US AFRL tests MuSICA software

8th May 2015 - 14:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The US Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) has completed a round of flight tests of the Multiple Sensor Integrated Conflict Avoidance (MuSICA) standard collision avoidance software.

The tests conducted on the Northrop Grumman-led Multiple Intruder Autonomous Avoidance (MIAA) programme demonstrate the maturity of the Department of Defense's (DoD) MuSICA software.

The MIAA programme is an AFRL applied research and advanced development programme that is developing and demonstrating Sense and Avoid (SAA) technology to provide UAS with the ability to automatically detect and avoid collisions with other airspace users.

The flight tests used a Learjet programmed to fly like an autonomous Global Hawk UAS while equipped with a SAA system. The flight test configuration included updated MuSICA software that incorporated the definition of 'well-clear' recently defined by the DoD Science and Research Panel and modified by RTCA SC-228 to automatically manoeuvre the jet with sufficient margin to remain well clear of other airborne traffic.

Paul Schaeffer, programme manager for airborne SAA, air force, said: 'The MIAA programme evolved from concept into a successful SAA hardware demonstration.

'I am pleased that MuSICA was able to positively execute and maintain the RTCA SC-228 definition of 'well-clear' with single and multiple cooperative and non-cooperative Federal Aviation Administration-supplied aircraft. This multi-levelled partnership team transformed research and development standards that are already benefiting our nation.'

RQ-4 Global Hawk