Application of Evidential Reasoning to Helicopter Flight Path Control

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel evidential reasoning methodology, the Sum-and-Lattice-Points Method, to enhance real-time helicopter navigation and guidance in uncertain, hostile environments, integrating formal mathematical development and prototype testing.

Contribution

It presents the development and implementation of the Sum-and-Lattice-Points Method for evidential reasoning in expert systems for vehicle guidance under uncertainty.

Findings

Successful formalization of the Sum-and-Lattice-Points Method

Prototype system demonstrated in vehicle guidance context

Potential for improved navigation in hostile environments

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for research and development of the inferencing and knowledge representation aspects of an Expert System approach for performing reasoning under uncertainty in support of a real time vehicle guidance and navigation system. Such a system could be of major benefit for non-terrain following low altitude flight systems operating in foreign hostile environments such as might be experienced by NOE helicopter or similar mission craft. An innovative extension of the evidential reasoning methodology, termed the Sum-and-Lattice-Points Method, has been developed. The research and development effort presented in this paper consists of a formal mathematical development of the Sum-and-Lattice-Points Method, its formulation and representation in a parallel environment, prototype software development of the method within an expert system, and initial testing of the system within the confines of the vehicle guidance system.