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Eurofighter
1 - 2008
eurofighter update
update Unmatched Training Capability
The 360° View To be able to pilot the world’s most advanced swing-role weapon system requires an unrivalled training capability. The Partner Air Forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom are now plugged-in to an operational training programme that goes way beyond all of it’s predecessors. The Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids (ASTA) programme is now online. The first stage in the programme covered the development and provision of eleven Full Mission Simulators (including one device for Austria), six Cockpit Trainers and ancillary devices. The second stage, ASTA Tranche 2, was launched in January this year and covers the production of a further four Full Mission Simulators (FMS) and five Cockpit Trainers/ Interactive Pilot Stations Enhanced (CT/IPS-E). As a consequence of this second Tranche of ASTA, a further five Main Operating Bases (MOBs) – Gioia del Colle (IT), Albacete (SP), Wittmund (DE), Noervenich (DE) and Leuchars (UK) – will receive ASTA Simulators.
This equates to a total number of: IT: IT: SP: SP: GE: GE: GE: GE: UK: UK:
Grosseto* Gioia del Colle Moron Albacete Laage Neuburg Wittmund Noervenich Coningsby Leuchars
2 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 2 FMS 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 1 FMS & 1 CT/IPS-E 2 FMS & 2 CT/IPS-E 2 FMS & 2 CT/IPS-E
AU:
Zeltweg
1 FMS
*CT/IPS-E installed at Ronchi facility.
1 - 2008
eurofighter update
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Eurofighter Latest News
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Eurofighter Latest News
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1 - 2008
eurofighter update
The ASTA simulators can be
The Specification Eurofighter GmbH, as Prime Contractor, is responsible for both Programme Management and delivery of training and training systems in support of the Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system. As such, a training and simulation partnership consortium has been established based on the lead partner companies of the Eurofighter programme, Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS in Germany. The fifth partner in the ASTA consortium is Eurofighter Simulation Systems GmbH (ESS), who itself draws on industrial expertise in simulation technology from it's shareholders CAE Elektronik GmbH, Selex Galileo, Indra, RDE and Thales. The ASTA programme forms the core training capability for all four Eurofighter Typhoon partner Air Forces. The training package consists of two types of simulator: Cockpit Trainer / Interactive Pilot Station Enhanced (CT/IPS-E) and Full Mission Simulator (FMS). These are supported by Database Generation, Lesson Planner / Scenario Generator and Debriefing Systems. Both device types replicate cockpit layout and fidelity. To support manned, multiple aircraft training operations, a network interface is provided for each FMS device and each CT/IPS-E devices. For all training operations, flight handling will be possible within the permissible flight envelope significant to safe handling outside the service flight envelope to the limits of the available flight data.
The Programme
networked to provide multi-ship training
Key ASTA Milestones • Delivery and acceptance of first Early Cockpit Trainer (ECT) in March 2006 • FMS delivered, installed and accepted by all partner nations • To date, eight ASTA simulators are in operation, including one FMS in Zeltweg, Austria • First “flight” of FMS loaded with Austria specific database performed on 15 March 2007 as planned prior to May 2007 acceptance deadline • Software Load 1.1 delivered to the nations in April 2007 enabling extension of Operational Conversion training syllabus
Full Mission Simulator To achieve the objective of a high-fidelity tactical training, both aircraft systems and environment simulation are be taken equally into account. The FMS provides: • 13 channel visual system and six channel target projection system • 360° visual Field of View in fully immersive environment • Motion cueing system • Can be connected to the pilot’s Helmet Mounted Display • Network enabled for multi-ship training environments
Cockpit Trainer / Interactive Pilot Station Enhanced Complementing the FMS, the CT/IPS-E provides: • • • •
Five channel visual system Procedural and emergency training Preparation for FMS training Network enabled for participation in multi-ship training as a supporting Eurofighter Typhoon or as an Alternate Aircraft (AAC)
The FMS gives 360° field of view in a
Software Load 1.1 has been the basis for Eurofighter Typhoon pilot training across Europe over the previous 12 months, with the final ASTA Tranche 1 software load due to become available in 2008. The next major software upgrade which is scheduled for the end of 2008 will deliver full tactical training capabilities to the users. A realistic and complex simulation of the natural and tactical environment is implemented to ensure a similar behaviour of the ASTA devices compared to the real world. Complex tactical scenarios will complement the technical features of the simulators. The upgrade will introduce various motion cues, improvements on the visual system, advanced communication, sensor and weapon features. From an Export perspective, ASTA is currently involved in the India and Switzerland bids. Under the cover of the aircraft Programme Tranche RFQ, Germany has requested quotations for a fifth MOB. The ASTA Tranche 2 Devices (Supplement 5 simulators) will incorporate a new state-of-the-art visual system with improved performance, resolution and visual effects features. The devices will also include new sub-systems, as for example an auto-calibration system. The new features will not only improve the fidelity of the system but will also lower the maintenance costs.
Dr. Matthias Hammer ASTA Programme Manager Mark Pearson ASTA Business Support Manager The operator at the Interactive Pilot Station can provide inputs to the training mission
fully immersive environment
Pilot Training The current simulator functionalities are prioritised in order to deliver the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) training syllabus. This includes conversion to type and air-to-air training with the aim of providing a limited combat ready qualification for the student. Specific areas of training include multi device networked missions, Basic Aircraft Handling, Emergency Procedures, Instrument Flight Rules, Night Flying, Close Formation and Air to Air Refuelling. The Captor Radar, employment of primary air-to-air weapons (AMRAAM, ASRAAM, AIM-9L) in both Visual Range and Beyond Visual Range scenarios are utilised for air-to-air training. This is against a variety of computer generated interactive models.
Jose-Antonio Gutierrez a Spanish pilot with 20 year experience of flying fast jets, now Head of the Operational Factors team within the integration facility stated that:
Lieutenant Colonel Brandis, from Fighter Wing 73 “Steinhoff” of the German Air Force, is responsible for training pilots at Laage and stated that:
“The partner Nations expect ASTA to allow an off-take of up to 30% of flight hours in the real aircraft by simulator sorties. In order to realise this challenging objective, special attention is given to achieving very high fidelity simulations in avionics, sensors and weapons, providing a new level of tactical training. ASTA has been designed to provide full pilot immersion into the simulator sortie. In other words, the pilot feels as if at the controls of the “real” Eurofighter Typhoon. Under these conditions, training goes beyond procedural skills, and falls in the region of sound decision-making, based on situational awareness, inherent to tactical missions”.
"The ASTA devices are being used successfully for training and will form the backbone of Eurofighter Typhoon pilot training for many years to come. The increase in functionality and associated performance enhancements has enabled the German Air Force to expand the extent to which the devices are utilised. Further planned developments in functionality will provide all the partner Air Forces with a training capability second to none".
1 - 2008
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Eurofighter Latest News
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Direct Voice Input Technology
Workload Reduction DVI is a very simple concept: the pilot uses his/her voice to provide an input to an aircraft system in order to obtain an action or information from that system. The increment of aircraft capabilities and functionalities can dramatically increase pilot workload. Keeping pilot workload within acceptable margins in the main driver for next generation cockpit design. The Eurofighter Typhoon cockpit combines cutting edge Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) design with revolutionary DVI technology, providing the operator with an unmatched Voice, Throttle And Stick (VTAS) capability. The technical process basically consists of a real time comparison between the incoming audio signal (pilot voice) and stored data (general/individual speech models). The key issues are: • Injected audio signal (acoustic nature: speaker speech style, reverberations and echoes when talking into the oxygen mask, background cockpit noise; electrical nature: frequency response from microphone, transmission channel) • Speech models (speaker dependant/independent system) • Recognition algorithms • Computing capability of the processor/system (including syntax structure and total number of words)
DVI has been targeted for use in the commands that can reduce pilot workload without compromising flight safety (a press button or soft key backup is incorporated): • Display management: Using DVI for display optimisation is an appreciated tool when workload increases • Communications and management: this tool is use for radio, IFF, routes, waypoints etc. • Track management: All displays present a fused picture to increase situational awareness and reduce workload. DVI will allow tracks nomination, deletion, interrogation, display of extra info etc. • MIDS management is another time consuming task that may be optimised with DVI The initial template-based functionality has been in service on Eurofighter Typhoon since 2005. Aligned with aircraft capability enhancements, the DVI system has its own potential for growth. The 2007 signature of the Phase 1 Enhancements package incorporates the two-stage delivery of DVI upgrades: First stage • Requesting information to be displayed for any target or waypoint • Manipulation of the Laser Designator Pod and its picture
• Creation of a waypoint at a point of interest with only two commands • Increased vocabulary to almost 90 commands Second stage • Expansion of functions relates to the allocation of different mission types to wingmen and the reporting of own mission details. • Increased vocabulary to over 100 commands In parallel, EADS Defence and Security in Spain have worked on a new DVI module for Eurofighter Typhoon not based in templates. Although the initial development work has now finished, the new features of this system could include: • Continuous speech recogniser • Speaker independent voice recognition system based on common databases (e.g. “British English”, “American English”, “Spanish English” etc., no pilot templates) • Large vocabulary • Significant tolerance against variations in the acoustic signal (e.g. ability to cope with pilot breathing) • Voice level variability • The ability to cope with microphones with different frequency responses • The ability to cope with changing environmental conditions (cockpit noise)
Eurofighter Update is published by Eurofighter GmbH, PR & Communications Am Söldnermoos 17, 85399 Hallbergmoos Telephone +49 (0) 811-80 1587 Editorial representative Wolfdietrich Hoeveler VP PR & Communications Editor Phillip Lee Photography Eurofighter GmbH, Eurofighter Partner Companies, Spanish Air Force, Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus Ltd.
Future DVI features could include speaker independent voice recognition e.g. “Spanish English”, “German English” etc.
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