Determining fidelity standards for the shipboard launch and recovery task

Abstract

Fidelity standards are required for simulation of shiphelicopter launch and recovery flight envelope testing. A process is proposed to determine appropriate standards in which simulation fidelity is measured by decomposing the overall system into constituent elements and estimating fidelity standards for each element. The estimated standards are confirmed by conducting launch and recovery maneuvers in a simulator and comparing the results against flight test. The application of the process by the Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP) Dynamic Interface Modeling and Simulation System (DIMSS) is presented. A ship/helicopter simulation was built for DIMSS at the Vertical Motion Simulator, NASA Ames, comprising models and subsystems that were selected by using estimated fidelity standards. Shipboard flight tasks were conducted for varying simulation fidelity levels and results were compared against an extensive validation database, collected during at-sea tests using an instrumented UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter aboard an LHA class ship. The selection of appropriate metrics with which to characterize subsystem and overall simulation fidelity is discussed, and examples of comparisons with flight test data are presented. The interdependency of individual models and subsystems and the necessity to develop task-specific fidelity standards are emphasized.

Simulation of Helicopter Shipboard Launch and Recovery with Time-Accurate Airwakes

“…A number of recent research programs have also focused on the simulation of helicopter flight dynamics during shipboard operations, with the goal of assessing handling qualities and pilot workload. The Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP) has been applied to increase the interoperability of joint shipboard helicopter operations for helicopters that are not specifically designed to go aboard Navy ships [13,14,15]. JSHIP is evaluating the compatibility, and procedures and training issues associated with integrating ARMY and Air Force helicopters with Navy ships.…”

Simulation of Pilot Control Activity During Helicopter Shipboard Operations

“…However, some limited qualitative and quantitative comparisons can be made with the published data of Roscoe and Wilkinson. 13,14 When establishing WOD envelopes, the U.S. Navy uses a subjective rating system called the Deck Interface Pilot Effort Scale (DIPES). The DIPES rating describes the pilot workload in relation to the level of performance achieved, where DIPES 1 indicates slight to moderate workload and DIPES 5 represents extreme workload.…”

“…A number of recent research programs have also focused on the simulation of helicopter flight dynamics during shipboard operations, with the goal of assessing handling qualities and pilot workload. [13][14][15][16] The Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP) has been applied to increase the interoperability of joint shipboard helicopter operations for helicopters that are not specifically designed to go aboard Navy ships . 13,14 As a part of JSHIP, the Dynamic Interface Modeling and Simulation System (DIMSS) was established to define and evaluate a process for developing WOD flight envelops.…”

“…[13][14][15][16] The Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP) has been applied to increase the interoperability of joint shipboard helicopter operations for helicopters that are not specifically designed to go aboard Navy ships . 13,14 As a part of JSHIP, the Dynamic Interface Modeling and Simulation System (DIMSS) was established to define and evaluate a process for developing WOD flight envelops. Using DIMMS, the fidelity standards for the shipboard launch and recovery task has been discussed for combination of an LHA class ship and a UH-60.…”

“…Using DIMMS, the fidelity standards for the shipboard launch and recovery task has been discussed for combination of an LHA class ship and a UH-60. 14 Over the last several decades, the extensive effort in developing feedback control theory has also proven to be quite useful in quantifying control-related human behavior. 17, The so-called "crossover model" employs classical control methods to model human feedback control of SISO systems.…”