Apache Longbow Color AMLCD Multipurpose Display Incorporation

Several of key display design requirements were derived to support the hardware specifications that were used to procure the AH-64D Apache Longbow color active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD), referred to as multipurpose displays (MPDs). These requirements include resolution, brightness, contrast, NVIS radiance, gray shades, video configurations, and controls. Also discussed are the high level human engineering design guidelines used to apply color to the cockpit display formats along with some of the advantages and potential disadvantages associated with the incorporation of color displays into a military cockpit. Pre-production AMLCDs have been ground and flight tested and a brief discussion of the information gained as a result of this testing is presented to highlight some design tradeoffs. Finally, portions of the results of the validation production flight testing conducted by Boeing to evaluate the performance of the MPDs are also discussed. This testing found that the Apache Longbow MPDs meet crew information requirements and enhance the crew interface. The MPDs have been found to provide very good symbol and text presentation, to increase crew situation awareness relative to their monochrome predecessors, and provide additional tools to enhance and present video information which in turn aids the target recognition and acquisition process.