INTUITIVE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE COLLISION-AVOIDANCE TACTICS (INSECT)

Vertical short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) operators face numerous challenges, particularly during takeoff, hover, and landing operations. Threats take the form of power lines, structures, and—in the case of combat—enemy fire. Often, these threats are obscured when visibility is compromised by dust, sand, or snow. Maintaining awareness of the surrounding environment becomes almost impossible. VSTOL operators need enhanced perceptual skills to pick out critical cues. To meet this need, Aptima and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL) are developing Intuitive Navigation System for Effective Collision-avoidance Tactics (INSECT), a training system designed to enhance the perceptual skills of VSTOL operators. INSECT will adopt a scaffolding training approach to systematically increase the complexity of the training environment, while simultaneously decreasing the level of support. The training system will develop enhanced perceptual skills among operators, equipping them with the necessary resources to navigate complex and unforgiving environments in increasing conditions of degraded visibility. INSECT will provide simulator-based training to H-60 and other VSTOL operators to improve their ability to “see through the debris” and pick out the critical cues necessary for safe operation in DVE.