Head movement data were collected from F-15C pilots during simulated air-to-air engagements. The pilots wore helmets fitted with a helmet-mounted display and sight. In the conditions when the display was turned on, pilots viewed flight and weapon information on the display, and used head movements to direct their radar and missiles. In other conditions the display was turned off, and engagements were conducted in the conventional manner. A number of techniques are presented for analyzing and visualizing head movement data. The results of the analysis indicate more head movement with the display turned on, but the results are not statistically significant. It is suggested that this could have been because, despite the display being turned on, pilots still made frequent head movements towards the HUD. There was significantly more head movement during engagements which were conducted within visual range, than those which were commenced beyond visual range. There were also significantly larger displacements and faster movements in azimuth than in elevation. Peak velocities reached 344 degrees/sec in elevation and 60]. degrees/sec in azimuth.

Date Published: 1 October 1990
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 1290, Helmet-Mounted Displays II, (1 October 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.20971

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1290:
Helmet-Mounted Displays II
Ronald J. Lewandowski, Editor(s)