Developing Maneuvering Behaviors for a Glider UAV Using a Genetic Programming Model Albuquerque, NM: Sandia National Laboratories

This report describes the methodology for using a genetic programming model to develop maneuvering behaviors for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is also a glider. The use of glider UAVs for surveillance and information-gathering operations has become increasingly important in defense and national security applications. Through an evolutionary process similar to that found in nature, the genetic programming model generates a computer program that when down-loaded onto a glider UAV’s on-board computer will guide the vehicle to find regions of lift for staying aloft while accomplishing an information-gathering task. This report discusses various approaches to developing behaviors using genetic programming and presents the results achieved