Xponential 2016: US Army eyes DARPA's cockpit automation project

[Zarvan]

The US Army is interested in adding automation inyo the cockpit of its rotary-winged fleet. DARPA's ALIAS could help pilots focus more on mission command. Source: US Army
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has found the US Army, rather than the US Air Force (USAF), to be the most interested in efforts to boost automation in aircraft cockpits.DARPA's Aircrew Labor in Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS), for example, is meant to allow pilots to focus more on mission command and less on worrying about data and other flight functions.

Researchers thought the USAF would be the main customer, but so far the US Army's rotary-wing community has shown the most interest, Dr Bradford Tousley, director of DARPA's Tactical Technology Office, said during a briefing at AUVSI's annual Xponential conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 4 May.

He said the army wanted more automation for various reasons, including as a means of addressing some training and budget shortfalls for aircrew.

ALIAS, though still a research programme, is seeking to deliver a "drop-in, removable kit that would promote the addition of high levels of automation into existing aircraft, enabling operation with reduced onboard crew", according to DARPA.

It would support an entire mission from take-off to landing, including emergencies such as system failures. "Easy-to-use touch and voice interfaces would facilitate supervisor-ALIAS interaction" and the system could be used to integrate future automation capabilities for specific missions, the agency said.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(234 of 310 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/60028/xponential-2016-us-army-eyes-darpa-s-cockpit-automation-project