Tactical Night Terrain Flight Navigation

Tactical Night Terrain Flight Navigation
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 49
Release: 1979
Genre:
ISBN:

This report documents two experiments which were conducted to determine the training required to improve tactical night terrain flight aircrew performance. These experiments sought, specifically, to identify critical factors which should be included in a program of instruction for tactical night terrain flight navigation training with unaided vision. In the first experiment a passive navigation task was used to establish an altitude which would provide adequate training with a safety margin, the types of terrain or other features which should be used for checkpoint identification, and the effect of daylight exposure to a route on subsequent navigation performance. Using Experiment I as a building block, Experiment II tested the effects on active navigation performance of light level, type of map, and order in which light level was experienced. Multiple step-wise linear regression was used to determine associations among the variables and provided an accounting of the variance attributable to each variable of interest. It was concluded that unaided vision navigation is possible at illumination levels as low as .0002 foot candles. Instructional programs must consider restrictions to visibility, map type, proper preflight planning, adequate dark adaptation, a standardized intra- cockpit phraseology, and should use natural terrain features with vertical relief for checkpoint identification. (Author).

Data Analysis Methodology for Day/Night Inflight Tactical Navigation

Data Analysis Methodology for Day/Night Inflight Tactical Navigation
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 127
Release: 1979
Genre:
ISBN:

Low-level helicopter navigation, both at night and during the day, is an essential portion of the Army's mission. Navigation performance, defined as the probability of navigating along a prescribed route or route segment without deviation, is a function of many factors including map type, terrain type, and time of day. Determining the effects of these factors is important for predicting performance of Army navigators, identifying factors critical to navigation, evaluating the probability of navigation success along a route, and developing training aids. The research reported here analyzed low-level flight experiment data to develop that information. This report contains results of the analyses of helicopter low-level navigation data, (a) to determine the probability of navigation success along a route as a function of terrain type, (b) to develop a means of determining route difficulty, and (c) to develop a method of scoring student performance. The FORTRAN computer programs and the navigation data base used in the analysis are also documented. (Author).

A Map Enhancement for Terrain Visualization Under Night Vision Goggle Compatible Lighting Systems

A Map Enhancement for Terrain Visualization Under Night Vision Goggle Compatible Lighting Systems
Author: Wiley C. Thompson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1999
Genre: Military maps
ISBN:

For the Army aviator, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flight in the tactical rotary-wing profile is a very demanding, task saturated environment. Map navigation is just one of the many tasks that must be accomplished during flight. The dim, monochromatic lighting required for NVG flight alters map colors, decreases image detail and map feature contrast, often making terrain feature recognition more difficult. A cartographic analysis and resulting map enhancement is needed to improve feature recognition, allowing easier navigation and safer flight. In this study, it was found that when applying a non-gray scale (magenta based) relief shading to a 1:50,000 scale military topographic line map, the surveyed aviators determined this shading improved or significantly improved their ability to visualize the terrain. It was also found that a medium level of shading (75% DEM opacity) was preferred.

Rotary Wing Flight

Rotary Wing Flight
Author: United States. Department of the Army
Publisher:
Total Pages: 324
Release: 1979
Genre: Helicopters
ISBN: