Potential Uses of two Types of Stereographic Display Systems in the Airborne Fire Control Environment

The potential utility of three-dimensional displays in an air combat environment was investigated using two types of stereo hardware systems. Helmet-mounted heads up display symbology formats were designed for a head-coupled helmet display system. These stereo-graphic displays were also presented on a forward projection screen and viewed using shutter goggles. Pilot opinion was solicited after flying exposure to an air-to-air guns scenario. Our limited data and opinion base indicated a slight disadvantage for the head-coupled system compared with the goggle system. However, pilots were very responsive to the idea of using stereographic displays and suggested air-to-ground and 4-D NAV uses. It appears that one potential use for stereo displays may be in a training context. Stereographic displays offer pilots an opportunity to learn the impact that control inputs can have on the future physics of a mission environment. Many unresolved areas of research and interest concerning stereographic display technology are generated by this research study.