Weapon targeting training system and method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a training system for training of a forward controller. The training system utilises a pod housing that can be attached to a hardpoint under an aircraft wing. The pod is configured to receive communications from the forward controller on the ground (or in another aircraft) and communicate wirelessly with an HMD and/or electronic device in the cockpit of the aircraft. This allows cheaper, less expensive aircraft to be used for training purposes.

1 . An aircraft based weapon targeting training system for training a forward controller to aim weaponry that is mounted on an aircraft, the weapon targeting training system including:
 a. a housing configured for attachment to an aircraft;   b. a power source housed within the housing, the power source being configured for powering the weapon targeting training system;   c. at least one or more transceivers housed within the housing, the at least one or more transceivers being configured for wireless communication with a surface terminal and a helmet mounted display;   d. at least one or more sensors housed within the housing, the sensors being configured for detecting one or more selected from:
 i. the location of the aircraft; 
 ii. the orientation of the aircraft; 
 iii. the velocity of the aircraft; 
 iv. the acceleration of the aircraft; 
 v. an image from a target on the ground; 
 vi. the air speed of the aircraft; 
 vii. the altitude of the aircraft; 
   e. a controller housed within the housing, the controller being configured for:
 i. receiving a target signal from a surface terminal, the target signal being indicative of a ground target being targeted by the forward controller; and 
 ii. transmitting the target signal wirelessly to a cockpit terminal in the cockpit of the aircraft; 
 iii. receiving from the at least one or more sensors one or more selected from:
 a. a positioning signal indicative of the location of the aircraft; 
 b. an altitude signal indicative of the altitude of the aircraft. 
 c. an airspeed signal indicative of the airspeed of the aircraft; 
 d. an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the aircraft; 
 e. a velocity signal indicative of the velocity of the aircraft; 
 f. an acceleration signal indicative of the acceleration of the aircraft 
 
 iv. calculating the velocity of the aircraft from the positioning signal; and 
 v. calculating a weapon trajectory for a dummy weapon based on one or more selected from:
 a. the positioning signal; 
 b. the airspeed signal; 
 c. the aircraft velocity; and 
 d. the altitude signal; 
 
 vi. calculating one or more selected from a continuously calculated impact point (CCIP) and a continuously calculated release point (CCRP) from the weapon trajectory and electronic terrain data; 
 vii. receiving an HMD orientation signal from one or more selected from an accelerometer and a gyroscope on a helmet mounted display (HMD), the orientation signal being indicative of the orientation of the HMD; 
 viii. determining one or more selected from a helmet display CCIP signal and a helmet display CCRP signal from the CCIP, CCRP and/or and HMD orientation signal; 
 ix. wirelessly transmitting one or more selected from the helmet display CCIP signal and the helmet display CCRP signal to a helmet mounted display in the aircraft;
 x. receiving a pickle signal; and 
 xi. actuating the release of a dummy weapon on receipt of the pickle signal. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for removable attachment to an aircraft. 
     
     
         3 . The training system as claimed in either of  claims 1 , wherein the training system includes:
 a. a first wireless transceiver configured for communicating with a surface terminal; and   b. a second wireless transceiver configured for communicating with a cockpit terminal.   
     
     
         4 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is controllable by the controller to focus on a sensed target on the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The training system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the digital terrain data is three-dimensional terrain data. 
     
     
         6 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. receiving a control signal from a cockpit terminal; and   b. controlling movement of the sensor to focus on a ground target identified by the target signal.   
     
     
         7 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. receiving a sensor signal from the sensor focused on the ground target; and   b. transmitting the sensor signal to the surface terminal.   
     
     
         8 . The training system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. transmitting the sensor signal to the cockpit terminal.   
     
     
         9 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. receiving a confirmation signal from the surface terminal.   
     
     
         10 . The training system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. transmitting the confirmation signal to the cockpit terminal.   
     
     
         11 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the target signal includes an indication of a target location and the controller is configured for:
 a. determining a target signal from the target location; and   b. wirelessly transmitting the target signal to a cockpit terminal in the aircraft.   
     
     
         12 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. determining a CCIP display signal from the CCIP; and   b. wirelessly transmitting the CCIP display signal to a cockpit terminal.   
     
     
         13 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured for:
 a. receiving a pickle signal; and   b. actuating the release of a dummy weapon.   
     
     
         14 . The training system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the weapon targeting training system includes a rack to which a dummy weapon is releasably attachable. 
     
     
         15 . The training system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the rack is mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of training a forward controller to aim weaponry mounted on an aircraft at a target, the method including the steps of:
 a. providing a training system as claimed in  claim 1 ;   b. receiving a target signal from a surface terminal;   c. receiving from at least one or more sensors one or more selected from:
 i. a positioning signal indicative of the location of the aircraft; 
 ii. an altitude signal indicative of the altitude of the aircraft. 
 iii. an airspeed signal indicative of the airspeed of the aircraft; 
 iv. an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the aircraft; 
 v. a velocity signal indicative of the velocity of the aircraft; 
 vi. an acceleration signal indicative of the acceleration of the aircraft 
   a. receiving an HMD orientation signal from one or more selected from an accelerometer and a gyroscope on a helmet mounted display (HMD), the orientation signal being indicative of the orientation of the HMD;   b. calculating a targeting solution of a dummy weapon mounted on the aircraft;   c. generating a helmet mounted display signal from the target signal, the targeting solution and the HMD orientation signal; and   d. transmitting the helmet mounted display signal wirelessly to a helmet mounted display arrangement;   e. wherein the targeting solution is one or more selected from a continuously calculated impact point (CCIP) and a continuously calculated release point (CCRP).