Framework for formation control of jet-propelled unmanned surface vehicles

This study focuses on the research of spray-pump type unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Based on the analysis of the dynamics and motion characteristics of USVs, a method combining Dubins curves and the particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to find the optimal or suboptimal solution for the formation path. The research goal is to switch multiple USVs from an unordered state to a formation state, taking the speed of USVs and the formation endpoint as dynamic variables and integrating Dubins curve theory into the particle swarm optimization algorithm. A theoretical framework for the formation of spray-pump type USVs is proposed. Finally, the formation of three USVs is realized in a simulation platform.