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Multi-Agent Software for Airspace Control in the Combat Zone

AGENTFLY software is part of a computer-based system technology that will enhance airspace operation, providing ever-increasing support to personnel without freeing them from the ultimate responsibility. AGENTFLY features distributed coordination mechanisms based on collective decision-making and knowledge sharing, agent architecture, and specific agents responsible for data collection/ updating and planning/scheduling tasks, and the required visualization technology.

A multi-agent system, AGENTFLY offers the following features:

  1. Mathematical modeling of the “big picture” in the functional domain, spatial domain, and time domain, utilizing various practical aspects of the air operation planning process such as types of manned and unmanned air vehicles and their unclassified characteristics, types of hazards, types of targets, existing practices, and safety considerations.
  2. Numerical solution of the particular subsets of the airspace control problem and coordination of local, independently obtained solutions, resulting in conflict-free, long-term and short-term plans and schedules.
  3. Continuous data acquisition addressing the dynamics of the battlefield, status of the aircraft, and weather, facilitating the ongoing, iterative solution process driven by continuously updated databases.
  4. Implementation of the physical realities of the problem in the individual software agents capable of negotiation leading to a numerical solution of the planning, conflict resolution, and execution tasks.
  5. Incorporation of a system that is flexible, capable of ongoing incorporation of human expertise presented in formalized and intuitive fashion, and upgradeable by inclusion of new rules, considerations, and conditions.
  6. The resultant system offers advanced visualization and utilizes advanced graphics and graphic interfaces, making it user friendly.

Successful completion of this project prompted a study of the relevance and applicability of the developed technology to FAA plans that include further development of computer support systems for air traffic controllers.

This work was done by Victor A. Skormin of Advanced Technical Concepts for the Air Force Research Laboratory. AFRL-0129

Topics:
Architecture Computer software and hardware Data Acquisition Imaging and visualization Military vehicles and equipment Optics People and personalities Personnel Software Vehicles
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Document cover
Multi-Agent Technology For Airspace Control In The Combat Zone

(reference AFRL-0129) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Defense Tech Briefs Magazine

    This article first appeared in the October, 2009 issue of Defense Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 3 No. 5).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document titled "Multi-Agent Technology for Airspace Control in the Combat Zone" is a Final Technical Report published by the Air Force Research Laboratory in January 2009. It addresses the challenges of airspace control in combat environments, emphasizing the need for advanced decision-making systems that can adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

    The report begins with an abstract and overview, outlining the significance of effective airspace management in military operations. It highlights the complexities involved in air traffic control, particularly in combat zones where the dynamics of airspace can shift quickly due to various factors, including enemy actions and environmental changes.

    A key focus of the report is the application of multi-agent systems (MAS) in airspace control. These systems consist of multiple autonomous agents that can communicate and collaborate to achieve common goals. The document details the specifics of the airspace control problem, existing practices in air traffic control, and the potential benefits of implementing multi-agent planning and execution processes.

    The report is structured into several sections, including data acquisition, initial planning, deconfliction, and flight execution. It discusses the importance of acquiring relevant information and the methods of deconfliction to ensure safe and efficient air operations. The authors emphasize the need for systems that can accommodate new rules and conditions, presenting human expertise in a formalized and intuitive manner.

    Implementation aspects are also covered, with a focus on the AgentFly system developed by the Gerstner Laboratory. The report outlines the testing and validation processes for this system, as well as its potential interface with existing software used by air traffic control authorities.

    Finally, the document discusses the relevance of the proposed multi-agent technology to the plans of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), suggesting that such innovations could enhance airspace management not only in combat scenarios but also in civilian air traffic control.

    In summary, this report presents a comprehensive exploration of multi-agent technology as a solution for improving airspace control in combat zones, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making, safety, and efficiency in complex and dynamic environments.

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