High Altitude (HA)

Functionality in OneSAF
OneSAF Users Conference

Presented by:
John Morash
SMDC/ARSTRAT
Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

HA Agenda
HA Airship Task
HA Airship Research Findings
Proof of Concept (PoC)
Design Decisions
Test Concepts
Testing Results
Demo
Project Status
Actions Needed

HA Tasking Authorities
AR 10-87 (Sep 07)
12-1. Mission
b. USASMDC/ARSTRAT is the Army specified
proponent for space, high altitude, and
ground-based midcourse defense (GMD);
and develops and transitions technology
and provides acquisition support to
assigned fields.

TRADOC Pamphlet 525-7-4, Army Space CCP (October 2006): Systems

operating in the near-space region have the potential to provide rapid, on
demand, dedicated capabilities augmenting strategic space assets

Supported commander and Army proponent for space, high altitude, and
ground-based midcourse defense.
Army Campaign Plan Change 5 (05 April 2007)

HA Task Process Approach

1.
2.

Conduct research
High Altitude Airship (HAA) model will be adapted from current OneSAF
UAV/Satellite model with the following focuses:
MOBILITY:

Ascent-get on station (Assumed at scenario start)

Power characteristics and behaviors
On-station drift patterns and behaviors
Off station or mobility modeling
Altitude, speed, on station time

Payload:
Payload modeling (Camera and/or Comms)
HA message set development (OneSAF observation reports)
Comm frequency, etc. parameters
Persistence on/off (based on power consumption modeling)

3.
4.
5.
6.

Develop the code, test cases, and associated scenarios.

Develop KAKE Document Set.*
Develop Use Cases*
Test and create Handover Package*
*

Note: These tasks not yet completed

Existing HA Airship Types

Airship Type

Program Lead

Payload

Power

Altitude

Lockheed Martin/
SMDC

50 lbs
1.7% of
weight

50 Watts

65- 70,000 Ft

ISIS

DARPA

30-40% of
weight
(Built inside)

400 watts

70,000

HiSentenial

SMDC Technical
Center

50 lbs

50 watts

67,00 Ft

HALE

Lindstrand (ESA)

600kg

80 watts

70,000Ft

HAA

Data collected from various on-line sources

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OCDL HA Airship Research Findings

Researched Areas:

Types of Airships/Airship Programs

Weather at Higher Altitudes
Airship Payloads
Airship Power

Operational Facts:
Airships are characterized as untethered and are equipped with propulsion systems that
allow them to travel from site to site, as required for the mission.
Generally, an Airship will be placed in the Stratosphere with the following conditions:
Above precipitative weather.
Low atmospheric absorption (Helium Loss).
Above FAA air traffic domain.
Mean atmospheric temperature: - 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mean wind below 20 knots, occasional peak above 100 knots.
Military experiments and testing showed:
HAs value as an ISR sensor platform (EO/IR and MTI).
Potential for increased value as a communications platform.

OCDL HA Airship Research Findings

contd

Additional Operational Facts:

Powered by Photovoltaic and fuel cells.
When camera dependent, an airship has a 700 square mile target detection range, with a
boresight of 90 degrees, and will be stationary.
Low power transmit and receive, therefore they have low signaturesacoustic, IR, RF.
Eliminates fuel dependency creating longer flight durations.
Eliminates need for more aircraft sorties plus payloads with continuous on-station keeping.
Fewer take offs and landings than fixed wing aircraft.
Consumes less resources to deploy and utilize.
Operating infrastructure costs potentially low relative to other forms of aviation.
Requires an open unobstructed launch/recovery area.
HA airship volumes are relatively large, which provides a potential for very large, internal
antennas.
Highstrength fabric to minimize puncture and hull weight and highly survivable.
Upon hasty unit relocation, airship is expendable and payload is recoverable via
parachute.

HA Airship Perspective

25 km (82 kft)

20 km (65.6 kft)

12 km (39.3 kft)

Sea Levell

Note:
Airship operating altitudes are above weather altitudes.
Object altitude location in perspective provide good representation of real altitudes
8

Line of Sight Distance

to Horizon vs Altitude
(304.5 sm)
(261.0 sm)
(217.5 sm)
(174.0 sm)
(130.5 sm)
(87 sm)

Increased LOS starts at

altitude of 10k feet

HA airships are capable of ascending to higher altitudes and increase the line of sight to the
horizon. This figure shows how the line of sight is increased as altitude increases. In a typical
environment, line of sight (for communication or surveillance) is limited to less than 23-29
miles. Line of sight can be increased to over 100 miles by ascending to less than 10,000 feet,
an altitude easily attainable by the aerostats available today. It also demonstrates the value of
moving to higher altitudes since line of sight can be increased by ascending to or above
60,000 feet.
9

Wind Effects on Station Keeping

50

140

Probability (%)
75

90

99

Station Keeping

A
l
t
i
t
u
d
e
(
k
f
t
)

120
100

80
60
40
20
0

Vandenburg AFB
NASA TM4511

50

100
150
200
Wind Velocity (knots)

250

Wind variability (gusts, fronts)

Propulsion system size, power
Attitude control for low drag
Standard GPS with inertial
navigation

The chart above shows maximum wind velocities from the earths surface to an altitude of
140,000 feet. The chart does not depict wind direction, which varies considerably within
the bands shown. The higher wind velocities shown between 10,000 and 60,000 feet are not
prevalent at all latitudes. The chart shows the altitudes best-suited for station-keeping. Hence
the most energy-efficient altitudes for station-keeping are either low or between 65,000 to
70,000 feet.
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Potential HA Uses in Battle

Extended Range Communications Network Relay:
Enable Battle Command
GPS Enhancement for Anti-Jamming (GPS Pseudo Satellite)
Communications Node

Imagery:
Air/Ground Moving Target Indicator
Regional and Wide Area Persistent Surveillance
Threat Tracking of Urban Combat Zones
Targeting Opportunities
Improved Situational Awareness

Alternate Space Asset:

Station Keeping HTA (UAV)

Station Keeping LTA (Airship)

Free-Floater
(Balloon)

Improved Asset Utilization

Airspace Management
TBM and Cruise Missile Detection

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OCDL HA Design Decisions

Airship Characteristics (Default):
Development: Team modified UAV/Satellite models in OneSAF to save time/cost.
Launch and Recovery: Airships have an adequate amount of helium to sustain them

for a minimum of 30 days. Most OneSAF scenarios are usually a few days with all players
active on the playboard. We model the HA as starting on station and do not model launch
or recovery.
Station-keeping: The HA airship remains on station in access of 30 days. The airship
will maintain position at a designated location until directed to relocate by the GCS.
Altitude: HA airships are emplaced at an altitude located between 60-70,000 ft.
Vulnerability: Vulnerability is not modeled in this PoC version (Weather, Hostiles).
Ground Command Station (GCS): Comm modeling in the PoC HA assumes perfect
comms (OneSAF dependent no terrain/weather degradation) to the GCS
Power: Will be a user selectable attribute that may effect near max-load payloads over a
long mission life (Airship power compromises sensor persistence). Payloads exceeding
power capacities not modeled.
Drift: Random drift will occur which will require the airship to utilize its power to run the
motor (uses x power) in order to relocate to its assigned on-station position. In OneSAF
wind is random and is not modeled. Therefore, we will model a random wind drift based
on a user input. This will effect power usage on board and potentially sensor persistence.

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OCDL HA Design Decisions (cont)

Initial Payload Characteristics:
Payloads: Two types of payload modeled: EO sensor and communications.
Payload Boresight: Emplacement of airship and HA coverage, using a camera, will be
an area located above GCS with a 90 degree boresight. Airship will maintain a geostationary position with random drift and regular drift correction. The camera boresight on
the ground will be reflective of the random drift and drift correction.

Surveillance: Sensor will provide persistent surveillance with a observation report

downloaded to the GCS on a 5 minute interval.

13

SR#

Type

HAA_SR_0001

DC

HAA_SR_0002
HAA_SR_0003
HAA_SR_0004
HAA_SR_0005
HAA_SR_0006
HAA_SR_0007
HAA_SR_0008
HAA_SR_0009

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

HAA_SR_0010
HAA_SR_0011
HAA_SR_0012
HAA_SR_0013
HAA_SR_0014
HAA_SR_0015
HAA_SR_0016
HAA_SR_0017

O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

HAA_SR_0019
HAA_SR_0020

O
O

HAA_SR_0021
HAA_SR_0022
HAA_SR_0023
HAA_SR_0024

O
O
O
O

Description
General
High Alitude (HA) Airship OneSAF capability shall collect data for verification and validation of HA
airship Models.
Airship Attributes
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a High Altitude (HA) airship
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a HA airship between an altitude of 60-70,000 ft.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a HA airship in a geo-stationary position.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a Ground Command Station (GCS).
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a direct communication LOS from GCS to HA airship.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship control from GCS.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship emplacement.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model airship survivability.
Payload
HAA OneSAF capability shall model up to to two payload types
( a communications and/or sensor devices).
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor activation.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor target acquisitions and generate observation reports.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model a sensor mission duration.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model sensor degradation.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model sensor data transfer.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model single point communications.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model payload recovery.
Drifting
HAA OneSAF capability shall model random drift
HAA OneSAF capability shall model drift correction.
Power Budget
HAA OneSAF capability shall model power as airship propulsion (ie substitue fuel).
HAA OneSAF capability shall model power as a regenerative source.
HAA OneSAF capability shall model power daily loss
HAA OneSAF capability shall model power with payload use.

Verification

PoC Initial HA Requirements

Comments

I
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

Future Release
Future Release
Future Release

D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D

Future Release

D
D
D
D
D
D
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PoC HAA Parameters

15

PoC Testable HA Use Cases

Airship Mobility (Staying on Station)
Propulsion (Drift Correction):
Algorithm has been implemented and tested
Survivability: Assumed to be invulnerable

Ground Command Station (GCS)

LOS to Airship Testing: Not effective due to Perfect Comms
Airship Control: Currently controlled by simulation controller
Sensor Activation: Implemented by Conduct Persistent Surveillance behavior

Sensor Payload

EO (Camera): Implemented via reuse and modification of the existing ISR models
Persistent Surveillance: Continuous observation, sends reports every 5 minutes
Power Sharing/Budgets: NA (Only one sensor being used)
Communications Network: Acts as a point-to-point relay.
Repeater/Radio/Network Support: NA (Can be implement as communication network)

Power Budget (Stressing)

Daily/Payload Usage (Between Airship & Payload): Power drain implemented for
mobility
Regenerative Source: Rechargeable fuel cell increases and decreases depending on
mobility state
16

HA Scenario: Airship Behaviors

Scenario Description:
Battlefield Commanders have always sought to see farther or over the next hill.
HA airships can provide the ability to carry ISR, EW, and communications-relay systems to
greater altitudes than can presently be reached for tactical units.
Potential ISR, EW, and communications-relay payloads for HA airships have become lighter
and less power demanding than earlier designs.

Objectives:
Scenario will allow testing of:
Measure Blue Force impacts; collect extended Battlefield FOV metrics once real
airship parameters/characteristics are plugged in.
Scenario with Airship: Expected reduced Battlefield impacts; greater FOV.
Scenario w/o Airship: Expected greater Battlefield impacts; smaller FOV.
Introduce Drift effects; power usage effects, persistence effects.
Mini performance Scenario: Will allow testing
of airship performance w/o payload or large
entity count impacting studies.
Provide means of preparing test cases/
procedures for verification of HA design
requirements.

17

HA Airship Scenario: Surveillance/ Comm Relay

by Altitude
Altitude provides the ability to see and achieve line of sight over both urban
and geographic terrain features. At altitude, an airship can provide
communication connectivity to the Ground Control Station hidden by terrain
and provide surveillance of threats, which might otherwise be hidden by the
environment.
HAA

Video/Comm Link

Red Force Recon

Blue Force GCS

18

HA Airship Hierarchy and Fuel Status

Power 100%
19

HA Airship Fuel Cell Depletion on

return to Station-Keeping

Power 74%
20

HA Scenario: Observation Reporting

Observation Reports are sent at

an interval of 5 minutes

21

Demonstratio
n

Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

22

HA Test Findings To Date

Forty Five test runs were conducted during this testing cycle. The following
insights were noted:
Weather and Ground effects are not available in OneSAF 2.1. When trying to
obscure the ground effects with fog, dust, smoke, and cloud cover they would not
take place in the PVD.
The HAA was tested during night operations and it was concluded that night does
effect HAA operations. The sensor on the Airship is an E/O camera. Night limits the
objects seen by the camera and therefore the output of observation reports is
ceased.
The HAA drift has a One kilometer Outer Station-Keeping Radius (OSKR). The
airship FOV is 31.4 miles in diameter (15.7 radius).
The power being used by the rechargeable fuel cell is configurable. OneSAF
does not allow for the adding of watts, etc, so a figure was inserted to allow for the
gradual percentage degradation as power was consumed by the airship.
The Inner Station-Keeping Radius (ISKR) was set to 250 meters to allow more
time to recharge.
Power for drift control can be used at anytime without being 100% recharged.
This is a configurable parameter and needs real values. Currently, drift control is a
function of station limits, not power availability.
The system would experience lockup when trying to process a large number of
entities when simulation time was increased. This is a OneSAF problem.
The number of entities being reported is configurable, currently set for 100 for demo
purposes.
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OCDL HA Project Status/Path Ahead

Collect HA characteristics
Collect sensor/payload characteristics
and behaviors
Use findings to write KAKE document

Develop use cases

Develop test cases
Develop Models
Test scenarios
Lock Down Design Requirements
Integrate and test the model using
approved use/test cases
Validate Parameters with Govt
Build a final test plan
Conduct final testing
Build Handover package materials

Collected (InitialTheoretical)
Collected (Theoretical)
Working (Need Final Govt.
Approved List)
In Review
Working (Draft Form)
Completed will be refined
Built Refinements
Initial Set Complete
Working

TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
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Actions Required to Continue

HAA Development
Requirements List Verified by Government

Real World Data for Airship Characteristics

Payload/Sensor Behavioral Data Requirements/Characteristics
Power Budgeting (Consumption vs Recharge Rate)
Power limits/conditions/consumption values
Drift management and control parameters

Doctrine/Military Missions described

Additional Use Cases
Additional Scenarios

Guidance on an actual wind models

Additional behaviors to be modeled
OSKR controls
Ascent & Descent (if launch/recovery is required)
Flight Operation (GCS control)
Please note: because HAAs are not yet fielded systems, parameter values have been/are difficult to
obtain and development assumptions are subject to change we need approved Government values
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Questions?

Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. SMDC Release Number: 9096

26