Systems Approach to Cockpit Performance Requirements

Current US military specifications for cockpit design reflect all of the ‘evils’ that gave impetus to current DoD specification reform initiatives. These old specifications define a ‘bottom up’ approach to cockpit design by emphasizing detail design requirements for cockpit components and subsystems. The cockpit itself is not considered a system which results in poorly integrated cockpits that do not meet user needs.

Specification reform has led to major joint service initiatives to correct these deficiencies. A cockpit performance guide specification is in development to address performance requirements and related design guidance for the cockpit and its numerous interfaces.