Utility Evaluation Of A Helmet-Mounted Display And Sight

Abstract

Helmet mounted displays have been advocated for use in high performance aircraft for several years. One such system uses a magnetic sensor embedded in a helmet to detect head movement and presents information tailored to the current head position on the helmet visor. A Helmet-Mounted Display and Sight (HMDS) system of this type, designed and developed by the Kaiser Electronics Company, was evaluated in piloted simulation at the McDonnell Aircraft Company in April and May of 1987. These studies were sponsored by the Human Engineering Division of The Armstrong Aeromedical Research Laboratory under their Vista Saber program.For these studies, four USAF pilots evaluated the HMDS in one hundred simulated air combat engagements. Approximately half the engagements were conducted using the HMDS and half with the display turned off. The simulated engagements were chosen to be representative of major types of Air Force missions and included air combat within as well as outside visual contact with the threat.These engagements were conducted against both manned and computer -controlled threats.The tactical utility of HMDS was evaluated using data collected during these simulated engagements. The data collected included subjective pilot workload data; performance data taken to indicate changes in weapons employment, sensor usage and mission success; and pilot comments. This paper will describe these tests and discuss the results obtained.1.

A history of helmet mounted displays

“…Israel, sensing the threat, initiated a fast-paced program that deployed the Elbit DASH HMD for off-axis targeting of the Rafael Python 4 missile in 1993-94. 8 Two studies -Vista Sabre 9 and Vista Sabre II 10 -demonstrated that an HMD can act as force multiplier for a pilot targeting with missiles over one using only his HUD. The results of these studies and post-Berlin Wall air-to-air exercises in 1994 demonstrated the close-combat capabilities of the HMD-equipped MiG-29, 11 …”

Design Issues for Helmet-Mounted Display Systems for Rotary-Wing Aviation.

“…The HMD performs one or more of the following functions: (a) To display pilotage or gunnery imagery from I2 or FLIR sensors, (b) To present strategical, tactical, and operational data on demand, serving as an information management system, and (c) To sense head/eye position and motion for the purpose of designating targets, directing sensors and weapons, and activating switches (Buchroeder, 1987). In general, well designed HMDs should enhance aviator situational awareness and increase mission effectiveness (Arbak, 1989). The modem HMD is not a new concept.…”