In-flight radar warning receiver training system

• US 5,421,728 A
• Filed: 03/07/1994
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Milden, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/207,440
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 434/2, 434/5, 342/169, 342/170, 342/171, 342/172, 342/173
• US Class Current: 434/5
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/021 Auxiliary means for detecting or identifying radar signals or the like, e.g. radar jamming signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4052 by simulation of echoes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4082 using externally generated reference signals, e.g. via remote reflector or transponder
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/40 Simulation of airborne radar

Abstract

An in-flight radar warning receiver training system for use with a radar warning receiver (RWR) includes a real on/off switch for switching real threat track file data to a formatter. A generator produces threat/RWR simulated threat track file data. A merge operator combines formatted real threat data with the threat/RWR simulated threat track file data to form a combined threat track file. A prioritization method orders the combined threat track file data into prioritized threat track file data which is routed to a symbol generator, an audio/voice generator, and a memory for storing threat events having an input connected to the priority data output.

Claims

1. An in-flight radar warning receiver training system for use with a radar warning receiver (RWR), the in-flight radar warning receiver training system comprising:

a) means for formatting real RWR track file reports to produce formatted real threat data;

b) means for generating threat/RWR simulated threat track file data;

c) means for merging the formatted real threat data with the threat/RWR simulated threat track file data to form a combined threat track file at an output, wherein the merging means has a first input coupled to receive the formatted real threat data, and a second input coupled to receive the threat/RWR simulated threat track file data; and

d) means for prioritizing the combined threat track file data, the prioritizing means being connected to receive the combined threat track file data from the merging means, the prioritizing means including an output for carrying prioritized threat track file data.

2. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 further comprising means for generating RWR display symbology connected to the output for carrying the prioritized threat track file data.

3. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 further comprising means for storing threat track file data, the storing means being connected to receive threat track file data from the prioritizing means.

4. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 further comprising, means for generating RWR audio/voice indications.

5. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 wherein the prioritizing means comprises a computer program that orders threat reports based on one or more priority schemes.

6. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 further comprising means for switching connected between the radar warning receiver and the formatting means.

7. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 1 further comprising a means for display and a power off default switch connected to bypass the formatting means, merging means, prioritizing means and means for generating RWR display symbology so as to send real RWR video symbology to the display means when the power off default switch operates in a default mode.

8. An in-flight radar warning receiver training system for use with a radar warning receiver (RWR), wherein the radar warning receiver outputs RWR video at a first output and real threat track file data at a second output, the in-flight radar warning receiver training system comprising:

a) a real on/off switch having first terminal and a second terminal where the first terminal is connected to the second output of the radar warning receiver;

b) a means for formatting real track file data having a data input and a formatted data output, wherein the data input is connected to the second terminal of the real on/off switch;

c) means for generating threat/RWR simulated threat track file data;

d) means for merging the formatted real threat track file data with the threat/RWR simulated threat track file data to form a combined threat track file at an output, wherein the merging means has a first input coupled the formatted data output, and a second input coupled to the generating means to receive the threat/RWR simulated threat track file data;

e) means for prioritizing the combined threat track file data, the prioritizing means being connected to the output of the merging means to receive the combined threat track file data, the prioritizing means including a priority data output for carrying prioritized threat track file data;

f) a symbol generator having an input connected to the priority data output;

g) an audio/voice generator having an input connected to the priority data output; and

h) a means for storing threat events having an input connected to the priority data output.

9. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the means for generating threat/RWR simulated threat track file data further comprises:

a) a means for simulating threat activity having a threat activity output;

b) a means for simulating RWR activity having an input connected to the threat activity output, where the RWR activity simulating means includes an output; and

c) a means for storing simulated track file data connected at an input to the output of the RWR activity simulating means.

10. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 further comprising a training on/off switch connected between the means for generating threat/RWR simulated threat track file data and the merging means.

11. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 further comprising a means for display and a power off default switch connected to bypass the formatting means, merging means, prioritizing means and means for generating RWR display symbology so as to send real RWR video symbology to the display means when the power off default switch operates in a default mode.

12. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 further comprising a means for data transfer having an input coupled to receive data from the means for storing threat events.

13. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the means for simulating threat activity further comprises means for activating a simulated threat within a selected range.

14. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the means for simulating threat activity further comprises means for calculating whether a threat radar emitter can detect a target aircraft.

15. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 14 wherein the means for calculating may employ line-of-sight calculations based on terrain data, and radar cross section of target aircraft, and other factors known to bear upon threat simulation scenarios.

16. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the means for simulating threat activity further comprises a means for disabling and enabling the means for simulating threat activity in response to an external command.

17. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the prioritizing means further comprises means for selecting threat priorities in response to a pilot input for selecting priority.

18. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 8 wherein the means for selecting threat priorities comprises means for selecting a low altitude priority and a high altitude priority.

19. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 18 wherein the prioritizing means further comprises means for assigning threat priorities from at least one priority table.

20. The in-flight radar warning receiver training system of claim 19 further comprising:

a) an operator controls data interface for storing current and past switch positions of pilot selectable switches; and

b) a process operator control coupled to the operator controls data interface and also coupled to the real on/off switch, power off default switch and training on/off switch.