Core Avionics Master Plan - NAVAIR - U.S. Navy

Core Avionics Master Plan 2011 Appendix A-1Mission planning involves loading and transfer of both classified and unclassifieddata. Similarly, sensor systems capture classified and unclassified data for post-missionanalysis. Maintenance diagnostics and Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance(MFOQA) also involve download of information captured by recorders during the flight.With increases in capacity and improvements in platform interface, it makes sense tocombine multiple functionalities into a single data loader for transport between thesquadron work-stations and the flight line. MLS partitioning capability is being fieldedwith datalinks, and would have a natural application in data transfer devices.D. Information Display. The display capability element provides for the informationpresentation interface between the aircrew and the aircraft information managementsystems. This section addresses cockpit and crew-member glass displays.1. Current Capabilities.Significant advancements in commercial display applications are making their wayinto military cockpits. Most Naval Aviation cockpits have integrated many differentdisplay technologies to support night vision devices and operations in very low levels ofillumination. It is usually more challenging to develop adequate contrast and illuminationlevels in the very bright daytime environment of a tactical cockpit. The latest displaysbeing fielded incorporate enhancements in resolution, brightness, night visioncompatibility and flexibility, and employ solid state engineering for higher reliability (tensof thousands of hours) with greater resistance to vibration, shock, humidity, andtemperature extremes. Observance of military and industry standards enhances smoothinterface and compatibility with associated avionics systems. The two primary leadingtechnologies currently being integrated are Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Active MatrixLiquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) products. The AMC&D program is fielding a 5”x5”AMLCD that brings improved reliability and higher resolution. AV-8B and F/A-18C/Dhave fielded the Advanced Multi Purpose Color Display (AMPCD), which is a “smartdisplay” (includes internal processing rather than merely presenting an image).Improved sensors such as the Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) andadditional network information sources (such as Link 16) drove the requirement for alarger size, higher resolution 8”x10” Multi Function Display (MFD) to be integrated in theF/A-18F and EA-18G. The Common Cockpit program of the Multi-Mission Helicopterprogram is affording similar capability to the MH-60S and MH-60R. The PMA209CNS/ATM team has integrated or is integrating glass cockpits into E-2C, P-3C, CH-53E,MH-53E, US Coast Guard HC-130H, and C-130T.2. Funded Enhancements and Potential Pursuits.Overview: Military cockpit and cabin displays are principally managed separately foreach platform. Near term improvements include increased luminance and contrast forbright environments, wider dimming ranges for night vision compatibility, weightreductions, power demand reductions, instant-on illumination in extreme cold conditionsand reduction of toxic components. Implementation of network-centric data exchangewill drive significant increases in the amount of tactical information that can bedisplayed. CNS/ATM functionalities will increase situational awareness, but will alsoplace more demands on the quality of the display. The amount of information to bedisplayed will require advancements in processing capability, information managementtools and display resolution.A-1 Information Management 12