A PILOTED SIMULATION INVESTIGATION OF PITCH AND ROLL HANDLING QUALITIES REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT

A piloted simulation investigation of handling qualities requirements for helicopter air-to-air combat has been performed. Specifically, pitch and roll bandwidth, maximum angular rate, and altitude quickness have been investigated in order to determine the magnitudes required for Level 1 and Level 2 handling qualities. Air-to-air engagements were conducted one-on-one versus an automated adversary termed the AUTOMAN. In general, good agreement with the existing rotorcraft handling qualities specification was seen, with the possible exception of pitch bandwidth and roll attitude quickness, both of which may need to be increased. A new requirement for maximum pitch rate is suggested. Results for pitch attitude quickness were inconclusive. Task performance results correlated well with pilot opinion ratings. The AUTOMAN automated adversary proved to be useful in compelling the pilots to perform aggressive air-to-air maneuvering.