Interactive training system for AWACS weapons directors

• US 6,053,736 A
• Filed: 10/17/1997
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Inventors: Montag, Bruce C., Long, Sharon D., Huffman, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US08/951,958
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434/14, 434/20, 434/29, 434/30, 434/35, 434/42, 434/43, 434/55, 434/307 R, 434/308, 434/365, 434/372, 701/14, 701/208, 701/213, 701/220, 701/225, 701/301, 342/13, 342/29, 342/159, 342/160, 342/189, 342/195, 342/450, 342/458, 342/462, 348/121, 348/123, 340/961, 340/945, 382/260, 712/11, 712/14, 712/15, 244/75 R, 244/3.11, 244/3.16, 244/3.19, 89/1.1, 89/1.11, 395/500.24, 395/500.29, 395/500.41
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 7/006 Guided missiles training or simulation devices

Abstract

A training system for training AWACS weapons directors. The training system is programmed so that the student can select between a number of different training modes. These include interactive courseware, simulation, and live exercise modes. The system includes a voice recognition unit that is trained to recognize AWACS terminology and to interactively teach them.

Claims

1. A training system for training students to be weapons directors of an AWACS system, comprising:

a memory for storing interactive courseware programming, simulation programming, and live exercise programming, thereby providing different training modes;

at least one student weapons director console, said weapons director console being a replica of an AWACS console and being programmed such that a student may select between said training modes;

a host computer for receiving simulation data from an external flight simulator, as well as radar and audio data from real world aircraft;

a digital audio system for handling the exchange of audio data within said system;

a speech recognition unit trained to recognize AWACS terminology; and

communications links whereby each of the above said elements is capable of receiving and delivering data as appropriate for a selected training mode.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said simulation programming is stand-alone simulation programming.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said simulation programming is integrated simulation programming.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said simulation programming is combined simulation programming.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one pseudo-pilot console, and wherein said simulation programming provides controlled aircraft data, and wherein said communication links provide data transfer between said psuedo-pilot console, at least one weapons director console, and said memory during said simulation training mode.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications links provide data transfers between a weapons director console and said voice recognition unit during said interactive courseware training mode.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications links provide data transfers between a weapons director console and said voice recognition unit during said simulation training mode.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said digital audio system provides simulated radio transmissions during said simulation training mode.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controlled aircraft display station programmed to provide a simultaneous two-dimensional display of a weapons director console and a corresponding three-dimensional display of aircraft being controlled by that console.

10. A method of using one or more computers to train students to be weapons directors of an AWACS system, using at least one replicated AWACS weapons director console, comprising the steps of:

storing interactive courseware programming in memory;

storing simulation programming in memory, wherein said simulation programming provides data for aircraft flight simulation and for AWACS radar displays;

storing live exercise programming in said memory, wherein said live exercise programming receives aircraft position data from a radar and voice data from said aircraft;

whereby said storing steps result in a stored set of training modes;

storing student interface programming in memory, whereby a student at said weapons director console may select between any one of said training modes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said simulation programming is stand-alone simulation programming.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said simulation programming is integrated simulation programming.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said simulation programming is combined simulation programming.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a host computer having programming such that process control of said training modes is distributed between said weapons director console and said host computer.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing at least one pseudo-pilot console, and wherein said simulation programming provides psuedo-pilot data to said weapons director console.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing voice recognition programming for use during said interactive courseware training mode.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing voice recognition programming for use during said simulation training mode.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing means for simulated radio transmissions during said simulation training mode.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing means for receiving real world radio and radar data from an aircraft during said live exercise mode.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of providing means for displaying a three-dimensional scene of aircraft controlled by said weapons director console.