Modifications to Optimize the AH-1Z Human Machine Interface

Abstract

The AH-1Z provides the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander with a capable attack helicopter to utilize in the joint warfighting environment. Increasing its capability on the battlefield by increasing aircrew situational awareness and minimizing the risk associated with operating in degraded visual environment are essential to instill confidence in the commander. Marine Helicopter Light Attack (HMLA) squadrons are in the process of transitioning to the AH-1Z Viper from its predecessor, the AH-1W Super Cobra. The AH-1Z provides aircrew with an enormous capability shift in terms of how information is provided to the operator by providing a cockpit that is under-glass. Mechanical flight instruments have yielded to digital flight displays that have increased the amount of information that is presented to aircrew at any one time. This increase in information capability has increased systems functionality in the aircraft. With an increase in the functionality comes an increase in task load for aircrew unless the human machine interface (HMI) is streamlined. Without a streamlined or optimized HMI aircrew situational awareness is degraded because of an excessive mental workload. The HMI should be optimized to afford aircrew the appropriate situational awareness in all operating environments. It should be designed to maximize aircrew efficiency, effectiveness, and safety by providing at-a-glance information critical to mission success and safe employment of the aircraft. In order to accomplish this, a complete workload study of tasks performed by aircrew in the AH-1Z must be completed in the near future in order to understand design flaws and guide future design and integration of increased capability. Additionally, employment of material solutions to provide aircrew with the appropriate situational awareness under all operating conditions is detrimental to the safety of the aircrew and aircraft.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 18, 2013
Accession Number
ADA601786

Entities

People

  • Chad P. Hamilton

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Workload
  • Flight Instruments
  • Helicopters
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Human-Machine Interfaces
  • Military Aircraft
  • Motor Skills
  • Psychology
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Situational Awareness
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.