Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

Technological advances have made possible the development of system capabilities which allow more effective weapon system operation under difficult conditions, such as low altitude, high speed, night and all weather. Higher levels of technology integration and combat automation are now becoming essential to enable the pilot to accomplish the critical functions of flight path control, threat management, navigation, attack engagement and weapon system management. Several emerging technologies are now beginning to spawn major innovations in aircraft design, through the use of combat automation concepts. These technologies carry significant implications in respect of pilot workload, situational awareness, crew station controls and displays, and automated system functions including integrity management. Effective and efficient harmonisation of this total weapon system, which must also achieve the essential features of pilot acceptability and safety, is critically dependent on the pilot/vehicle interface. This symposium sought to address these critical issues of combat automation and the man-machine interface. In particular, it considered the major implications and trade-offs involved in varying levels of airframe and weapon systems sophistication and such fundamental choices as that of single seat versus two seat operation. Keywords: Display systems; Head up displays; Aircrew protective headgear; Fire control systems; Cockpit controls.