An Integer Programming Model for Assigning Unmanned Air Vehicles to Tasks

Abstract

We consider a team of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), deployed to carry out tasks such as searching for, classifying, attacking, and performing battle damage assessment of enemy targets. In some missions, it may be advantageous for the UAVs to form sub-teams to leverage their efforts and cooperatively handle single enemy targets. Within a sub-team, each UAV would be responsible for carrying out a specific set of tasks to collectively accomplish the mission. An integer linear program is posed for assembling the vehicles into sub-teams. The model’s novelty and usefulness lie in its combination of flexibility and ease of solution. Empirical work suggests that good solutions can be computationally generated rapidly enough to assimilate new situation awareness information dynamically, and formulate new sub-teams on the flу.