Model-Based Architecture Tradeoff Analysis of Fighter-Drone Teaming System

The Fighter-Drone Teaming system architecture is required to meet the demands of hetero-system interoperation, multi-sourced command and control, and human-machine collaboration. Architectural attributes of robustness, security and developability are in great request as well. In this article, a model-based approach is adopted for the architecture tradeoff analysis of typical teaming system for air-to-ground attack. The teaming system development constrains and technical trends are analyzed, and architecture alternatives are designed, modeled and compared. Then a system architecture featured with flat communication, dynamic center, and adjustable roles and responsibilities is selected. In order to verify its applicability, a teaming system architecture model is built with the size of 2 fighters and 4 drones, then logical, spatial-temporal and interactive scenario simulations are conducted. The results show that the architecture can effectively realize manned-unmanned cooperative flight, detection and attack. With its concise function flow, moderate communication traffic and necessary fault tolerance, the architecture could be a preferred solution for the engineering development of teaming system.