Integrated Mission Precision Attack Cockpit Technology (IMPACT). Phase 2. Cueing Benefits Of Large Tactical Situation Displays, Helmet-Mounted Displays. and Directional Audio.

The Wright Laboratory has initiated a program called the Integrated MissionPrecision Attack Cockpit Technology IMPACT program, whose purpose is to determine cockpit and Pilot-Vehicle Interface PVl requirements for a single-seat, multi-role fighter aircraft performing at night and in adverse weather. A structured systems engineering process is being utilized to focus on the conceptual phase of cockpit development. In support of this, Veda has employed a building block approach consisting of a literature review, design work, missionhuman factors analysis, and pilot-in-the-loop simulation. The focus of this evaluatton was on the integration of Helmet-Mounted Displays HMD, Large Tactical Situation Displays TSD, and Directional Audio to aid the pilot in threat and target acquisition functions that are currently supported by a second crewmember. In order to understand the effects of integrating such technologies in a fighter aircraft cockpit, the F-15E weapon system was used as a baseline for comparison. A portion of a full mission simulation was developed and executed, and required a single pilot to fly an air interdiction mission using both the baseline cockpit and the advanced IMPACT cockpit. Results indicated a significant improvement in threat acquisition time and threat acquisition success rate, and a slight improvement in target acquisition, with the IMPACT cockpit.