Flight Test Evaluation of Mission Computer Algorithms for a Modern Trainer Aircraft

Gargi Meharu; Sunil K. Valsan; Rajesh A. Kuttieri

doi:10.14429/dsj.63.4259

Gargi Meharu Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore
Sunil K. Valsan Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore
Rajesh A. Kuttieri Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.4259

Keywords: Mission computer, head-up-display, navigation and guidance algorithms

Abstract

A low cost integrated avionics system has been realized on a modern trainer aircraft. Without using an expensive inertial navigation system onboard, acceptable level of accuracy for navigation, guidance, and weapon aiming is achieved by extensive data fusion within mission computer. The flight test evaluation of mission computer is carried out by assessing the overall performance under various navigation and guidance modes. In flight simulation is carried out for weapon aiming modes. The mission computer interfaces with various subsystems and implements the functional requirements for flight management and mission management. The aim of this paper is to discuss the algorithms of a data fusion intensive mission computer and flight test evaluation of these algorithms, for a typical modern trainer aircraft. The challenges and innovations involved in the work are also discussed.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(2), pp.164-173, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.4259

Author Biographies

Gargi Meharu, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore

Ms Gargi Meharu received her BE (Electr. Comm. Eng.) and joined HAL in 2005. Currently, she is pursuing MS(Aerospace Vehicle Design) at Cranfield University, UK. She is working as Deputy Manager (Design-Avionics) at Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Her interest areas include : Avionics system design & development, system integration, flight test evaluation, and data analysis.

Sunil K. Valsan, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore

Mr Sunil K. Valsan received his BTech (Electr. Comm. Eng.) from Kerala University and joined HAL in 2002. He is working as Manager (Design-Avionics) at ARDC, HAL. His iinterest areas include : Avionics system design & development, system integration, development of integration rigs, flight test evaluation, and data analysis.

Rajesh A. Kuttieri, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ARDC, Bangalore

Dr Rajesh A. Kuttieri obtained his MS (Software Systems) from BITS, Pilani and PhD (Aerospace Engineering) from IIT, Kharagpur. He is working as Senior Manager (Design-Avionics) at ARDC, HAL. His interests include : Avionics system design, development and certification, aircraft parameter estimation, artificial intelligence, adaptive flight control system, aerospace vehicle design, etc.