A command and control system for all types of unmanned vehicles has been tested recently by the U.S. Navy on a submersible platform.

The successful testing of the newly developed Common Control System, or CCS, took place at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport in Puget Sound, Wash., and demonstrated its ability to provide command and control to a surrogate Large Displacement Unmanned Undersea Vehicle.

During the tests, the CCS was used to plan and execute several surveillance and intelligence preparation missions. The CCS sent pre-planned missions, via radio link, to the LDUUV's autonomous controller and displayed actual vehicle status information to the operators during the test.

The vehicle was able to maneuver to the target areas and collect imagery.

"These tests proved that operators could use CCS from a single global operations center to plan, command, and monitor UUVs on missions located anywhere in the world," said Capt. Ralph Lee, who oversees the Navy's CCS program at Patuxent River, Md. "This event also showed us that CCS is adaptable from the UAV [unmanned air vehicle] to UUV missions."

CCS is a software architecture with a common framework, user interface and components. It will provide common vehicle management, mission planning, and mission management capabilities for the Navy's variety of unmanned vehicles.

"Ultimately, CCS will eliminate redundant efforts, encourage innovation, and improve cost control for unmanned systems," Lee said.