johnson@gregsun.cs.umd.edu (Greg Johnson ) (01/20/89)
I am curious about what might be called `computer aided pilot environments.' I'm sure there's a lot of work going on in the area, but I wouldn't even know what the area is called. Both the Darpa pilot's associate program and the work at Nasa Ames (I believe) on human-computer interfaces in the cockpit would fall under this category. So, my questions: 1) Are darpa pilot's associate research programs still going? If so, where? Could someone give a synopsis of the kinds of things that have been attempted in the pilot's associate program? What journals, conferences, or books describe results in this area? 2) What companies and academic sites are doing research in modern cockpit design? I'm particularly curious about computer assistance in jet fighters. I'm wondering what sorts of ideas are being explored in terms of providing pilots with information they can absorb quickly and use in making tactical decisions in a fast-paced, high-stress situation. Again, where in the literature is this sort of thing discussed? Thanks in advance! - Greg Johnson johnson@mimsy.umd.edu
ricko@rosevax.Rosemount.COM (Rick O'Brien) (01/23/89)
In article <3286@cbnews.ATT.COM>, johnson@gregsun.cs.umd.edu (Greg Johnson ) writes: > I am curious about what might be called `computer aided pilot > environments.' [ some editing done]. So, my questions: > > 1) Are darpa pilot's associate research programs still going? If so, > where? Could someone give a synopsis of the kinds of things that have > been attempted in the pilot's associate program? What journals, > conferences, or books describe results in this area? > > 2) What companies and academic sites are doing research in modern > cockpit design? [more editing ] > Again, where in the literature is this sort of thing discussed? > - Greg Johnson A lot of these questions, and those of other people, are discussed in great detail in 'Aviation Week', it's an expensive magazine ( especially if you don't fit into the 'qualfied subscription' category; i.e. profesional involved in the aerospace or defense fields) but it is generally available in most libraries. To answer some of your questions; there is still quite a bit of research going on on the "pilot's assiciate." I believe Lockheed is one of the companies involved. Progress has been so good that early versions are being considered for use in the ATF program. The Jan. 9 issue of AvWeek has an article on an 'integrated pictoral cockpit display.' A flight path is programmed into an on board computer that projects a '3-D segmented highway' over the couse the pilot is to fly. A 'wingman' aircraft is projected just ahead and to one side of the ribbon through the sky. The pilot will pick up visual cues from his wingman and the ribbon as to speed, altitude, attitude, etc. The system was used in simulators and in an F-14 in a series of tests in 1985. It is also being evaluated for use with helicoptors. The pilot's associate is intended to do similar things but will incorporate threat information and recommended avoidance measures. By the way, details of the AEGIS systems, detailed descriptions of all kinds of military toys including some very nice photos of the B-2 ( AvWeek rented a plane for the rollout and overflew the field. It seems that no one thought to prohibit that kind of thing.) can all be found in AvWeek. Rick O'Brien --No, I don't get a commision on subscriptions.