RPV Operator Performance with Various Flight Control Systems during a Simulated Target Approach.
Abstract
Operator performance was studied during the simulated target approach phase of an operator-controlled remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) mission. Ten performance parameters were computed as a function of controller type (Self-Organizing, Linear Proportional, Bang-Bang), display delay (0, 0.5 sec, 1 sec), initial cross-track error (1320, 2640, 3690 ft) and type of controller feedback (rate or position). The results of the study showed: (1) a significant advantage of rate feedback over position feedback in most performance measures particularly distance to target at the end of the run. Position feedback allowed small target miss distances for all display delays while rate feedback showed sharply increasing miss distances for delays greater than 0.5 sec; (2) that the self-organizing controller, while showing about the same performance under normal flight conditions, showed significant superiority over conventional autopilots in strongly gusting winds. Such improved performance should always be expected whenever strong deviations from normal equilibrium conditions take place. Realistic scenarios for such conditions will be investigated in a follow-on study. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA029004
Entities
People
- Mark W. Cannon Jr.
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory