Measurement Methods and Metrics for Aircrew Assessment during Close-in Air-to-Air Combat

摘要

The present study was conducted to bring to focus the fragmented research efforts performed in the position advantage area and integrate the results with available energy metrics. It is envisioned that a product of the research would be an up-to-date algorithm that would combine energy maneuverability and position advantage assessment capability. Recommendations would also be provided for presenting algorithms output in display formats that would be meaningful and diagnostic to aircrews. An additional study objective was to review and document the current operating status of the EMD (Energy Maneuverability Display) and make recommendations for updating software and revising display formats to improve their instructional value. The research reported here represents the development of performance algorithms and diagnostic displays for the maneuvering portion of an air-to-air combat engagement conducted within visual range. Although the metrics described in the report are specific to air-to-air combat, the methods for development, validation and display of performance metrics are generalizable to other missions such as air-to-surface and electronic combat. The EMD prototype was designed to aid pilots in learning energy management skills. The EMD was subsequently implemented on the Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System/Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (TACTS/ACMI) by Cubic Defense Systems and has been in operation for the past several years.