The Flight Systems Development branch of the U.S. Army's Avionics Research and Development Activity (AVRADA) and NASA Ames Research Center have developed for flight testing a Computer Aided Low-Altitude Helicopter Flight (CALAHF) guidance system. The system includes a trajectory-generation algorithm which uses dynamic programming and a helmet-mounted display (HMD) presentation of a pathway-in-the-sky, a phantom aircraft, and flight-path vector/predictor guidance symbology. The trajectory-generation algorithm uses knowledge of the global mission requirements, a digital terrain map, aircraft performance capabilities, and precision navigation information to determine a trajectory between mission way points that seeks valleys to minimize threat exposure. This system was developed and evaluated through extensive use of piloted simulation and has demonstrated a 'pilot centered' concept of automated and integrated navigation and terrain mission planning flight guidance. This system has shown a significant improvement in pilot situational awareness, and mission effectiveness as well as a decrease in training and proficiency time required for a near terrain, nighttime, adverse weather system. AVRADA's NUH-60A STAR (Systems Testbed for Avionics Research) helicopter was specially modified, in house, for the flight evaluation of the CALAHF system. The near terrain trajectory generation algorithm runs on a multiprocessor flight computer. Global Positioning System (GPS) data are integrated with Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) data in the flight computer to provide a precise navigation solution. The near-terrain trajectory and the aircraft state information are passed to a Silicon Graphics computer to provide the graphical 'pilot centered' guidance, presented on a Honeywell Integrated Helmet And Display Sighting System (IHADSS). The system design, piloted simulation, and initial flight test results are presented.


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    Title :

    Flight Evaluation of a Computer Aided Low-Altitude Helicopter Flight Guidance System


    Contributors:
    H. N. Swenson (author) / R. D. Jones (author) / R. Clark (author)

    Publication date :

    1993


    Size :

    11 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Flight evaluation of a computer aided low-altitude helicopter flight guidance system

    Swenson, Harry N. / Jones, Raymond D. / Clark, Raymond | NTRS | 1993


    Flight evaluation of a computer aided low-altitude helicopter flight guidance system

    Swenson, Harry N. / Jones, Raymond D. / Clark, Raymond | NTRS | 1993