TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Electronics, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-261, CH-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter, ACAT I; PMA-275, V-22

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a real-time rotorcraft display that depicts a landing site area using fused sensor data while an aircraft approaches and descends in a landing zone.

DESCRIPTION: Since the Gulf War in 1990-1991, there have been many rotary aircraft involved in accidents stemming from brown-out conditions. During brown-out, the aircraft�s rotary wind stirs up sand and dust in the down thrust which causes an in-flight visibility restriction resulting in the pilot being unable to see nearby objects which provide the outside visual references necessary to control the aircraft near the ground. The resultant spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness has led to fatalities and loss of aircraft.

The focus of this effort will be to explore innovative sensor fusion technologies and develop novel display presentation techniques that best transmits critical sensor information to the pilot and crew during an approach to the landing zone. The displays should provide drift cues, topography maps, and obstacle avoidance capabilities. In particular, fuse symbolic aircraft state information over terrain/obstacle imagery generated from sources such as:

a.) Synthetic terrain from a persistent terrain/obstacle elevation database built up by 3D sensors such as RADAR or LIDAR.
b.) Terrain/obstacle image from a 2D imaging sensor that can see through dust, such as imaging radar or passive mmWave sensor.

The display technology should take into account multi-sensor cues and onboard sensors. Automating these technologies will help to reduce pilot workload and minimize the processing time required to send critical information in near real-time using current on-board mission computer systems.

PHASE I: Demonstrate proof of concept of appropriate processing and/or display technologies that can be used or enhanced for the depiction of a landing site area. The display should integrate drift/obstacle cues, flight instruments, terrain elevation data and/or symbology to provide accurate sensor data to the pilot and crew during approach and decent of the rotorcraft.

PHASE II: Using modeling and simulation, design and develop a panel mounted display prototype that automates the fusing of sensor data and displays in near real-time a depiction of the landing area and rotorcraft dynamic flight situation during approach and landing. Simulate the sensors being used such as 3D scanning and 2D imaging. Also simulate the terrain/obstacle sensor�s scan pattern, limited scan rate, limited field-of-regard and limited resolution if applicable.

PHASE III: Design and develop a complete system that demonstrates the above-mentioned objectives and performance criterion. Conduct flight tests in degraded visual environments to characterize the system performance while adhering to the safety standards for military rotorcraft.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This type of technology can be used to aid commercial/private aircraft during adverse weather conditions. Situational awareness is an issue for both military and commercial pilots.

REFERENCES:
1. William J. Sharp Air Force Office of Scientific Research Public Affairs (October 2001). National Helicopter Experts Gather to Discuss Aerodynamic Solutions for Brownout. http://www.afosr.af.mil/News/nr_2007_03_helicopterExperts.htm.

2. Anderson, Major Lee, 'Solutions for Helicopter Brown-out'. http://www.afit.edu/cse/docs/presentations/NDIA%20SE%2006%20-%20ZeroVis_Brief.pdf.

3. Munitions Directorate, AFRL/MN �AFRL Develops Partial Solution to Helicopter Brownout�. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123066184.

KEYWORDS: Brownout; Whiteout; Situational Awareness; Degraded Visual Environment (DVE); Rotorcraft; Displays.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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