AH-64 IHADSS aviator vision experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Keith L Hiatt; Clarence E. Rash; Eric S. Harris; William H. McGilberry

doi:10.1117/12.541385

8 September 2004 AH-64 IHADSS aviator vision experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Keith L Hiatt, Clarence E. Rash, Eric S. Harris, William H. McGilberry

Proceedings Volume 5442, Helmet- and Head-Mounted Displays IX: Technologies and Applications; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.541385
Event: Defense and Security, 2004, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Forty AH-64 Apache aviators representing a total of 8564 flight hours and 2260 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom and its aftermath were surveyed for their visual experiences with the AH-64's monocular Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS) helmet-mounted display in a combat environment. A major objective of this study was to determine if the frequencies of reports of visual complaints and illusions reported in the previous studies, addressing mostly benign training environments, differ in the more stressful combat environments. The most frequently reported visual complaints, both while and after flying, were visual discomfort and headache, which is consistent with previous studies. Frequencies of complaints after flying in the current study were numerically lower for all complaint types, but differences from previous studies are statistically significant only for visual discomfort and disorientation (vertigo). With the exception of "brownout/whiteout," reports of degraded visual cues in the current study were numerically lower for all types, but statistically significant only for impaired depth perception, decreased field of view, and inadvertent instrumental meteorological conditions. This study also found statistically lower reports of all static and dynamic illusions (with one exception, disorientation). This important finding is attributed to the generally flat and featureless geography present in a large portion of the Iraqi theater and to the shift in the way that the aviators use the two disparate visual inputs presented by the IHADSS monocular design (i.e., greater use of both eyes as opposed to concentrating primarily on display imagery).

Citation Download Citation

Keith L Hiatt, Clarence E. Rash, Eric S. Harris, and William H. McGilberry "AH-64 IHADSS aviator vision experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom", Proc. SPIE 5442, Helmet- and Head-Mounted Displays IX: Technologies and Applications, (8 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.541385

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