(DURIP) INTELLIGENT TACTICAL AUTOPILOT TO ADVANCE BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RELIANCE AND TEAMING IN MIXED HUMAN-MACHINE TEAMS
Abstract
This DURIP seeks to purchase an autopilot system with an open control interface and architecture forintegration into the L-29 Flight Test Aircraft of the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory(OPL). The autopilot kit is made by Collins Aerospace and comprises of the following components- 1).SVO-5000 Smart Servos for elevator, aileron, rudder, and throttle, 2). REU-6000 High Integrity AutopilotComputer and Shape Monitor, 3). AHC-4000 Attitude and Heading Reference, 4). ADC-3020 Air DataComputer, and 5). GPS-4000S.This configuration will collectively be referred to as the Intelligent TacticalAutopilot (ITAP). The purpose of the ITAP is to affect the legacy flight control linkages of the OPL L-29research aircraft through an open interface that can be connected to a General Purpose Processor(computer). This interface enables the legacy airframe to perform autonomous flight modes for use in flighttest research of mixed human-automation teams. The envisioned flight tests will always be conducted witha rated pilot onboard, acting in the role of a Safety Pilot (SP). To ensure straightforward airworthinesscertification, the DURIP ITAP components and software are flight grade certified avionics and areconfigured to ensure that the system is fail-passive and safe for the onboard pilot(s). A close variant of thisconfiguration was provided by Collins to Aurora Flight Sciences for integration in the AACUS UH-1aircraft. The DURIP ITAP has dual lane redundancy, features provisions for configurable aircraft envelopeprotection, and has a dual-redundant shape monitor that ensures that dangerous or invalid commands cannotbe executed by the servos. The DURIP ITAP features numerous methods for rapid disconnection throughsoftware guards, pilot disconnect switches, electrical clutches, power disconnect, and shear-pins.Conventional autopilots are closed systems that cannot typically be interfaced to research controlalgorithms. Those autopilots have built-in modes to perform gentle maneuvers commonly associated withinstrument flight procedures. This limits their utility for the type of research needed under the trust andinfluence pillar. The DURIP ITAP is specifically designed with an open command interface and approachesfull envelope authority in all axes. The DURIP ITAP will expand the already significant researchinstrumentation of our L-29 flight test aircraft and will make it the first such airborne testbed to supportongoing and future DoD research projects.Currently, there are no airborne testbeds available with an open architecture autopilot such as the DURIPITAP and which have comprehensive integrated human-behavioral research equipment. The OPL L-29aircraft are already equipped with a comprehensive suite of physiological and flight state monitoringequipment to measure behavioral metrics of the aircrew during tactically relevant maneuvers. These aircraftalso have an F-35 Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and a large format Head-Down Display (HDD) touchscreen to study and analyze aircrew behavior throughout dynamic maneuvering envelopes in a real-worldairborne context. OPL’s aircraft also have simulated weapons models that are adjucated in live flight andwhich can be employed by the human aircrew and-or autonomous agents.What the aircraft are currently lacking is an autopilot with an open interface that can be used to close-theloopwith on and off board control agents. Adding this autopilot to our already heavily instrumented L-29flight test aircraft will provide unique and cost-effective assets that can be employed by DoD, industry, andacademia to conduct this foundational behavioral research in a realistic and safe manner.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110306
Entities
People
- Thomas Schnell
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Iowa