NATO standard STANAG 4586 defines a standard interface for the command and control of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The motivation behind STANAG 4586 is to provide UAV “interoperability” – the ability for a number of ground stations to control or manipulate a UAV in real-time. STANAG 4586 defines a system architecture, message set, protocol, and data format for communication between a UAV and the Core UAV Control Station (CUCS). In general terms, a CUCS is also known as either a Ground Control Station (GCS) or a Remote Video Terminals (RVT) with specific Levels of Interoperability (LOI).

STANAG 4586 defines two sets of messages: one for the commands the CUCS sends to the UAV and another representing the information the UAV sends to the CUCS. Together, these message sets provide complete command and control of the UAV. STANAG 4586 also defines the transport mechanism for the messages, UDP protocol, and the byte-level layout for data packets. Most importantly, STANAG 4586 dictates the existence of a Vehicle Specific Module (VSM). This subsystem takes STANAG-compliant commands from the GCS, translates them into vehicle-specific/autopilot and payload-specific commands onboard the vehicle, and exercises real-time control over the AV and its payloads to comply with the STANAG standard.

The VSM automatically acknowledges execution or completion of certain commands and collects data from the UAV in its native/proprietary formats (altitude, position, air data, vehicle health data, etc.), converts it, and packages it according to STANAG 4586 standards. The VSM then sends the appropriate messages to the CUCS at prescribed update rates. The existence of the VSM is what makes a STANAG-compliant UAV interoperable.

The VSM can reside on the CUCS or on board the UAV. A CUCS can be considered STANAG 4586 compliant using a ground-based VSM. However, the UAV can not be considered STANAG 4586 compliant when the VSM resides only on the CUCS. A VSM residing on board a UAV provides truly complete interoperability. Any STANAG-compliant CUCS with an appropriate uplink connection (i.e. a compatible radio with a compatible waveform) can discover and control (LOI 2, 3, 4, 5) the UAV.

STANAG 4586 defines five (5) Levels of Interoperability (LOI).

A STANAG 4586 Vehicle Specific Module (VSM) converts an uncrewed aircraft system’s non-STANAG compliant autopilot and payload interfaces into STANAG-compliant messages. Kutta’s design breaks the VSM into two functional components: a Data Link Interface (DLI) and a message translator. Kutta’s DLI is fully developed, ensuring the transmission and reception of the STANAG data are compliant with the standard.

The message translator converts the non-compliant messages, using a well-defined software development kit (SDK), into compliant STANAG messages. Kutta has developed over 30 STANAG 4586 VSMs utilizing this two-component approach. Depending on the customer’s needs, Kutta offers these options:

1. Custom VSM development, leveraging Kutta’s advanced engineering expertise or modification of a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) VSMs for the following autopilot types:
   1. Piccolo® autopilot and TASE® cameras
   2. Kestrel®-based autopilots and camera systems with onPoint®
   3. Open-source Mavlink/Pixhawk autopilots with multiple payload types
2. A turnkey hardware-based solution based on the multiple form factors of the Small Mission Computer (SMC). This solution provides an easy upgrade path for advanced, multi-UAS command and control and advanced teaming.

The VSM can be integrated on the ground or in the air vehicle. Kutta’s also offers commercial solutions for international export.cr