships can provide the ability to carry ISR, EW, and communications-relay systems to

greater altitudes than can presently be reached for tactical units.• Potential ISR, EW, and communications-relay payloads for HA airships have become lighter

and less power demanding than earlier designs.

Objectives:• Scenario will allow testing of:

• Measure Blue Force impacts; collect extended Battlefield FOV “metrics” once real airship parameters/characteristics are plugged in.

• Scenario with Airship: Expected reduced Battlefield impacts; greater FOV.• Scenario w/o Airship: Expected greater Battlefield impacts; smaller FOV.• Introduce Drift effects; power usage effects, persistence effects.

• Mini performance Scenario: Will allow testing of airship performance w/o payload or largeentity count impacting studies.

• Provide means of preparing test cases/procedures for verification of HA design requirements.

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HA Airship Scenario: Surveillance/ Comm Relay by Altitude

Altitude provides the ability to see and achieve line of sight over both urban and geographic terrain features. At altitude, an airship can provide communication connectivity to the Ground Control Station hidden by terrain and provide surveillance of threats, which might otherwise be hidden by the environment.

Red Force Recon

Blue Force GCS

Video/Comm Link

HAA

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HA Airship Hierarchy and Fuel Status

Power 100%

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HA Airship Fuel Cell Depletion on return to Station-Keeping

Power 74%

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HA Scenario: Observation Reporting

Observation Reports are sent at an interval of 5 minutes

22Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

Demonstration

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HA Test Findings To Date

• Forty Five test runs were conducted during this testing cycle. The following insights were noted:

• Weather and Ground effects are not available in OneSAF 2.1. When trying to obscure the ground effects with fog, dust, smoke, and cloud cover they would not take place in the PVD.

• The HAA was tested during night operations and it was concluded that night does effect HAA operations. The sensor on the Airship is an E/O camera. Night limits the objects seen by the camera and therefore the output of observation reports is ceased.

• The HAA drift has a One kilometer Outer Station-Keeping Radius (OSKR). The airship FOV is 31.4 miles in diameter (15.7 radius).

• The power being used by the rechargeable fuel cell is configurable. OneSAF does not allow for the adding of watts, etc, so a figure was inserted to allow for the gradual percentage degradation as power was consumed by the airship.

• The Inner Station-Keeping Radius (ISKR) was set to 250 meters to allow more time to recharge.

• Power for drift control can be used at anytime without being 100% recharged. This is a configurable parameter and needs real values. Currently, drift control is a function of station limits, not power availability.

• The system would experience lockup when trying to process a large number of entities when simulation time was increased. This is a OneSAF problem.

• The number of entities being reported is configurable, currently set for 100 for demo purposes.

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OCDL HA Project Status/Path Ahead

Collect HA characteristics Collect sensor/payload characteristics

and behaviors Use findings to write KAKE document

Develop use cases Develop test cases Develop Models Test scenarios Lock Down Design Requirements Integrate and test the model using

approved use/test cases Validate Parameters with Govt Build a final test plan Conduct final testing Build Handover package materials

Collected (Initial–Theoretical) Collected (Theoretical)

Working (Need Final Govt. Approved List)

In Review Working (Draft Form) Completed – will be refined Built – Refinements Initial Set Complete Working

TBD TBD TBD TBD

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Actions Required to Continue HAA Development

Requirements List Verified by Government• Real World Data for Airship Characteristics • Payload/Sensor Behavioral Data Requirements/Characteristics• Power Budgeting (Consumption vs Recharge Rate)• Power limits/conditions/consumption values• Drift management and control parameters

Doctrine/Military Missions described• Additional Use Cases• Additional Scenarios

Guidance on an actual wind models

Additional behaviors to be modeled • OSKR controls• Ascent & Descent (if launch/recovery is required)• Flight Operation (GCS control)

Please note: because HAAs are not yet fielded systems, parameter values have been/are difficult to obtain and development assumptions are subject to change – we need approved Government values

26Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

Questions?