Distributed Aperture System Field of View Investigation

A unique Distributed Aperture System was designed and integrated by the Operator Performance Lab into an Mi-2 helicopter and provided real-time imagery to both a helmet mounted display and heads down display. Using a Distributed Aperture System, students from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School Class 20B flew various night takeoffs and approaches corresponding with flight paths typically used by rotorcraft. The goal was to determine the minimum required field of view in azimuth and elevation using a distributed aperture system. Within the 2-week test the team revised the approaches flown and found slight disagreement between the results and predictions. Pilot ratings were collected to determine whether to adjust the field of view for safe and effective operations. This paper focuses on the field of view methodology and results, the flight test techniques generated by the test team, the rapid development and evolution of the distributed aperture system, and lessons learned for night helicopter operations.