Systems and methods for enhancing aircraft performance are provided. In one example, a method can include accessing an initial model that defines operating cost of an aircraft at a series of model operating states. The method also can include identifying one or more sample operating states for analyzing aircraft cost during flight. The method also can include receiving one or more real-time flight performance parameters indicative of aircraft operating cost while the aircraft is operating at the identified sample operating states. The method also can include generating an updated model that defines operating cost of the aircraft using the initial model as well as data defined by the real-time flight performance parameters. The method also can include determining an enhanced operating state based at least in part on the updated model and outputting the enhanced operating state for control of the aircraft.

This disclosure is directed to an automated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) self-identification system, devices, and techniques pertaining to the automated identification of individual UAVs operating within an airspace via a mesh communication network, individual UAVs and a central authority representing nodes of the mesh network. The system may detect nearby UAVs present within a UAV's airspace. Nearby UAVs may self-identify or be identified via correlation with one or more features detected by the UAV. The UAV may validate identifying information using a dynamic validation policy. Data collected by the UAV may be stored in a local mesh database and distributed to individual nodes of the mesh network and merged into a common central mesh database for distribution to individual nodes of the mesh network. UAVs on the mesh network utilize local and central mesh database information for self-identification and to maintain a dynamic flight plan.

Cockpit display systems and methods for generating navigation displays including landing diversion symbology are provided. In one embodiment, the cockpit display system includes a cockpit monitor and a controller coupled to the cockpit monitor. The controller is configured to assess the current feasibility of landing at one or more diversion airports in a range of an aircraft on which the cockpit display system is deployed. The controller is further configured to assign each diversion airport to one of a plurality of predetermined landing feasibility categories, and generate a horizontal navigation display on the cockpit monitor including symbology representative of the feasibility category assigned to one or more of the diversion airports.

A method for managing a premature descent envelope during descent of an aircraft is provided. The method receives glideslope deviation data by an instrument landing system (ILS) onboard the aircraft; compares, by the ILS, the glideslope deviation data to an acceptable band of glideslope deviation values; and when the glideslope deviation data is within the acceptable band, expands, by a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), the premature descent envelope to produce an increased premature descent envelope for the aircraft.

An aircraft system includes a communications unit configured to receive a first message with a first proposed flight plan modification to a flight plan from air traffic control. The system further includes a processing unit coupled to the communications unit and configured to receive the first message. The processing unit is further configured to generate display commands representing the first proposed flight plan modification and the flight plan. The system further includes a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and display the flight plan and first symbology representing the first proposed flight plan modification with the flight plan.

A method, system, and recording medium including a mission receiving device configured to receive a mission for the drone-swarm based on a user input, a drone and pattern recruiting device configured to recruit a plurality of drones based on the mission, and a flocking goal device configured to arrange the plurality of drones in the drone-swarm in a pattern to satisfy the mission.

An emergency landing procedure that includes a sequence of control settings is continuously generated. An aircraft is landed, including by using the sequence of control settings and a set of one or more inertial sensors to control an actuator.

Methods and systems are provided for generating an interim route that facilitates navigating a vehicle to an intended destination. One exemplary method facilitating an aircraft landing at an intended destination involves obtaining a current position of the aircraft, obtaining one or more time constraints for the intended destination, determining an interim route from the current aircraft position to the intended destination that veers towards a conditional diversion destination based at least in part on the one or more time constraints for the intended destination, and providing indication of the interim route to an aircraft operator, for example, by displaying a graphical representation of the interim route on a navigational map on a display device.

The present invention is a system and method for aircraft ground collision avoidance (iGCAS) comprising a modular array of software, including a sense own state module configured to gather data to compute trajectory, a sense terrain module including a digital terrain map (DTM) and map manger routine to store and retrieve terrain elevations, a predict collision threat module configured to generate an elevation profile corresponding to the terrain under the trajectory computed by said sense own state module, a predict avoidance trajectory module configured to simulate avoidance maneuvers ahead of the aircraft, a determine need to avoid module configured to determine which avoidance maneuver should be used, when it should be initiated, and when it should be terminated, a notify Module configured to display each maneuver's viability to the pilot by a colored GUI, a pilot controls module configured to turn the system on and off, and an avoid module configured to define how an aircraft will perform avoidance maneuvers through 3-dimensional space.

Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.