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Technology update
Cockpit cohesion
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Cockpit ergonomics are important on all aircraft—but particularly on those in a military role. Airbus Military Company (AMC) has designed the A400M four-engine turboprop to meet the requirements of up to seven nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the UK) for a future logistical and tactical military transport. It has used Aerospatiale Matra Airbus (AMA) design experience in the creation of Airbus and Franco-Italian ATR airliners as a basis for the A400M's cockpit; AMA is responsible for the A400M's cockpit design, which is said by AMA to reflect "extensive synergy," with that of the forthcoming Airbus A3XX airliner—the cockpit of which is also Aerospatiale Matra's responsibility—and with other Airbus airliners.
Design techniques similar to those used for the A3XX are being applied to the military aircraft including virtual simulators and digital plus physical models. There is integration of new technologies common to the two programs, including new displays and new man/machine interfaces. A Cockpit Task Force was established that received input from potential international customers for the A400M.
Aerospatiale's publication, Revue, detailed the design process for the 400M cockpit. Two types of models were employed and regularly updated to embody the various changes occurring throughout the design and development phases. One of these was the digital model. CAD studies were integrated into a virtual environment that provided a highly realistic rendering of the cockpit, enabling visibility and accessibility aspects to be studied and the aircraft to be placed in a representative operational theater. This allowed a number of novel concepts to be considered at less cost. While this phase was in progress, a simplified physical model of the cockpit was established to focus particularly on ergonomics, movement within the cockpit, and the use of military apparel such as helmets, gloves, night vision goggles, and NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protective suits.
Aerospatiale said that at first sight, the similarity between the A400M mock-up and that of the Airbus A320 and A340 airliner flight decks is clear. In particular, the fly-by-wire controls provide flight control laws adapted to the different phases of flight, protection for the flight envelope, and greater comfort. The sidestick controllers leave a clear space in front of the pilots and allow retractable work surfaces to be installed. The A400M design incorporates a glass cockpit philosophy with liquid crystal displays throughout, including the integrated back-up instrumentation. Generally, the A400M would have a two-pilot layout, although some air forces may prefer a position for a third crew member, which is provided for behind and between the pilots.
Two wide-view head-up displays (HUDs) give primary data at low altitudes, including takeoff and landing, and during air drops or air-to-air refueling. The HUD is the primary flight instrument. A main instrument panel contains five displays that can be operated in four different modes to show primary flight data, navigation data, engine parameters, and warning messages plus synoptic displays. However, the displays have added versatility, including the showing of video images from on-board cameras, potential threats, maps, and vertical-navigation profiles.
Dialog with the displays is via a graphic interface with menus and icons on which selections are made with pointing devices, which can be likened to the mouse used with desktop PCs. This permits highly intuitive, flexible interactive interfacing with the systems. A flight plan can be modified directly on a terrain map display containing elevation data. On the central column, three identically sized displays access military-specific functions, including mission control functions. If a third cockpit crew member is carried, one of the screens is dedicated to that member's tasks. There is also a keyboard and a number of specific controls.
Stuart Birch
Aerospace Engineering March 2000
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