Real-Time, Remotely Controlled, Unmanned, Surface Combatant (RT-RCUSC) using the internet

Abstract

This thesis was developed in response to the Navy's goal to reduce staffing levels aboard surface combatants. The thesis describes the computers, peripherals, and communication networks that make a Real-Time, Remotely Controlled, Unmanned, Surface Combatant, (RT-RCUSC) possible using wire and wireless Internet connections and protocols. A Command and Control (C2) model was developed using the rapid prototype methodology. The C2 model collected latency data which was analyzed to determine the feasibility of a RT-RCUSC. Sixteen experiments using latency times were designed to determine the viability of communication paths that progressively increased in distance and complexity. Variables included the use of two protocols, TCP and UDP, the use of two satellite types, geosynchronous and Low Earth Orbiting (LEO), as well as employing up to two satellites per end-to-end transmission path