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Original Date: 08/07/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Best Practice : Flight Control Simulation Laboratory
(equipment: Harris, Encore, and SGI simulation stations; multiple host computer systems; AD100 and FPS5000 processors; and multipurpose computer graphics systems such as E&S, SGI, and TRABIT)
Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems (LMTAS) established an extensive Flight Simulation Laboratory and developed supporting project teams to interface with end users and customers. The Flight Simulation Laboratory provides a virtual interface for the evaluation of present and future aircraft operation.
The $100M Flight Simulation Laboratory is housed within a 112,000-square foot area. The environmentally- controlled lab contains 22 simulators for six major aircraft systems (F-22, F-16, F-111, AFTI, VISTA and the Joint Advanced Strike Technology program). The laboratory also contains multiple host computer systems, special purpose processors, multipurpose computer graphic systems, 13 digital visual image processors, and digital databases for Fulda Gap (Germany), Edwards Air Force Base, Nellis Air Force Base, and Kantchatka. The Flight Simulation Laboratory has a variety of tools to support the design process including seven Concept Development Stations with reconfigurable cockpit stations for the F-16. Each has a 30× by 40× visual projection (one or three channels).
These stations are operated at low cost with quick reaction modification for early design concept evaluations. Software is also transportable to other simulators.
Among the stations:
Each Air-to-Ground Dome Station contains a cockpit setup inside a 24-foot diameter dome. The projection system features six projectors with a field of view of 240× horizontal by 115× vertical and full mission capability, pilot training, mission effectiveness, and networking for multiaircraft evaluation.
The Multipurpose Dome Stations also have cockpit setups within 24-foot domes. Each dome has three projection systems for front-hemisphere, aft-hemisphere, and high-resolution, 40× horizontal by 30× vertical inset in front of the pilot. They provide the same capabilities as the Air-to-Ground Dome Stations.
The Handling Qualities Stations have three cockpit stations with a field of view of 120× horizontal by 35× vertical, and one cockpit station with a 170× horizontal by 60× vertical on a 20-foot diameter dome. These stations extensively use analog and digital recording with the capability for evaluation of aerodynamic data.
There are two networked 40-foot domes known as Air Combat Simulators. Target models can be projected within the dome in a friendly or enemy configuration. Some cockpits have a capability for immediate reconfiguration to design customer requirements and simultaneous evaluation.
The simulation and reconfiguration of controls and software at the front end of a program, along with customer evaluation, provide the most economical means to meet pilot needs. This simulation also reduces flight test times during planned modification.
The Project Teams that support this Flight Simulation Laboratory encompass engineering, design, fabrication, and maintenance for pilot-vehicle integration. For example, for coordination of information, the Project Team forms a Simulation Integration Review Team (SIRT) composed of the Engineering Design Group (with a Pilot-Vehicle Integration Coordinator) and a Flight Simulation Laboratory Integration Group (with a Flight Simulation Laboratory Project Leader). The Engineering Design Requirements Group addresses system design, human factors, the crew station, controls and displays, safety, and flight controls. The Flight Simulation Laboratory Integration Group has responsibility for maintenance and support, equipment design, systems engineering, simulation software support, and mission planning systems. The associated Group coordinator and project leader coordinate and direct the information for the SIRT. The SIRT also has the responsibility for evaluation of F-16 avionics software configuration.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
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