Coordination Challenges and Issues in Stability, Security, Transition and Reconstruction (SSTR) and Cooperative Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

SSTR operations are becoming a priority for the Department of Defense (DoD) and are being given the same stature as the more traditional combat operations. The near-term goal of SSTR is to provide the local populace with security, restore essential services, and meet humanitarian needs, while in the longer term ensure a stable infrastructure. Large scale disasters are an example where SSTR operations can provide value. In such scenarios, local governments and non-governmental institutions are under great stress in order to respond in a timely manner to provide basic relief to the affected communities, and there may be outburst of aid from the local groups. All of this can lead to a less than desirable outcome if poorly coordinated! The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) is becoming increasingly important. These assets can enable the collection of needed information for the execution of a given set of tasks. In large scale operations, however, the ability for the UAVs to self-coordinate may be needed as it will be difficult for human operators to effectively control large teams of UAVs. This paper will begin by introducing some of the key aspects of multiagent coordination, with a focus on the operational challenges with regard to SSTR such as disaster management response as well as UAV coordination. We will then discuss the coordination challenges and gaps in order to motivate an adaptive, multiagent based approach to coordination as well as additional opportunities for research. We will conclude with a brief summary