A Model for Assessing UAV System Architectures

There is a current need for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems architecture generation and assessment models. Architecture assessment models that presently exist tend to be fractional and do not account for all dynamic attributes that should be considered in the architecture assessment. There are infinite possibilities of architecture assessment modeling methods that can be used to assess conceptual systems architecture. Developing a good architecture assessment model for evaluating the functional and systems architecture reduces system ambiguity while increasing the tangibility of the system. This paper will present an assessment model specifically for UAV systems and this model can also be adapted to virtually any type of complex adaptive system. On new complex UAV systems it is essential evaluate the appropriate Level of Autonomy (LOA) required to satisfy customer and mission requirements. The assessment model detailed in this paper combines known design heuristics with quantitative, qualitative, and visual representations that assess the probability that the generated architecture will meet performance and capability requirements. The architecture assessment model will assess and generate a combined score that will indicate if the architecture is acceptable or unacceptable. Future UAV systems may reach a LOA that would be considered as Artificial Intelligence (AI); and this pursuit will increase the need for advanced LOA architecture modeling and assessment.