Flight Demonstration of Radar-based Autonomous Non-cooperative UAS Collision Avoidance

Abstract - In the framework of a research project carried out by the Italian Aerospace Research Center and the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the University of Naples “Federico II”, an integrated radar/electro-optical system configuration was adopted to demonstrate in flight autonomous non-cooperative UAS collision avoidance. Real time data fusion and decision making algorithms were developed to estimate intruders motion and generate proper escape trajectories. The prototypical hardware/software system was installed onboard an optionally piloted flying laboratory of Very Light Aircraft category, and an extensive flight test campaign with a single intruder aircraft was carried out. This paper focuses on the results from radar-based autonomous collision avoidance flight tests. System performance is analyzed in terms of accuracy and reliability in estimating intruder position and velocity, and effectiveness in performing safe avoidance maneuvers while minimizing the deviation from nominal trajectory.