Field results of a high-reliability electromechanical display for the F-15 aircraft

Robert D. Seinfeld; Robert P. Herman

doi:10.1117/12.357590

16 August 1999 Field results of a high-reliability electromechanical display for the F-15 aircraft

Proceedings Volume 3690, Cockpit Displays VI: Displays for Defense Applications; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357590
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Electromechanical flight instruments in military aircraft are being replaced by flat panels. One of the reasons often stated is to improve reliability. This paper discusses a project initiated several years ago to design, develop, qualify, manufacture and flight test an electromechanical Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) designed for high reliability for the F-15 aircraft. This indicator was to have a guaranteed Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 10,000 hours minimum. This paper discuses the results of this project after completing development, qualification testing, manufacture and several years of operational flights on 2 squadrons of F-15 aircraft. The results will be compared to experience gained in flying flat panel displays in a commercial jet aircraft. The comparison shows that the electromechanical flight instrument as designed, demonstrates a reliability equal to or greatly exceeding that of current flat panel displays. Most electromechanical flight instruments in use today were designed and manufactured 25 to 30 years ago. Their intended useful life, by specification, was 10 years with an MTBF requirement of approximately 1,000 hours. It is shown that the specification requirements for useful life as well as reliability requirements can be greatly expanded for electromechanical flight instruments to equal or exceed that of flat panel displays. This paper describes some of the design techniques and test methods used which have achieved such high reliability of the electromechanical HSI in an F-15 environment. A case is thus presented for the continued application of high reliability electromechanical instruments in certain cockpit applications with many benefits to the user.

Citation Download Citation

Robert D. Seinfeld and Robert P. Herman "Field results of a high-reliability electromechanical display for the F-15 aircraft", Proc. SPIE 3690, Cockpit Displays VI: Displays for Defense Applications, (16 August 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357590

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
6 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Reliability

Electromechanical design

Flat panel displays

Astronomical engineering

Lamps

Manufacturing

Cockpit displays

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years