A Piloted Simulation of One-on-One Helicopter Air Combat at NOE Flight Levels

A piloted simulation designed to examine the effects of terrain proximity and control system design on helicopter performance during one-on-one air combat maneuvering (ACM) is discussed. The NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) and Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) systems were modified to allow two aircraft to be independently piloted on a single CGI database. Engagements were begun with the blue aircraft already in a tail-chase position behind red and also with the two aircraft originating from positions unknown to each other. Maneuvering was very aggressive and safety requirements for minimum altitude, separation, and maximum bank angles typical of flight test were not used. Results indicate that the presence of terrain features adds an order of complexity to the task performance over clear air ACM, that a mix of attitude and rate command type Stability and Control Augmentation System (SCAS) design may be desirable, and that the weapon system capabilities have a significant impact on air-to-air engagement success. The simulation system design, the flightpaths flown, and the tactics used were compared favorably to actual flight test experiments by the evaluation pilots.