Network Centric Operations (NCO) is placing severe demands on crew members beyond their ability to perform the mission. Links within the Global Information Grid (GIG) provide immense volumes of data from off-platform sensors and information bases that must be transformed into knowledge. This transformation requires extensive processing while displaying information to the operator for rapid assimilation.
Demonstrations have shown the operator overload occurs when utilizing the current human-machine interface (HMI) and adding new functions such as those proposed for the new battlespace. In many cases the operator must perform his current duties which severely task the workload while controlling unmanned platforms which may be operating in a different environment than the manned platform operates. The overload precludes increasing situation awareness which is the primary reason for NCO. Managing the flow of data using the current crew station design also reduces heads-up and eye-out operations with an adverse impact on flight safety. A radical change is needed in the design of HMI, making the interfaces more intuitive, to resolve these problems.
A target platform has been selected for analysis and demonstration. NCO requirements, both current and projected, for that platform are in analysis. We are evaluating five potential candidates to reduce operator workload in the NCO environment. These are advanced software technologies, large displays, enhanced graphics processing, and voice recognition technology. Combinations of these technologies will be merged in a demonstration which builds upon previous work.
Current display systems use three-dimensional (3D) images projected on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces, sometimes call 2.5D. While these surfaces provide useful information, rotating the image often causes the operator to lose perspective. A 3D display, one providing a true three- dimensional view, eliminates this problem and provides a more intuitive image. This paper examines three applications where the 3D display provides definite operational benefits over the 2.5D display. First, the 3D display greatly benefits a homeland security application - baggage examination. Given a rotating x-ray sensor and a 3D display, the inspector examines baggage from all angles, identifying objects hidden underneath other items. Also a three dimensional view of the items significantly increases the probability of recognition when compared to a flat image. Second, a 3D display provides an intuitive, less cluttered image to Air Traffic Control (ATC) operators. Third, the 3D display is very useful in command and control suites, such as AWACS or JSTARS. Operators are able to see realistic representations of the battle space. Next, a description provides integration aspects of the 3D display. This includes the operator's ability to interact with systems not providing or needing 3D representation. Finally, a novel technology for implementing an autostereo display is discussed. The display provides look-around capability and is viewable by more than one person. An autostereo system does not require the use of special glasses, head trackers or other assistive aids.
When current domestic Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) sources became unavailable, prime contractors for military aircraft faced a severe problem with the sudden obsolescence of these assemblies. AMLCDs had become central to crew station design, but the only qualified North American source had failed. The problem was further complicated as several programs were beginning production, and supplies of existing, useable AMLCDs were rapidly being depleted. Solutions to the availability of AMLCDs had to be found quickly. The F/A - 18E/F program faced a unique situation in that three different displays, manufactured by two different suppliers, were affected by the loss of the AMLCD source. Both of the suppliers, for various technical and programmatic reasons, chose different approaches to the crisis. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are examined in this paper. In addition, Boeing has formed a Displays Process Action Team (DPAT) to examine whether or not it is possible to use common displays across the Company's diverse product lines.
The Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a design program involving two airframe companies (Boeing and Lockheed Martin), two services (USAF and USN) and four aircraft platforms: the F-22, the F-16, the F/A-18 and the F-15. Developing equipment requirements for the combined operational and environmental needs of these diverse communities is a significant challenge. In addition, the team is geographically dispersed which presented challenges in communication and coordination. This paper details the lessons learned in producing a cost-effective design within a short development schedule and makes recommendations for future development programs.
Recently two commercial airliners have been lost after the aircrew reported smoke within the cockpit. Even though the aircrews were able to don oxygen masks, the aircraft were lost. Contributing to these losses was an inability of the aircrew to read the instrument panel. A recent development incorporates a plastic bag on the instrument panel. This bag inflates and allows the aircrew a better opportunity to read the instruments. Although such a system is a marked improvement, incorporating a display function in the oxygen mask would improve the aircrew's ability to read the instruments and keep the aircrew in the critical 'heads-up' position. This paper details a preliminary set of requirements for a display/tracking system in the aircrew's oxygen masks.
Aircrews have always sought a tactical advantage within the visual range (WVR) arena -- usually defined as 'see the opponent first.' Even with radar and interrogation foe/friend (IFF) systems, the pilot who visually acquires his opponent first has a significant advantage. The Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) equipped with a camera offers an opportunity to correct the problems with the previous approaches. By utilizing real-time image enhancement technique and feeding the image to the pilot on the HMD, the target can be visually acquired well beyond the range provided by the unaided eye. This paper will explore the camera and display requirements for such a system and place those requirements within the context of other requirements, such as weight.
This paper examines the role that advanced display technology has in the upgrade of the F/A- 18 Hornet to the E/F configuration. Application of Active-Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) technology improves display performance and reliability and enables increased display processing capability. The paper provides a system-level description of two of the new F/A-18E/F displays, the Multipurpose Color Display and the Touch-Sensitive Up-Front Control Display. A brief comparison of performance and capability to the CRT-based display technology that is being displaced is made in conjunction with a discussion of the key performance characteristics of the new display hardware and graphics generation circuitry. An overview of the challenges of incorporating AMLCD technology into an existing tactical fighter crewstation, including optical and thermal performance is provided, followed by a review of the testing that has been performed to validate AMLCD and Touch Sensing technology use in the F/A-18.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.