Minimum Simulation Cues required for the Rotorcraft Shipboard Landing

The technical objective of the Phase I effort described herein is to determine whether a "virtual" improvement in the E-2C aircraft flying qualities in the carrier environment can be achieved by having the pilot use a head-up display (HUD). In order to accomplish this objective, existing military and civilian HUD technology will be surveyed to determine what might be available for use in the existing E-2C cockpit without major airframe interruptions. At least three candidate systems will be selected for presentation, with their particular rationales, in report format. The Phase I work plan will assay the merits of a head-up display (HUD) for the E-2C in terms of six key display characteristics: (1) identification of critical mission phase(s) and tasks, (2) the elements of the display, (3) the display content, (4) the display format, (5) the symboloby, and (6) cost/feasibility assessment of most promising HUD systems. This technical approach employs closed-loop analysis of the pilot's tasks associated with a specific vehicle operational profile or mission phase. The resulting multiloop feedback (and feedforward) structures reveal, in detail, not only the content, format, and dynamic properties of essential pilot information requirements but also appropriate piloting control techniques, which can be helpful in training as well as in predicting flying qualities.