Browsing by Author "Sabatini, Roberto"
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Item Open Access Development of a Laser Test Range for the Italian Air Force: Airborne Laser Systems Performance Prediction, Safety Analysis, Flight Testing and Operational Training(2008-11-25T15:16:17Z) Sabatini, Roberto; Richardson, Mark A.This thesis describes the research work performed for designing, developing and testing a new laser test and training range for the Italian Air Force. This includes the design of new range instrumentation and facilities, development of innovative methods for military systems performance prediction/evaluation and determination of eye-safety requirements for employment of ground and airborne laser systems at the laser range (during both experimental and training activities), and extensive laboratory, ground and flight test activities with state-of-the-art ground/airborne laser systems and laser guided weapons. Between 1997 and 1998 the Italian Air Force Official Flight Test Centre (ItAF-OTC) set the requirements for upgrading the PISQ test/training range (Poligono Interforze del Salto di Quirra - Sardinia - Italy), adding new facilities for carrying out safe training and experimental activities with airborne and ground laser systems, together with LOW delivery tests. According to these initial requirements, the PILASTER (PISQ LASer Test and Evaluation Range) research and development program was divided in two different phases. The aim of the first phase of the program (1999-2002) was to provide an initial operational capability for carrying out, in fully safe conditions, ground tests and flight experimental activities (with related measurements and semi-automated data analysis), required for performance evaluation of military laser systems. The successive phase of the program (still ongoing) is aimed to implementing the PILASTER full operational capability, required for performing all laser test/training activities, including all mission planning and fully-automatedpost-mission data analysistasks (2002-2004). Implementation of suitable mathematical models for laser systems performance analysis (i.e., atmospheric propagation, mission geometry, target back-scattering, etc.) is an essential requirement of the PILASTER program, due to the need for 'realistic' simulation and mission planning, together with reliable post-mission data analysis at the vi range. Very important is also the definition of eye-safety criteria and procedures, since most of current laser systems operate in the near infrared, with considerable risk for the naked human eye. In this research, present laser technology status and future technology trends are investigated, with particular emphasis for the systems now in service or under development for the Italian Air Force. These include the Thompson Convertible Laser Designation Pod (CLDP), The ELOP Portable Laser Designator (PLD) system, Laser Guided Bombs (e.g., PAVEWAY 11, PAVEWAY III and Lizard), and the Marconi- Selenia Laser Obstacle Avoidance System (LOAS) for helicopters. Furthermore, suitable mathematical models for ground/airborne laser systems performance analysis and mission planning are presented, together with innovative methods for evaluating the hazards associated with the use of ground and airborne laser systems at the PILASTER range. Particularly, after describing the technical requirements and design characteristics of the PILASTER range instrumentation, safety issues of state-of-the-art ground/airborne laser systems are thoroughly investigated, in order to identify operational procedures and limitations for the safe employment of such equipment at the PILASTER range during execution of both test and training missions. Furthermore, various mathematical algorithms are presented, developed for the PILASTER simulation and mission planning tools, that allow a complete verification of laser-safety for ground and airborne laser systems. Extensive laboratory, ground and flight experimental activities is performed with both ground and airborne laser systems in order to test the various PILASTER laser range systems and to validate/refine the models developed for systems performance analysis and simulation. Furthermore, the LOAS system is tested both on the ground and in flight, in order to assess the system obstacle detection performance in various weather conditions, and the efficiency of the algorithms developed for obstacle classification and trajectory optimisation.Item Open Access Environmental Impact Assessment, on the Operation of Conventional and More Electric Large Commercial Aircraft(2013-09-17T00:00:00Z) Seresinhe, R.; Lawson, Craig P.; Sabatini, RobertoGlobal aviation is growing exponentially and there is a great emphasis on trajectory optimization to reduce the overall environmental impact caused by aircraft. Many optimization techniques exist and are being studied for this purpose. The CLEAN SKY Joint Technology Initiative for aeronautics and Air transport, a European research activity run under the Seventh Framework program, is a collaborative initiative involving industry, research organizations and academia to introduce novel technologies to improve the environmental impact of aviation. As part of the overall research activities, "green" aircraft trajectories are addressed in the Systems for Green Operations (SGO) Integrated Technology Demonstrator. This paper studies the impact of large commercial aircraft trajectories optimized for different objectives applied to the on board systems. It establishes integrated systems models for both conventional and more electric secondary power systems and studies the impact of fuel, noise, time and emissions optimized trajectories on each configuration. It shows the significant change in the fuel burn due to systems operation and builds up the case as to why a detailed aircraft systems model is required within the optimization loop. Typically, the objective in trajectory optimization is to improve the mission performance of an aircraft or reduce the environmental impact. Hence parameters such as time, fuel burn, emissions and noise are key optimization objectives. In most instances, trajectory optimization is achieved by using models that represent such parameters. For example aircraft dynamics models to describe the flight performance, engine models to calculate the fuel burn, emissions and noise impact, etc. Such techniques have proved to achieve the necessary level of accuracy in trajectory optimization. This research enhances previous techniques by adding in the effect of systems power in the optimization process. A comparison is also made between conventional power systems and more electric architectures. In the conventional architecture, the environmental control system and the ice protection system are powered by engine bleed air while actuators and electrics are powered by engine shaft power off-takes. In the more electric architecture, bleed off take is eliminated and the environmental control system and ice protection system are also powered electrically through engine shaft power off takes.Item Open Access Experimental flight testing of night vision imaging systems in military fighter aircraft(ASTM International, 2013-10-26) Sabatini, Roberto; Richardson, Mark A.; Cantiello, Maurizio; Toscano, Mario; Fiorini, Pietro; Zammit-Mangion, David; Gardi, AlessandroThis paper describes the research and experimental flight test activities conducted by the Italian Air Force Official Test Centre (RSV), in collaboration with Alenia Aermacchi and Cranfield University, in order to confer night vision imaging systems (NVIS) capability to the Italian TORNADO Interdiction and Strike and Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance aircraft. The activities included design, development, test, and evaluation activities, including night vision goggle (NVG) integration, cockpit instruments, and external lighting modifications, as well as various ground test sessions and a total of 18 flight test sorties. RSV and Litton Precision Products were responsible for coordinating and conducting the installation of the internal and external lights. Particularly, an iterative process was established allowing in-site rapid correction of the major deficiencies encountered during the ground and flight test sessions. Both single-ship (day/night) and formation (night) flights were performed, with testing activities shared among the test crews involved, allowing for a redundant examination of the various test items by all participants. An innovative test matrix was developed and implemented by RSV for assessing the operational suitability and effectiveness of the various modifications implemented. Also important was the definition of test criteria for Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer workload assessment during the accomplishment of various operational tasks during NVG missions. Furthermore, the specific technical and operational elements required for evaluating the modified helmets were identified, allowing an exhaustive comparative evaluation of the two proposed solutions (i.e., HGU-55P and HGU-55G modified helmets). The initial compatibility problems encountered were progressively mitigated by incorporating modifications in both front and rear cockpits at various stages of the test campaign. This process allowed considerable enhancement of the TORNADO NVIS configuration, giving good medium- to high-level NVG operational capability to the aircraft. Further developments also include the internal/external lighting for the Italian TORNADO “Mid-Life Update” and other programs such as AMX aircraft internal/external light modification/testing and the activities addressing low-altitude NVG operations with fast jets (e.g., TORNADO, AMX, MB-339CD), with a major issue being the safe ejection of aircrew with NVG and NVG modified helmets. Two options have been identified for solving this problem, namely, the modification of the current Gentex HGU-55 helmets and the design of a new helmet incorporating a reliable NVG connection/disconnection device (i.e., a mechanical system fully integrated in the helmet frame) with embedded automatic disconnection capability in case of ejection. Other relevant issues to be accounted for in these new developments are the helmet dimensions and weight, the NVG usable field of view as a function of eye-relief distance, and the helmet's center of gravity (moment arms) with and without NVG (effect on aircrew fatigue during training and real operational missions)