Aircrew Display Aid for Electronic Attack Jamming Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircrew decision aids for Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft are inadequate in providing real-time, flexible displays to optimize jamming strategies against multiple threat emitters, leading to increased workload and reduced effectiveness in Electronic Warfare operations.
Innovation Solution
A software program that generates real-time Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) and Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) displays, integrating threat emitter characteristics and EA capabilities to provide visual cues for optimal jamming approaches, reducing aircrew workload and enhancing situational awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current aircrew decision aids are used to provide EA position relative to threat receiver, then basic positional information is available, but the aids are inadequate for real-time optimization of jamming strategies against multiple threat emitters
Solution Approach 1:
The display system segments information by providing separate, configurable display elements for different threat emitters and their coverage areas. Each threat emitter can be individually assessed and displayed, allowing aircrew to focus on specific threats rather than being overwhelmed by a unified complex display.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically updates in real-time as the EA aircraft moves and as threat emitters are detected or neutralized. The coverage areas and threat assessments are continuously recalculated and redisplayed, enabling adaptive jamming strategy optimization without requiring manual updates.
2Ease of operation
If manual incorporation of PE position and determination of optimum EW countermeasure is required, then aircrew have full control, but workload is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated calculations of optimal EA positioning and jamming strategies by fusing threat emitter characteristics with EA aircraft capabilities. The software automatically determines optimal EW countermeasures based on real-time data, reducing the need for manual aircrew computation while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The software acts as an intermediary between raw sensor data and aircrew decision-making. It processes and fuses multiple data sources (threat emitter characteristics, EA capabilities, PE position) to generate pre-analyzed recommendations, reducing the cognitive load on aircrew while preserving their ultimate decision authority.
3Measurement precision
If current systems are used to position EA relative to threat emitters, then basic positioning is possible, but systems are incapable of fusing EA jamming capability with projected threat emitter performance information
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges EA jamming capability data with projected threat emitter performance information through software-based data fusion. By combining these previously separate information streams, the system achieves precise assessment of jamming effectiveness without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based measurement and assessment systems with software-based data fusion and simulation capabilities. The software computes projected threat emitter performance and jamming effectiveness by processing digital models rather than requiring additional physical sensors or test equipment.
4Productivity
If multiple threat emitters are overcome while transitioning hostile area, then mission objective is achieved, but aircrew workload increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessments of threat emitters and pre-calculates optimal jamming strategies before the aircrew engages each threat. By preparing countermeasure recommendations in advance based on fused data about threat characteristics and EA capabilities, the system reduces the reactive workload during high-stress transition phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system provides continuous feedback to aircrew about the effectiveness of current jamming strategies and the status of each threat emitter. This real-time feedback loop allows aircrew to make informed decisions with reduced cognitive load, as the system presents processed information about which threats are being successfully countered and which require attention.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to the field of computer software particularly to an improved method of providing aircrew decision aids for use in determining the optimum placement of an Electronic Attack (EA) aircraft. The core of the invention is a software program that will dynamically provide the EA flight crew situational awareness regarding a threat emitter's coverage relative to the position of the EA aircraft and to the position of any number of protected entities (PE). The software program generates information to provide visual cues representing a Jam Acceptability Region (JAR) contour, a Jam Assessment Strobe (JAS) and text for display on a number of flexibly configurable display formats posted on display units. The JAR and JAS graphics and text will aid the EA aircrew in rapidly assessing the effectiveness of a given jamming approach.