Enhanced/synthetic vision test and evaluation

Flight test techniques appropriate for head-down instruments must be modified to adequately test see-through displays, such as head-up displays (HUDs) or head-mounted displays. The addition of sensor imagery to these displays will further complicate test requirements. Such imagery can be based on aircraft mounted sensors or it may be formed from a fusion of these sensors with an onboard database. One of the difficulties with testing image-based HUDs and HMDs is the need to test in degraded visual environment. Such difficulties have been noted in military helicopter HMD testing and will have to be addressed when enhanced or synthetic vision systems are developed. A formal test and evaluation program is proposed to ensure that new image-based displays support the pilot's flight tasks. An outline of test requirements is presented for use in future flight display programs.