Intuitive, High Confidence Human-Machine Interface Symbology for Carrier Landing

Perhaps the most critical task facing a naval fixed-wing aviator is recovery to an aircraft carrier that is underway and that is pitching, rolling, and heaving with sea state. Confounding this already difficult task is the potential for a degraded visual environment in which the key guidance and situational awareness cues may no longer be present. To address the need for enhanced display guidance in reduced visibility conditions, a team led by Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) developed the Jet Aircraft Shipboard landing Man-machine Interface for Naval Environments (JASMINE), which combines advanced flight director modes and head-up display (HUD) symbology with the NAVAIR-developed Maritime Augmented Guidance and Integrated Controls for Carrier Approach and Recovery Precision Enabling Technologies (MAGIC CARPET) precision control modes to guide the pilot to a safe landing regardless of visibility conditions or sea state. Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, Phase I and Phase II (including Option) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs were conducted that developed, assessed, and refined JASMINE for the F/A-18E/F/G as a target platform. The objective of this proposed Phase II.5 program is to build upon the results thus far to realize a JASMINE prototype that can be integrated with a primary flight display (PFD) that is compatible with the E-2D platform and the MAGIC PROP improved landing mode. For this program, it is assumed that JASMINE will be coupled with a Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) or other landing guidance system that provides ship-referenced location information to provide safe carrier recoveries in severely degraded visual environments to zero-zero. Further, the proposed Phase II.5 Option will address advanced PFD symbology and guidance to enhance E-2D aerial refueling capabilities.