A Limited Evaluation of an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System for Performance Limited Aircraft (Project Have MEDUSA)

Abstract

This report documents results for testing a system for real-time automatic ground collision avoidance for performance limited aircraft, under the project name Have Multi-path Escape Decisions Using Sophisticated Algorithms (Have MEDUSA). Testing was requested by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The lead developmental test organization was the Air Force Test Center, Edwards AFB, California. The executing test organization was Class 18A of the USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB. Testing was conducted from 5 September 2018 to 18 September 2018 and comprised of 2 ground test hours and 11 sorties totaling 19.9 flight test hours. Overall, the RSET system was assessed to be MARGINAL. The RSET system performance demonstrated the utility of using a multi-path collision avoidance system for performance limited aircraft. Path prediction error (PPE) did not meet the specified criteria and was larger than expected for the 30-second path predictions; however, at the maximum refresh rate of 12.5 Hz, the RSET system ensured terrain clearance in all cases tested. Incorrect accounting for wind drift effects, the Learjet VSS auto-trim feature, and the low fidelity engine model were possible sources of PPE. The test team recommended the main sources of PPE be determined prior to further testing. Despite the simple design of the control logic, the RSET system was able to achieve and maintain target load factor and flight path angle with momentary overshoots. The system showed no tendency for nuisance activations. The response was deemed favorable in most cases and could be utilized as a baseline for future Auto-GCAS implementations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 07, 2018
Accession Number
AD1136133

Entities

People

  • Carl A. Gotwald
  • Kenneth C. Gahan
  • Mark A. Hammond
  • Michael A. Bakun
  • Ryan S. Kolesar
  • Shannon M. Jian Ming

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Altitude
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Collision Avoidance Systems
  • Control Surfaces
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detectors
  • Developmental Tests
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • Military Research
  • Reliability
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • United States
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers