15th ICCRTS

Connectivity does not automatically provide NEC, but there is no NEC without connectivity. The integration of UAV Control Stations (UCSs) into a Command & Control (C2) network can significantly reduce the amount of voice communication needed to coordinate and synchronize events. The integration of UCSs into an Air Traffic Management (ATM) network provides the basis for UAV operations in future controlled airspace. By taking advantage of existing technologies which are not yet fully exploited and taking into account the similarities with related developments in civil aviation, an evolutionary approach for the integration of a UCS with ATC and C2 systems is being pursued. To explore the opportunities of NEC for UAV missions for a range of possible configurations in terms of connectivity and functions, existing connectivity together with wrappers, linkages and fillers has been used to create a simulation environment, integrating C2, ATC and a UCS. Results illustrate that the opportunities which can be realized using existing connectivity already provide significant operational benefits. Hence, it is concluded that waiting with the development and implementation of functions that increase the NEC level until the 'promised' connectivity becomes available, will unnecessarily delay the moment at which significant operational gains can be realized.