RPA Pilots Closer to Airborne Thanks to DynaMan

  • Published
  • By Dr. Guy French
  • 711th Human Performance Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilots will fly like they're airborne thanks to a system that provides an enhanced ability to dynamically maneuver the plane. The Air Force Research Laboratory is developing the system, logically named the Dynamic Maneuvering operator interface and informally known as "DynaMan."

Many Air Force missions require quick responses from pilots and maximum performance from aircraft. In the case of traditionally piloted aircraft, pilots move the stick and throttle and receive immediate feedback from the aircraft and environment. For Remotely Piloted Aircraft, the control loop is not as direct. During operations beyond the line of sight, there is currently a delay of about 1.8 seconds between the pilot's control input and system feedback -- the operator does not see the result of control input for nearly 2.0 seconds.

Two of the most important pieces of information used by pilots in flight are the state of the aircraft (a plane's orientation and energy, such as altitude, airspeed and course), and the frame of reference (the horizon or direction of motion). This 1.8-second lag inhibits a pilot's ability to perform precise maneuvers at a moment's notice.

With DynaMan, the pilot enters the desired control inputs using the familiar stick and throttle. The control station sends these inputs to the aircraft and to the simulations, and both destinations execute the control inputs upon receipt. The simulation displays the instantaneous response of the simulated aircraft and the virtual world, allowing for smoother control of the vehicle. The aircraft response is received 2.0 seconds later and is compared to the simulation response. Any differences are applied to the simulation, bringing it in line with what actually happened.

In manned aircraft, the real world acts as the frame of reference for pilots. The RPA frame of reference is currently displayed as a narrow field of view of the real world - like looking through a straw. Addressing this impairment, DynaMan incorporates offboard datalink information that tells the pilot about objects surrounding the aircraft in airspace, such as clouds and other aircraft, providing pilots with a 360-degree view. The datalink information is currently simulated, but there are plans to begin feeding live datalink information into the system for evaluation.