Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments further provide a system for hierarchical mission management comprising a number of mission planners, a data processing system, and a communication system. The number of mission planners are associated with a number of agent groups. The data processing system is configured to execute the number of mission planners. The communication system is configured to provide communication between the number of mission planners.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base vehicle, a takeoff and landing system, a rack system, a refueling system associated with the base vehicle, and a controller. The rack system comprises a group of racks with slots in which the slots receive unmanned aerial vehicles, provide refueling connections that facilitate refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots, and provide data connections that facilitate data transmission with the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots. The refueling system refuels an unmanned aerial vehicle located in a slot using a refueling connection in the refueling connections. The controller communicates with the unmanned aerial vehicle using a data connection and control the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles by the refueling system while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in the slot, enabling exchanging data with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomously managing operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Sensor data is received by a computer system located onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor data is processed by the computer system to generate information of interest related to at least one target, while the unmanned aerial vehicle is out of a communications range of a control station. A number of actions to be performed is identified by the computer system based on the information of interest related to the at least one target, while the unmanned aerial vehicle is out of the communications range of the control station.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base vehicle, a takeoff and landing system, a rack system, a refueling system associated with the base vehicle, and a controller. The rack system comprises a group of racks with slots in which the slots receive unmanned aerial vehicles, provide refueling connections that facilitate refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots, and provide data connections that facilitate data transmission with the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots. The refueling system refuels an unmanned aerial vehicle located in a slot using a refueling connection in the refueling connections. The controller communicates with the unmanned aerial vehicle using a data connection and control the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles by the refueling system while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in the slot, enabling exchanging data with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomously managing operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Sensor data is received by a computer system located onboard the unmanned aerial vehicle. The sensor data is processed by the computer system to generate information of interest related to at least one target, while the unmanned aerial vehicle is out of a communications range of a control station. A number of actions to be performed is identified by the computer system based on the information of interest related to the at least one target, while the unmanned aerial vehicle is out of the communications range of the control station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a recreational water area. A recreational water area management system comprises a water area manager. The water area manager is configured to receive information about a recreational water area from a group of autonomous vehicles, analyze the information to identify an event, and coordinate the group of autonomous vehicles to perform a mission in the recreational water area based on the event.

Abstract: The advantageous embodiments provide a method for identifying anomalies on an object. The advantageous embodiments detect a presence of the object in a control area using a sensor system. In response to detecting the presence of the object in the control area, the object is identified using the sensor system. Scan priorities are identified for the object using the sensor system. The object is scanned while the object is within the control area to form scan results. The scan results are analyzed and a determination is made as to whether a number of maintenance anomalies are detected on the object using the scan results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a group of robotic platforms is present. The method controls the group of robotic platforms to perform operations in an operating area. Environmental signals are generated in the operating area. A response of the group of robotic platforms to an input is identified. A determination is made as to whether the response is a desired response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a mobile platform. Images are provided by a camera system on a first mobile platform. The images include images of a second platform. An identified position of the first mobile platform is generated using the images and the position information for the second platform. The position information for the second platform identifies a location of the second platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a number of diameters for a group of trees. An unmanned aerial vehicle moves on a route through the group of trees at a height that is configured to allow measurement of the number of diameters for the group of trees by a sensor system associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. Information is generated about the number of diameters for the group of trees using the sensor system associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a platform. Features are identified in a series of images generated by a camera system associated with the platform while the platform is moving. A shift in a perspective of the camera system is identified from a shift in a position of the features in the series of images. A change in the position of the platform is identified based on the shift in the perspective.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of managing a forest. A forestry management system comprises a forestry manager. The forestry manager is configured to receive information about a forest from a group of autonomous vehicles, analyze the information to generate a result about a state of the forest from the information, and coordinate operation of the group of autonomous vehicles using the result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an aircraft. A current performance of the aircraft is identified during operation of the aircraft using a model of the aircraft and flight state data. A current capability of the aircraft is identified from the current performance of the aircraft. An operation is performed based on the current capability of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating information about a forest. A number of locations in the forest are identified over which an electromagnetic energy sensor system in an unmanned aerial vehicle generates the information about the forest by generating a point cloud with a resolution that meets a point cloud threshold. A route is generated for the unmanned aerial vehicle to move to the number of locations and generate the information about the forest in the number of locations.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a number of computers, a graphical user interface, first program code stored on the computer, and second program code stored on the computer. The graphical user interface is executed by a computer in the number of computers. The computer is configured to run the first program code to define a mission using a number of mission elements. The computer is configured to run the second program code to generate instructions for a number of assets to execute the mission and monitor the number of assets during execution of the mission.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that may include a number of robotic machine groups, a mission planner, and a mission control. The mission planner may be capable of generating a mission for the number of robotic machine groups. The mission control may be capable of executing the mission using the number of robotic machine groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a location reference system and a control module. The location reference system is configured to generate location information for a number of mobile platforms in an environment. The control module is configured to receive the location information for the number of mobile platforms from the location reference system. The control module is further configured to generate command signals for the number of mobile platforms using the location information. The control module is further configured to send the command signals to the number of mobile platforms to operate the number of mobile platforms in the environment such that operation of the number of mobile platforms emulates the operation of a number of spacecraft systems in a non-Earth terrestrial environment.