Practical Considerations for Fixed Wing Helmet-Mounted Display Symbology Design

Abstract

Helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) may become a primary source of head-up information in future tactical aircraft. In evaluations, HMDs have produced improved situation awareness and mission performance. To realize this improved performance, HMD equipped pilots spend significantly more time looking off-axis, away from traditional displays. Accordingly, it is important that HMD information be designed so targeting and ownship status symbology is effective and safe. The U. S. Air Force Research Laboratory is working to develop an optimized HMD symbology set. Toward this end, symbol designs must accommodate the conditions of intended use, technology limitations, and integration with other displays. This paper discusses efforts to design target tracking/location and ownship status symbologies for the day/night all weather fixed-wing tactical aircraft application. Design principles derived from both laboratory and flight test are presented. These principles relate to symbology frame of reference, orientation, compression, and line of sight mechanization. Evaluation methodologies are also discussed.

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