Scientists and Engineers in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are constantly asked what are the new
technologies and concepts that are being developed to significantly increase the warfighters capabilities. The warfighting
communities have different opinions and priorities based on their platform capabilities and operational requirements that
the Laboratory has to make trade-offs to maximize the payoff on investment for the Air Force operator community in
this tighter budget era. This paper will discuss the current state of helmet mounted displays in rotorcraft and fast jets as
well as the future technology advancements needed to increase warfighter productive and/or reduce life cycle costs.
Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) technologies have been developing for over 3 decades and have been studied for
multiple applications ranging from military aircraft, to virtual reality, augmented reality, entertainment and a host of
other ideas. It would not be unreasonable to assume that after this much time they would be employed in our daily lives
as ubiquitously as the common desktop monitor. However, this is simply not the case. How can this be when they can
be used in so many ways for so many tasks? Throughout this work we will look at some of the reasons why as well of
some of the ways they can be used.
The objective of this paper is to present the details surrounding the experimental design and flight test program used to
evaluate the performance of an Optical Head Tracker (OHT) under dynamic flight and intense solar conditions. This
program was a collaborative effort led by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in close concert with NASA-Glenn
Research Center (NGRC) based in Cleveland Ohio and contractors supporting the laboratory. The thrust of this paper
will focus on the experimental design necessary to effectively evaluate the OHT performance, as well as safety of flight
considerations necessary to satisfy both AFRL and NASA strict safety requirements. Discussions will include airborne
platform selection, modification, and operations necessary to achieve maximum solar exposure on the OHT while
ensuring a representative environment was presented to the OHT during the experiment.
The Visually Coupled Acquisition Targeting System (VCATS) was initiated by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Combat Command (ACC) to perform the risk reduction activities for developing a helmet-mounted tracker/display (HMT/D) in the air-to-air engagement arena. VCATS started as a one-year Operational Utility Evaluation (OUE) at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), but expanded into a seven-year OUE, examining the human performance issues and the operational impacts of using an HMT/D for aircrews (See Figure 1). The VCATS system was designed and built with foresight and flexibility to allow upgrades more easily as technology and operational concepts evolved. This paper will trace this evolution of the VCATS system through initial design concept, system upgrades, technology transitions, and lessons learned.
Fighter aircrews are taking large amounts of paper and other mission essential peripherals into the cockpit for each flight. The aircrews must find places to store these items and be able to access the required information in minimal time. Programs have been initiated to put tablet personal computers (PCs)/digital kneeboards into the cockpit, but due to bulk, ejection risks and sunlight readability issues, these devices have not been transitioned to fighter aircrews. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been tasked to develop a system using a helmet-mounted display, input device, and computer to solve some of the PC tablet issues-and do it quickly. AFRL was directed to conduct an Operational Utility Evaluation (OUE) to determine the usability of the Little High-end Airborne Laptop (Lil HAL) system (Figure 1). Before the OUE could occur, a safety evaluation of the Lil HAL system had to be completed with a receipt of a safe-to-fly clearance. This paper discusses the safety testing that occurred to receive the safety-of-flight clearance.
The wide field of view night vision goggles (WNVG) are the next generation of night vision goggles (NVGs). They have a significantly increased horizontal field of view and a weight similar to the current AN/AVS-9, which only has a 40 degree circular field-of-view (FOV). Due to complicated optics and weight issues, the WNVG will have a fixed-focus eyepiece; this is different from the AN/AVS-9 (Figure 1), which has a continuously adjustable +2.0 to -6.0 diopter (D) range for each eyepiece. Site visits were made to several Special Operations Squadrons to survey aircrew members about the WNVG with a fixed-focus eyepiece and optional clip-on lenses. This paper addresses aircrew acceptance of the use of snap-on/helper lenses in place of continuously adjustable eyepieces.
The Panoramic Night Vision Goggle (PNVG) has begun operational test and evaluation with its 100-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical field of view (FOV) on different aircraft and at different locations. Two configurations of the PNVG are being evaluated. The first configuration design (PNVG I) is very low in profile and fits underneath a visor. PNVG I can be retained by the pilot during ejection. This configuration is interchangeable with a day helmet mounted tracker and display through a standard universal connector. The second configuration (PNVG II) resembles the currently fielded 40-degree circular FOV Aviator Night Vision Imaging Systems (ANVIS) and is designed for non-ejection seat aircraft and ground applications. Pilots completed subjective questionnaires after each flight to compare the capability of the 100-degree horizontal by 40-degree vertical PNVG to the 40-degree circular ANVIS across different operational tasks. This paper discusses current findings and pilot feedback from the flight trials objectives of the next phase of the PNVG program are also discussed.
The use of Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD) and lasers is becoming widespread throughout the world. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Helmet-Mounted Sensory Technologies (HMST) program is currently studying the effects incorporating the various laser eye protection (LEP) technologies into HMD technologies. LEP technologies currently available are absorptive organic dyes or reflective filters such as holograms or dielectric stacks. Because of the overall reduction in light transmittance and selective spectral filtering characteristics of various LEP technologies, compatibility with HMD technologies, and, ultimately, aircrew acceptance must be addressed. This paper will discuss some of the HMST requirements needed to perform adequate LEP and maintain HMD performance. This paper will also include a review of different approaches being studied to meet those requirements.
The use of Helmet-Mounted Trackers and Displays (HMT/Ds) is becoming widespread for air-to-air, within visual range target acquisition; however these systems have physiological limitations. The Air Force Research Laboratory Helmet- Mounted Sensory Technologies (HMST) program is currently studying the use of eye trackers to cue High Off Boresight Angle missiles. The development and implementation of an eye tracker can eliminate the problems of limited head motion under high gravitational forces. This paper will discuss some of the HMST requirements needed to perform eye tracking for air-to-air targeting to complement HMT/Ds performance. This paper will also include a review of the different approaches being studied to meet those requirements.
Current Air Force aircraft, such as the F-15 and F-16, and future aircraft, have a need to leverage improving technologies such as helmet-mounted trackers and displays (HMT/Ds) to maintain superior air combat capability in future conflicts. HMT/Ds can allow the pilot to point weapons and to quickly slew sensors at short visual range targets in either an air-to-air or air-to-ground environment. Flight and weapons parameters commonly displayed on ahead-up display can be provided on HMT/Ds, allowing the pilot to remain 'head out' of the cockpit for longer time periods while maintaining better situational awareness. If the hMT/D systems are designed and then tested early, the result can then be used to transfer technology, and reduce risk, for follow-on programs such as the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.
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