NIGHTFOX Virtual Terrain Image Generation System - Aerospace Medicine

NIGHTFOX Virtual Terrain Image Generation System – The ultimate team training capability for night operations

Needs

Training for night operations using night vision devices in a team environment is an essential contribution to flight safety during night operations.

Night operations for civil and military aircrew becomes more and more important. Training in real flight bears high risks. Thus, training in a synthetic environment contributes to minimise these risks. It is essential to demonstrate:

Misperceptions and changing environments
Showing techniques for detecting weather changes and gradual reduction in visibility
Identifying the problems of terrain critical tasks and visual limitations
Conducting NVG operations in reducing marginal weather conditions
Decision making processes in a team environment
Spatial disorientation in Degraded Visual Environments (DVE)
Crew Resource Management (CRM) and team integration for pilots, flight engineers and non-flying personnel

Solution

The NIGHTFOX VTIGS is a standalone system that permits students to have interactive training in a dynamic NVG environment.

The system permits day and night operations and mission preview, execution and debriefing. This innovative technical solution permits precise control of the NVG night scene across a broad spectrum of environments.

Training can be conducted as a complete crew – this facet gives non-pilot aircrew the opportunity to see the visual limitations that exist in a dynamically changing environment
When using the cockpit (option) pilots can transfer NVG skills to each other and experienced pilots can clearly identify the risks associated with low-level operations.
Dynamic NVG training in a controlled environment
Day-to-night operations
Mission preview, mission execution and debriefing prior to NVG missions

Benefits

The benefit of using the VTIGS is to further learn the handling and limitations of night vision goggles in a crew or team environment.

The NIGHTFOX VTIGS takes the NVG training to the next level using dynamic interactive NVG missions where students actually use operational NVGs and ‘fly through’ the NVG environment which demonstrates the effects like weather, visibility and ambient light level changes.

The VTIGS permits recorded missions using flight simulation and utilises team-viewing mode for all aircrews
Depending on the instructor and mission profile, mission rehearsal can be carried out by day and by night
The instructor has total control over light conditions and weather factors. This provides realistic training and some missions can be flown day-to-night providing a comparison of the day and night scenes.
Recorded missions can be configured to give differing degrees of difficulty and more importantly look at Terrain Critical Tasks (TCT).
‘Pause and speak’ capability for reinforcement of learning process and for particular flight profiles/phases.

Video

VTIGS – Virtual Terrain Image Generation System

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Features

Instructor Operator Station – IOS

The IOS includes mission control, an intuitive GUI for interactive control of the training sessions. The IOS placed either side of the students permits direct interaction with them. The camera controlled through the database permits ‘zoom in’ to identify targets and explore the terrain in more detail.

Projection System

The WQXGA projector with IR channel is projects onto a planar screen. In this configuration, it is used for all training profiles. Additionally, the installation requires no distortion correction or edge blending resulting in a very cost effective solution. With the IR channel, the system can stimulate the NVGs while the image remains dark to the unaided vision.

Student Seating

Students are located within the design ‘eye-point’. This gives the maximum FOV and optimised for NVG performance as well as comfort. Room design and layout adjusted to meet the requirements of the customer. Optimum is for maximum of 10 students.

Out-Of-Window Realism

The high fidelity projection system permits accurate aided (NVG) and un-aided (naked eye) views of the outside world. Configured via the IOS and computer controlled software for day-to-night operations. Additionally, the wide field of view permits a realistic head scan to visual acquire the outside world.

Dynamic Terrain Features under NVGs

Approaches to critical terrain like hidden ridges or up-sloping runway demonstrated at varying closure rates demonstrates the risks involved. The reduction in peripheral visual cues further support the training activities. Combined with environmental changes within the training scenarios, this gives students a greater awareness of the terrain changes that can occur in flight.

Scenery Database

The system has a global database which has specific areas modelled in very high detail. The key elements of sea, land, desert and mountainous are included. It gives the operator/instructor the ability to select routes that give different levels of complexity including land-to-sea and sea-to-land transitions.

Options

Cockpit

The cockpit options permits ‘free-flight’ for NVG instructors to provide in-flight demonstrations to students. This is particularly important when discussing the reduction in visual cues due to weather or in marginal weather conditions. This active mode of instruction gives the students a clearer understanding of the limitations for NVG operations.

Simulator Link

The NIGHTFOX VTIGS can be linked to the AIRFOX family of SD simulators. This permits multi-aircraft missions, night close formation and further enhances the training capabilities. It also allows the team-view mode where the VTIGS replicates the flight of the AIRFOX and acts as additional cockpit view. This allows students to watch the flight profile of the pilot flying the AIRFOX.

Training Room Specification

The training room (classroom) configured to include a complete solution and looks similar to the NIGHTFOX NVTS.

References

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – Czech Republic 2015

The system was delivered, installed and successfully accepted at the institute of Aviation Medicine in Prague in November 2015.

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – New Zealand 2015

The NIGHTFOX VTIGS system was installed in New Zealand and fully accepted in January 2016. The system is based on a high resolution terrain database to demonstarte active flights in daylight and night vision environment.

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – Spain 2015

The system was successfully installed and accepted at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (CIMA) in Madrid in 2015.

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – AMST 2015

AMST produced another VTIGS for exhibitions and trade shows. In addition the system is used for further development.

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – Germany 2015

The system was successfully accepted by the German Authorities. Installation was at the German air force base in Wunsdorf and will be used for night vision training for the A400M pilots.

NIGHTFOX VTIGS – AMST 2015

AMST has installed its own VTIGS system for training of foreign nations at AMST. In addition the system is used for further development.