Development of a large screen military fast-jet interface

Current fast-jet cockpits typically contain three multi-function displays (MFDs) and numerous electromechanical dials. The problem with this type of cockpit configuration is that pilots waste valuable cognitive resources integrating the information from the different MFDs. The solution to this problem is to replace the MFDs with a single large screen flat panel display to allow the fusion of displayed information, whilst avoiding potential clutter problems. The use of a single large screen display (LSD) would reduce the time spent by the pilot in information management duties and provide an increased display area for presenting useful tactical information. A three year research programme conducted at the Centre for Human Sciences, DERA Farnborough has focused on the issues associated with implementing LSDs, and has resulted in the development of a mature wide field of view head down display demonstrator. This demonstrator has been used to address the human factors issues associated with such displays and the key information management issues for both the pilot and the display.