An undergraduate systems engineering design project for using constructive and virtual simulation for an armed UAV design

This paper presents a design project for undergraduate systems engineering students in which Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (AUAV´s) are designed, using the systems engineering design process taught at the United States Military Academy, and tested using constructive and virtual simulation. These results are compared to theoretical results obtained through applying Lanchester analysis. Students first analyze the stakeholders´ needs and develop alternatives. The students research commercial off the shelf (COTS) UAV airframes, sensors and weapon systems that meet the stakeholders´ needs. Using design of experiments and response surface optimization, laboratory experimentation is conducted using Janus simulation and Janus Evaluator Tool Set (JETS) software to test the feasible alternatives under varying weather conditions and altitudes to examine performance against a predetermined threat. The students evaluate the alternatives using multi-attribute utility theory and encompassing all the objectives defined in the stakeholder analysis. Sensitivity analysis is applied and a recommendation is made to the decision maker.