Formation Flight of Multiple UAVs Using Artificial Potential Field Algorithm

The present work deals with the design and validation of a formation flight control algorithm able to manage five aircraft simulated using a linear model representative of a a medium altitude, long endurance unmanned airplane. The proposed approach is based on the artificial potential field and it is validated both in bi-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces. Even though the aircraft models are time-invariant, the external environment is simulated to be time-variant. In fact, within the simulation it is possible to simulate intruders, or object moving with its own dynamics, and no-fly zones.