Bob Shaw, a retired Air Force Reserve pilot and subject matter expert for the 711th Human Performance Wing’s Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighter Interface Division, Supervisory Control Interfaces Branch, evaluates the symbology and flight dynamic algorithms used in a DynaMan synthetic world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chris Gulliford)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

HUMAN PERFORMANCE WING GIVES RPA PILOTS MORE DYNAMIC MANEUVERING ABILITY

Published Feb. 28, 2011
By Elizabeth Long
711th Human Performance Wing

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilots will be better able to fly as if they were in the aircraft thanks to a system that will give them more ability to dynamically maneuver the plane.

The 711th Human Performance Wing's Human Effectiveness Directorate, Warfighter Interface Division, Supervisory Control Interfaces Branch is developing the Dynamic Maneuvering operator interface.

Many Air Force missions require quick responses from pilots and maximum performance from the aircraft. In the case of traditionally piloted aircraft, pilots move the stick and throttle and receive feedback from the aircraft and environment as soon as it occurs.

For Remotely Piloted Aircraft, the control loop is not as direct. During beyond line of sight operations there is currently a time delay of approximately 1.8 seconds between the pilot's control input and system feedback - the operator does not see the result of his or her control input for nearly 2.0 seconds.

Because two of the most important pieces of information that pilots use in flight are the aircraft state (a plane's orientation and energy such as altitude, airspeed and course) and the frame of reference (the horizon or direction of motion), this communication lag inhibits a pilot's ability to perform precise maneuvers at a moment's notice.

"DynaMan improves system control by running simulations of the aircraft and environment in the control station that provide immediate feedback to the pilot's control input," said Dr. Guy French, DynaMan technical co-lead, 711 HPW/RHCI.

With DynaMan, the pilot enters the desired control inputs using the familiar stick and throttle. The control station sends these control inputs to the aircraft and to the simulations. Both destinations execute the control inputs upon receipt. The simulation displays the instantaneous response of the simulated aircraft and the virtual world, allowing for smoother control of the vehicle. The aircraft response is received 2.0 seconds later and is compared to the simulation response. Any differences are applied to the simulation to bring it in line with what really happened.

In manned aircraft, pilots are immersed in the real world which acts as the frame of reference for their control of the aircraft. In addition to being delayed, RPA frame of reference is currently displayed as a narrow field of view of the real world.

"It is as if the RPA pilot were looking through a soda straw - he or she cannot see what is around the plane in the real world," said Tim Barry, technical co-lead, 711 HPW/RHCI.

To address this reduced situational awareness, DynaMan incorporates offboard datalink information that tells the pilot about objects surrounding the aircraft in airspace, such as clouds and other aircraft. This virtual world provides pilots with a 360-degree view.

The datalink information is currently simulated, but there are plans to begin feeding live datalink information into the system for evaluation.

"The combination of the full field of view of the virtual world, the predicted aircraft state and actual aircraft state allow for more efficient, natural and effective operation of RPA," noted French.