Machine-Aided Launch Configuration Monitor (MALCM) for Remote Flightdeck Operations

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes a Machine-Aided Launch Configuration Monitor (MALCM) system for monitoring Jet Blast Deflectors (JBDs) and establishing aircraft weight during a launch sequence, improving flightdeck safety and minimizing impact to in-service platforms. To achieve this, a combination of robust thermal imaging, custom display hardware, networked data transfer, and an intuitive graphical user interface is proposed. The solution is a novel, mil-spec-hardened, compact, and light-weight vehicle design, which optimally capitalizes on the existing JBD infrastructure and carrier flightdeck procedures, and is reconfigurable for different aircraft and various launch operations. Additionally, the MALCM architecture is expandable as the need for flight deck automation, ship-wide information networking, and manpower reduction grows. PSI will leverage its past and ongoing efforts in flightdeck simulation and automation, machine vision, and Mil-Spec ship-board networking hardware to bring the MALCM system to the fleet with minimum technical risk and maximum acceptance into carrier flight operations.