This is an ideal reference book for postgraduate students and researchers who are looking to expand their knowledge in the field of autonomous unmanned air vehicles (UAV). Professor Sebbane has covered a wide range of topics ranging from modelling and simulation to obstacle avoidance, whilst ensuring the discussion is well accompanied with clear definitions and remarks. The book covers and links four main areas: (1) modelling, (2) flight control, (3) flight path planning and (4) flight safety. Throughout the book, the reader will also find that each discussion is well rooted in control theory, which is ideal for those who want to extend their basic knowledge of control.

The first chapter provides the context behind the current challenges we face in introducing autonomous UAVs into operational service. This is done in a thorough but concise manner with clear definitions of the different levels of autonomy and moreover, a specification of what we mean by a ‘smart’ autonomous vehicle.

This introduction is followed by a chapter discussing modelling. This is particularly exceptional because it not only covers the standard aircraft modelling approach, but also presents methods needed specifically for autonomous UAV operations such as the multi-modelling approach, sensor modelling and human-supervisory models. The methods presented focus on modern state-space modelling which is ideal for the application of modern control methods. Moreover, the chapter presents topics such as methods to implement uncertainty in models used to develop robust flight control schemes. It should be noted that this chapter focuses on the flight dynamic equations of motion and glances over the aerodynamic derivatives, which in fact define the inner-loop stability and control characteristics of an aircraft. At this point, readers not familiar with the concept of aeroderivatives will find it useful to refer to references provided by Professor Sebbane that focus specifically on flight dynamics and aircraft system identification.

The controller synthesis techniques presented in the flight control chapter effectively capture and discuss inner-loop control methods developed since those given in undergraduate books such as Stevens and Lewis’ Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls Design, and Autonomous Systems – Third edition (John Wiley, 2016). A direct discussion of gain scheduling methods and the approach towards flight control that considers sets of linear systems really separates the book's contents from the classical books for undergraduates to a strong reference for postgraduate research. The theoretical foundations for nonlinear control methods such as dynamic inversion, control Lyapunov function approach and fuzzy flight control are well covered and are accompanied by solved example problems. However, these examples focus too much on the theoretical problem formulation and the corresponding analytical solution. Although theoretical focus is important, the discussion could have been improved via some simple practical examples with results so that students and researchers could check their understanding and application of these control methods.

A dedicated chapter on flight planning covers the key aspects of aircraft guidance and navigation. The multi-layered algorithmic approach to flight planning is broken into path planning, mission planning and mission management. The theory for foundational path planning methods such as the use of cubic and quintic splines and the formulation of time optimal trajectories are well presented. However, the main highlight is the section on guidance and collision avoidance methods. These methods are presented not only with the theoretical basis but are also accompanied with clear tables that show steps necessary for algorithmic implementation. Furthermore, this chapter on flight planning goes beyond the topic of guidance for single aircraft, found in many other books, by including a short discussion on resource management for a team of autonomous UAVs which is highly relevant given current developments in coordinated UAV operations.

Flight safety is the final topic covered in the book. Some limited background is provided for flight operations, but the reader will find that flight safety is really treated from a systems and control perspective that focuses on the role of fault tolerance, situational awareness and vehicle health management. Various filtering methods are introduced in the context of situational awareness alongside simultaneous localisation and mapping techniques. Fault-tolerant control as well as fault-tolerant planning are discussed.

To conclude, the subject area covered in this book is very broad. Naturally, therefore, topics such as nonlinear flight control or health monitoring are not covered from all perspectives. Yet it is an exceptional effort that brings together key aspects of UAV flight control and planning in a single book and it is a good starting point for engineers and academics alike.