Feasibility of using synthetic vision technology for UAV operator support

Both in commercial and military aviation, prototypes of synthetic vision systems have been developed and flight-tested. The main goal of these systems is to make the safety and efficiency of the operation independent of visibility conditions. This is achieved by providing the information needed for guidance and situation awareness through a spatially integrated depiction of data regarding the flight path and all relevant constraints. Even more than with manned missions, UAV operators are constrained with respect to the visibility of the environment in which they operate, thus limiting their situation awareness. This paper explores possibilities to achieve an increase in UAV operator situation awareness by using synthetic vision technologies. Based on an analysis of similarities and differences with manned missions, the rationale behind the implementation of a concept demonstrator of a UAV operator interface based on synthetic vision technology is presented.