CONTINUUM DYNAMICS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N172-109

Description

The effectiveness of rotorcraft flight simulation in handling qualities assessment and pilot training is enhanced by the presence of high-fidelity motion and body force cues, which can be particularly important for simulation of shipboard launch/recovery operations. Continuum Dynamics, Inc. (CDI) proposes to develop a model-based pilot-centric framework for the development and analysis of rotorcraft motion/force cueing systems with emphasis on shipboard operations. This model-based approach will combine high-fidelity aerodynamic models to characterize the rotorcraft operating environment and human perception models to develop and implement optimal cueing strategies. The approach can be used to evaluate an existing motion system quantitatively to assess motion cue fidelity and to integrate additional cueing hardware (e.g., dynamic motion seat) to enhance realism and improve effectiveness of the virtual environment. In Phase I, the pilot-centric motion/body force cueing framework will be developed, and framework sub-models will be evaluated and benchmarked. The methodology will be tested and evaluated using a representative tiltrotor simulation with G-seat to provide body force cues. Results from Phase I will provide a foundation for further development and evaluation within the NAVAIR V-22 simulator as part of follow-on activities.