Reconfigurable Multipurpose Aircraft Sim Station (R-MASS)

The R-MASS device is designed to provide organizations with a low cost solution for simulation laboratory needs. The baseline R-MASS device is a fiberglass shell cockpit with a projected single-channel out the window graphics display with over laid HUD, multi-channel head-down graphics for displays, spring loaded center stick and rudder pedals, multi-lever throttle, and standard gear and flap levers. The R-MASS is driven with the D-Six Simulation environment running on a state of the art Pentium computer. The software is designed to give the user full access to flight model code and display configuration.

With this hardware and software combination, users can reconfigure the flight model, displays, and graphics. The R-MASS is also packaged with a second D-Six station for simulation monitoring and control. Options for high-fidelity graphics, control loading, and networking are also available. Ideal users are Universities and Schools, Defense Laboratories, Civil and Military Aircraft Manufacturers, and Training System Developers.

R-MASS Use at Universities and Schools
Universities and Schools needs for simulation are increasing each year. With the R-MASS device, academic institutions can offer students and faculty an easy to use man-in-the-loop flight simulator that can be configured for a number of uses. Instructor can configure the simulator for undergraduate studies in stability and control, control law design, flight test, etc. With the unrestricted access to flight model code and display reconfigurability, the R-MASS is also a valuable research tool.

R-MASS Use at Defense Laboratories
Since the R-MASS Device is based on the D-Six simulation environment flexibility and expandability is key feature. Not only is the R-MASS easily reconfigured with software, the system may also be extended to hardware applications. In the age of simulation-based acquisition, there is an increasing need for simulation infrastructure to test new products like visual systems, control loaders, and other hardware. The R-MASS has the flexibility to provide labs with such a capability.

In addition to acquisition roles, the R-MASS offers COTS equipment for other project based manned simulation needs, such as human factors studies, or generic distributed network players.

R-MASS Use at Civil and Military Aircraft Manufacturers
Aircraft manufacturers, civil and military alike, will benefit from a low-cost reconfigrable simulation station. R-MASS flexibility allows for rapid simulation development during conceptual phases of configuration development. With the use of analytical and experimental data, designers can implement simulations and evaluated them with a pilot well before the first sheet of metal is cut. This low-cost simulation capability also provides a valuable platform for avionics integration as well as marketing.

R-MASS Use at Training System Developers
During the development of training systems the R-MASS provides an intermediate integration platform for flight model development, hardware verification, pilot evaluation, and IOS design. With its reconfigurability, the R-MASS is reusable from effort to effort with surprisingly low overhead.