All terrain ground collision avoidance and maneuvering terrain following for automated low level night attack

The development of an all-terrain ground collision avoidance system (GCAS) in conjunction with a maneuvering terrain following (TF) system is discussed. Both systems use a digital terrain database. The unprecedented pilot interaction available with the automatic systems provides a means to significantly improve combat survivability. The pilot is able to execute high rate turns, evasive maneuvers, and inverted ridge crossings while following the terrain contour. Safety is maintained in day, night, and weather by the ground collision avoidance system. The combination of these systems with an automated attack system, an automatic target handoff system, a night vision system, and a route planner to provide a lethal night attack capability is discussed. Piloted simulation and preliminary flight test results are presented. It is concluded that the GCAS is sufficiently mature to make the transition to operational use. The TF algorithm works well, but flight testing is incomplete