ABSTRACT
Case Study Elements ...................................................................................................................... 702 Fundamental Essence ................................................................................................................ 702 Topical Relevance ..................................................................................................................... 702 Stakeholders .............................................................................................................................. 702 Primary Insights ........................................................................................................................ 703
Keywords .......................................................................................................................................704 Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................704 Glossary .........................................................................................................................................704 Background .................................................................................................................................... 705
Context ...................................................................................................................................... 705 High-Level Description of the ATSoS ......................................................................................706 Relevant De£nitions .................................................................................................................. 707 Theoretical Background and Prior Research............................................................................. 707 Legacy Systems and Existing Practices ....................................................................................709 TowardAutonomous Flight .......................................................................................................709 Swarm Theory ........................................................................................................................... 710 Guiding Principles ..................................................................................................................... 711 Characterizations ....................................................................................................................... 712
Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 712 History ....................................................................................................................................... 712 The Current Situation ................................................................................................................ 713 Known Problems ....................................................................................................................... 713
Interoperability Issues .......................................................................................................... 713 Limits to Predictability ......................................................................................................... 713 Integration Issues .................................................................................................................. 713 Inability to Incorporate User Preferences ............................................................................. 714 Unachievable Optimality ...................................................................................................... 714 Limited Use of Onboard Avionics Capabilities .................................................................... 714
Mission, Desired or Expected Capabilities, and Process for Achieving the Objectives ........... 714 Complex System of Systems ......................................................................................................... 715
Environment and Constraints .................................................................................................... 716 Feedback and Governance ........................................................................................................ 716 Boundaries................................................................................................................................. 718 Internal Relationships and Decision Process ............................................................................ 718 Challenges ................................................................................................................................. 719
This case examines the Air Transportation System of Systems (ATSoS), the subsystems and stakeholders involved, the complex interactions among them, and the main data ™ows. Particular attention will be placed on the complexities of the ATSoS, the inef£ciencies of the current approach to manage air traf£c, and the solutions that have been proposed to address inef£ciency problems. A swarm theoryinspired alternative approach to resolve the inef£ciencies of the ATSoS will be explored in depth.
