A Fidelity Analysis Tool for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Training Systems

In many cases, flight simulator quality is equated to the physical characteristics of hardware/software contained within a system. In conjunction with this practice; the term ¡fidelity¡" is often used to express the compiled performance of various simulator components. In view of these comparisons between mechanical parameters and software performance (for determination of simulator quality) it¡~!@s not unusual that fidelity requirements are often based upon how much technology an organization can afford, instead of assessing the level of technology needed for an optimal training experience (Roza, 1999). Rather than base fidelity requirements solely upon inanimate parameters (optical, mechanical, and piezoelectric) SDS proposes development of objective human compatibility (bioengineering) standards for a more insightful definition of simulator fidelity. To achieve this goal, specific aeromedical parameters will be integrated into bioengineering standards that define the level of compatibility between inanimate simulator components and human perceptual-cognition systems. Specifically, SDS proposes development of simulator fidelity standards based upon known bandwidths of aviation biometrics that are related to sensory and cognitive functions. Among the variables planned for testing are aviation-sensory-spatial-reflexes (e.g., opto-kinetic cervical reflex, torsional opto-kinetic nystagmus, and vestibular ocular reflex shifts) and stick control bandwidths defined by the frequency weighted task complexity index.