NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Flight evaluation of a computer aided low-altitude helicopter flight guidance systemThe 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.
Document ID
19930019680
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Swenson, Harry N.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Jones, Raymond D.
(Army Avionics Research and Development Activity Fort Monmouth, NJ., United States)
Clark, Raymond
(Army Avionics Research and Development Activity Fort Monmouth, NJ., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: AGARD, Combat Automation for Airborne Weapon Systems: Man(Machine Interface Trends and Technologies
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Accession Number
93N28869
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available