Formation Control For Multi-Vehicle Robotic Minesweeeping

Abstract

Current methods of minefield reconnaissance and clearance operations prove to be tedious, time consuming, expensive, and dangerous. In an effort to find an effective low cost solution, the U.S. Navy is considering using fleets of robotic underwater vehicles equipped with detection sensors and /or magnetic and acoustic minesweeping devices. To ensure maximum sweeping of the minefield, all vehicle movements are coordinated through a supervisor vehicle. Here, a computer simulation was conducted using a lawnmower minesweeping pattern. As the minefield is swept, vehicles are lost to mine detonations and the supervisor re-tasks all remaining vehicles. The algorithm for track control and vehicle reconfiguration was studied and evaluated.