Utilization of D-Six for ACAS Development
A multi-partner, multi-national automatic collision avoidance (ACAS) development effort was initiated in 2000. The goal of this program was to develop and flight demonstrate the capability to automatically execute last-minute escape maneuvers to avoid impending collisions between
aircraft. Major participants include the USAF, FMV (Sweden), Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Saab Aerospace. The effort involved initial algorithm assessment and feasibility evaluation by the three prime contractors followed by a common ACAS algorithm development. With the
successful simulation demonstration of the ACAS logic schedule to take place in 2002, the program will proceed to flight demonstration.
Due to the complex nature of the ACAS logic coupled with the need to evaluate a wide range of potential collision scenarios, computer-based simulation was to be an integral tool in the algorithm development process. While each organization possesses internal and/or proprietary
simulation capabilities, there was no common simulation environment to allow convenient exchange of ACAS algorithm code between the partners.
D-Six was employed by each partner to provide the common platform on which the ACAS algorithm was developed, tested, and evaluated. Following a successful demonstration of Boeing’s initial ACAS algorithm hosted in D-Six, all three major contractors along with the USAF adopted
D-Six as the native algorithm development platform. The full-scale algorithm development is currently underway with all the partners concurrently and actively designing, evaluating, modifying and testing the ACAS logic. Because D-Six systems reside at each facility, algorithm design
issues and logic flaws can be easily explored and identified. As a result, solutions can be formulated, and code changes can be easily shared between the engineers evaluated, discussed and finalized.
The desktop accessibility of D-Six allows engineers to easily perform
collision avoidance simulation runs using pre-programmed control inputs
or in manually piloted mode. The results can be replayed, plotted and
analyzed between the program participants for a coordinated development
effort from different sites and continents. Additionally, D-Six’s
network capability provides the essential multi-vehicle simulation capability
needed to design, evaluate and demonstrate the coordinated escape maneuvers
between the colliding aircraft.
Other D-Six Success Stories
Implementation
of Wright Laboratory F-16 MATV Simulation into D-Six
Application
of D-Six at Air Force Research Laboratory
Italian
AV-8B II+ Mission Simulator Aerodynamics Model Development
Fokker
Control Loading and Motion
Boeing
F-18 E/F Flight Control System Test Station
Pilatus
Aircraft Engineering Flight Simulator
F-18 E/F Flight Model Re-host in D-Six
Aerial
Refueling Application
