N132-133 TITLE: Advanced Helo Display for Zero-Zero Shipboard Landings

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Shipboard Automated Launch and Recovery System (SALRS) INP-LA program.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate cockpit head-down display symbology that will enable a helicopter pilot to safely, efficiently and easily land on a moving ship deck without outside visual cues.

DESCRIPTION: The technical challenges are: (1) provide display symbology that is easily interpretable for rapid and low workload pilot response, and that is unambiguous and confidence inspiring; (2) take into account the maneuverability of a helicopter representative of the MH-60R/S, and the response time of a pilot; (3) provide guidance to a pilot to bring the helicopter onto the flight deck so that the helicopter and ship motions at touchdown are synchronized; (4) provide continuous and appropriate indication of limits and safety margins; (5) utilize a display representative of those in existing MH-60R/S helicopters. Assume that accurate relative navigation between the ship and the aircraft is available. Explore the need for lead time and accuracy in deck motion prediction by varying these two parameters and analyzing the results. Demonstrations include piloted simulation (Phase I) and landing of an RC helicopter onto a moving platform by a pilot with no visual observation of the helicopter or the platform (Phase II).

PHASE I: Define approaches to developing helicopter flight director/pilot guidance symbology for degraded visual environments or other limited visibility landing approaches. Develop proof of concept symbology using a display representative of an advanced military helicopter multi-function head-down display. Assume that the following information is available in the helicopter:

1. Aircraft state
2. Accurate (within 1 ft spherical error probable) relative position from a small deck naval ship (destroyer or frigate) landing area
3. Ship deck motion with 50 msec of lag
4. Ship graphic model data or photographic templates

Develop a conceptual design of the display symbology and demonstrate feasibility in simulation using an available pilot station, helicopter model, and moving landing platform model. Key metrics are deck motion and pilot workload.

PHASE II: Refine the symbology and data display. Conduct pilot surveys and simulation events to get feedback on and improve the design. Incorporate a helicopter and ship model representative of the MH-60R/S Seahawk and the DDG-51 destroyer, and an airwake model into the simulation and demonstrate feasibility. Conduct a flight demonstration using a remote controlled model helicopter (at least 4 ft. rotor diameter) landing on a platform moving in pitch, roll, and heave, flown by a pilot with no visual observation of the helicopter or the landing platform. Key metrics are deck motion, time to land, and pilot workload.

PHASE III: Conduct a flight demonstration using a manned helicopter landing on a moving platform representative of the DDG-51. Display configuration and relative navigation systems will be representative of or the same as those in use or being developed for use by Naval MH-60 helicopters. Ultimately, the capability will be offered for transition to the PMA-299 Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopter Program Office for incorporation in fleet MH-60's.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This capability could be used for helicopter landings in degraded visual environments on oil platforms and commercial ships, as well as shore-based sites.

REFERENCES:
1. Evaluation of DVE landing display formats; Hans-Ullrich Doehler; Patrizia M. Knabl; Sven Schmerwitz; Thorsten Eger; Ofer Klein; Proc. SPIE 8360, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications IX, 83600P (May 1, 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.922459

2. BAE systems brownout landing aid system technology (BLAST) system overview and flight test results; Brian Sykora; Proc. SPIE 8360, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications IX, 83600M (May 1, 2012); doi:10.1117/12.918506

KEYWORDS: helicopter; sea-based; landing; display; pilot; shipboard

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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