Test_Plan_for_CHMD_Demonstration_Flights_14_Apr_2016.pdf

CHMD Test Plan 14 April 2016

AIR SOLDIER SYSTEM

DEMONSTRATION TEST FLIGHTS OF CANDIDATE

COMMON HELMET MOUNTED DISPLAY

Released 14 April 2016

1. INTRODUCTION.

a. Background. The Product Manager Air Warrior (PM AW) is interested in com m on helmet mounted display (CHMD) systems designed to show aviators mission and flight information in heads-up configuration as part of the Air Soldier System (AirSS). PM AW is o f fe r ing in te res ted vendors the oppor tun i t y f o r to assess the i r CHMD v ia a i rc ra f t g round and f l igh t tes ts . This test will be conducted by Redstone Test Center with information from the assessment provided to PM AW and vendors.

b. Test Objective. The objective of this test is to conduct a physical cockpit compatibility assessment of candidate CHMDs in the UH-60L aircraft. The assessment includes flight operation by RTC test pilots while wearing the CHMD. PM AW intends to provide assessment information to contractor participants to allow contractors to gather information on their candidate solution’s integration and operation with the Air Soldier System Heads-up Display and Tracking System (HDTS).

c. Description. The CHMD is an electro-optical unit that mounts to the aviator’s flight helmet and displays symbology. Each candidate CHMD is designed to provide pilots a heads-up display and eyes out of the cockpit capability. The symbology displayed on the C HMD will include aircraft performance parameters, navigational flight information, and flight information such as airspeed, groundspeed, altitude, and heading from the aircraft systems. The symbology displayed on the CHMD will be generated by the AirSS Advanced Sight and Display Computer (ASDC).

d. Test Scope. This test will be conducted at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center, Huntsville, AL in a UH-60L (U.S. Army serial number 01-26878). Testing will include ground and flight physical compatibility assessments of candidate CHMDs. Two to three flights of approximately 30 minutes each will be conducted during day and night, visual meteorological conditions. The scope of this test will be limited to assessing physical cockpit compatibility and visual characteristics of the candidate C HMDs. Assessing the ability of the pilot to use the symbology for the performance of flight tasks or the accuracy of the CHMD symbols are not within the scope of this test. Test personnel will include military air crewmen and Department of the Army civilians and Government support contractors. Soldier-operator/-maintainer test and evaluation personnel will not be used during this test.

2. DETAILS OF TEST.

a. General. Testing will include ground cockpit compatibility and emergency egress assessments and also compatibility assessments during flight.

b. Specific Tests.

(1) GROUND COCKPIT COMPATIBILITY.

(a) Two participants will complete cockpit compatibility testing in a UH-60L while wearing the C H M D . Participant selection will include aviators who wear spectacles. Participants will assess their ability to view instruments/displays through the CHMD. Particular attention will be focused on physical compatibility and the impact of the C HMD restricting pilot field-of-view (FOV) and/or field of regard. Assessments will be conducted regarding the ability of pilots to clearly view and reach all required aircraft system controls and mission equipment controls that are within the various reach zones defined in MIL-STD-1333B. Cockpit compatibility assessments will be repeated for each candidate CHMD. Participant comments and test personnel observations will be recorded after each event.

(b) Two participants will assess donning and doffing the CHMD in the pilot and copilot stations of the UH-60L aircraft. The test participant will be seated in each aviator station in a simulated flight condition with the seat belt and other equipment connected. The participant will attempt to install and adjust the CHMD in preparation for flight. Participants will don the aviator’s night vision imaging system (ANVIS) while wearing standard flight gloves (National Stock Number 8415-01-040- 1453). The donning/doffing assessment will be completed for each candidate CHMD.

(c) Night Vision Goggle Compatibility. Two test participants will assess CHMD/ANVIS compatibility while wearing the AirSS flight helmet, CHMD, ANVIS, and protective mask. Each participant will adjust the C HMD IAW v e n d o r p r o v i d e d instructions. The eye clearance (i.e., the distance from the apex of the cornea of the eye to the closest part of the CHMD lens) will be measured to the nearest millimeter using a modified close-up lens mounted to a linear scale.

The participant will then don the ANVIS and adjust for full Field of View (FOV) IAW the ANVIS Operator’s Manual. The ANVIS eye clearance (i.e., the distance from the apex of the cornea of the eye to the closest part of the housing of the ANVIS eyepiece mount) will be measured to the nearest millimeter. The participants will then don the protective mask, C HMD, and ANVIS and determine if a full FOV is available in the C HMD and ANVIS. The ability or inability to properly position and adjust the CHMD and ANVIS for use will be noted. The ANVIS eye clearance distance will be used to calculate the approximate FOV afforded by the night vision goggles (NVG). The formula for this calculation is Y = -0.56(X) + 53.7, where Y = FOV (deg), X = ANVIS eye clearance (mm) (ref 1g).

(2) EMERGENCY EGRESS. Two participants will complete emergency egress assessments from pilot and copilot stations in the UH-60L aircraft. Assessments will be conducted with participants wearing AirSS combat basic ensemble and the CHMD. Each participant will assess their ability to access primary exits and emergency escape hatches (jettison handles) from each crew position. Each participant will complete a series of three egress demonstrations from the cockpit crewstations.

Problems associated with AirSS components and participant comments will be recorded and included in the final report.

(3) FLIGHT ASSESSMENT. Flight testing will be conducted upon completion of ground aircraft compatibility and emergency egress assessments. Any system compatibility issues that are judged to be a hazard during ground compatibility testing will be mitigated or eliminated before flight testing. One day flight and one night-aided flight will be flown to assess physical compatibility and visual characteristics of each candidate CHMD. All flight tests will be conducted in visual meteorological conditions with a visible horizon. During the assessment, pilots will not rely on information displayed in the CHMD for aircraft control.

During flight, pilots will assess each candidate CHMD for completeness, clarity, contrast, brightness, focal distance, and reflections. Pilots will assess the available CHMD FOV and the ability to scan through the displays, both inside and outside the cockpit. Each candidate CHMD will be assessed during day flights before night flight assessments. Flight tasks will consist of standard flight tasks including those listed in Table 1. After each flight, pilots will complete a human factors engineering questionnaire.

Item Flight Tasks ATM* Task

1 Hover Power Check 1028

2 Ground Taxi 1034

3 Hovering Flight 1038 4 Visual Meteorological Conditions Takeoff 1040 5 Visual Meteorological Conditions Approach 1058 6 Slope Operations 1062

7 Respond to Emergencies 1070 8 Terrain Flight 2026

9 Terrain Flight Deceleration 2036 10 Before Starting Engine Through Before Leaving

Table 1. UH-60L Flight Tasks

*ATM – aircrew training manual

(4) SYSTEM SAFETY. RTC will track hazards during the ground and flights. Any hazard assessment as a result of ground evaluations may result in a caution or test restriction. All known safety hazards shall be properly controlled. Identified safety controls will be reviewed and verified before testing begins.

3. PRE and POST TEST

a. General. The contractor will not be allowed on the aircraft but will be allowed at the RTC airfield, given the proper visitor information is provided and the personnel receives clearance to the test location. The contractor is limited to no more than four personnel at the airfield.

Note that an approved foreign visit request is required for any foreign participants.

b. Equipment. Table 2 delineates the equipment to be used in the ground and flight demonstration and the party responsible for providing the item.

Item Responsibility Comments CHMD with connector Vendor Must be approved to SOF requirements Helmet Mounting Hardware Vendor Must be approved to SOF requirements Helmet Government Will include mounting holes on the right ear dome for side mounted CHMDs and will include NVG mount

AN/VIS NVG and mount Government Mount will be on helmet Mask (M-45) Government Quick Disconnect A/C Cable Government Runs from A/C to CHMD connector Table 2. Test Equipment Responsibility

c. Results. After flights the test participants will provide a de-briefing of their assessment of the candidate CHMD. RTC will provide a written report to PM AW. PM AW will provide the report to the vendor; however, the report may not be provided until 30 to 45 days after the test.