JPH04298000A - Device and method for making flight plan - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a plan in real time by effectively using characteristics of a helicopter and enabling it to reach the target of its duty without being recognized as a threat and avoiding the internal strife due to erroneous shooting of friends. CONSTITUTION:Data indicating the target, the arrival time, the base, etc., is inputted from an input device 6, and data of flight corridors, weather, threat, etc., of a communication equipment 2 obtained from an external system 8 is discriminated by an online controller 4 and is stored by a dynamic data base 3, and the flight plan including an optimum route and a flight summary obtained by processing of data of the data base 3; and the input device 6 and required time and fuel calculated in accordance with the optimum route and the flight summary is displayed on a display device 7, thus making the optimum flight plan effectively using the characteristics or the helicopter in real time.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a flight planning device and a flight planning method, and in particular, the present invention relates to a flight planning device and a flight planning method, and in particular, the present invention relates to a flight planning device and a flight planning method, and in particular, directs a helicopter (hereinafter referred to as a helicopter) to a given target through an arbitrary theater containing a series of dangers. In order to achieve this goal, the system for formulating a flight plan including an optimal route, in particular the optimal route and flight procedure obtained by processing data from input devices and databases, and the required time and flight route calculated from the optimal route and flight procedure. This system and method are hereinafter referred to as the present system for convenience.

0002

[Prior Art] FIG. 3 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-29271
1 shows a block configuration of a conventional tactical routing system disclosed in Publication No. 1. In the figure, 2 is a communication system, 5 is a communication system, and 5 is a communication system.
9 is a central processing unit, 9 is a map database, 8 is a threat database, 7 is a display device, and 10 is a keyboard.

Next, the operation will be explained. A first arbitrary route having a start point, an end point, and passing through a selected number of passing points is selected and input using the keyboard 10. The arbitrary route is processed by a central processing unit 5 (hereinafter referred to as CPU).
Divide it into multiple straight line segments, and while considering the length of the line segments and the proximity to each threat based on the threat database 8, calculate the probability of shooting down sequentially due to each of them, and the combination of these to calculate the probability of shooting down the entire path. The CPU 5 determines and stores the cumulative shot down probability that occurs along the length. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned passing points is sequentially swayed in a given direction, and each of the locally desirable passing points on either side is determined from the viewpoint of the lowest probability of being shot down with respect to the passage line segment for each passing point. The cumulative shot down probability of the connected routes is calculated by the CPU 5 to obtain the optimal route. The obtained optimal route is displayed on the display device 7 along with its cumulative shot down probability using the map data base 9. Note that the communication system 2 is used for updating the threat database and the like.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Since the conventional flight planning device and method are configured as described above,
The route is determined based on the probability of being shot down based on the distance from the threat and its cumulative probability. On the other hand, since tactical helicopters primarily fly over their allies, they must operate within the airspace for which they have been permitted to fly (hereinafter referred to as the flight corridor), and if they leave this airspace without prior notice, they may be attacked by friendly anti-aircraft weapons. There is a risk of being mistakenly fired. Also, due to the nature of its functionality, helicopters are able to fly at extremely low altitudes following the terrain, but when they are in such a flight mode, it is difficult for communication waves to reach them, making it difficult to identify friend or foe. It is. Furthermore, flying at such low altitudes poses great risks in times of strong winds and poor visibility. Therefore, from among multiple flight corridors, the shortest combination is selected while taking into account weather conditions, and the appropriate speed and altitude are set for the selected route based on weather and other conditions, and the time required for the journey is calculated. , it is necessary to use these as a flight plan for the helicopter.
Therefore, conventional routing systems are difficult to apply to helicopter flight planning.

[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by making use of the characteristics of helicopters, it is possible to reach the mission target without being recognized as a threat, and it also prevents accidental fire from allies. An object of the present invention is to obtain a flight planning device and a flight planning method that can avoid offset caused by the above, perform real-time planning, and obtain a flight plan that is optimal for accomplishing a mission.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A flight planning device and a flight planning method according to the present invention are provided by inputting data representing a target in a theater (route end point position), a time to be reached, and a base (route starting point position). The device inputs data representing all flight corridors from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position), data representing local weather information, and data regarding threats from an external system via a communication device. identifying by an online control device that the data of the communication device has been captured, storing the data of the communication device by a dynamic database, and processing the data from the input device and the dynamic database to obtain data from the input device and the dynamic database; A flight plan including the optimal route and flight procedure, and the required time and fuel calculated from the optimal route and flight procedure is created by the CPU, and the flight plan is displayed on the display device.

[0007] In addition, this flight plan planning method lists all routes from a base (route starting point position) to a target (route ending point position), and calculates all routes existing on all the routes listed above. Give the four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility to the flight corridor of Among the flight corridors identified, those with unacceptably high wind speed or visibility attribute values for helicopter flight are marked, the presence or absence of unmarked flight corridors is determined, and the identified marked flight corridors are marked. For each flight corridor that does not exist, the cost is calculated using an appropriate algorithm, and the route with the minimum cost, that is, the optimal route, is searched. For all flight corridors included in the optimal route, the speed level and altitude level are set for each corridor according to certain predetermined criteria based on the attribute values of wind speed and visibility, and the sensor coverage area of the threat is set. Taking this into consideration, altitude limits will be set for flight corridors within the same coverage area, and such speed and altitude, in other words, flight guidelines will be set. Considering the above-mentioned optimal route and the above-mentioned flight procedure, the scheduled passage time of each checkpoint is calculated backward from the target arrival time (mission), and the required fuel is calculated. This method displays a flight plan in which a scheduled passage time and required fuel are added to the optimal route and flight instructions.

[0008]

[Operation] In this invention, by abolishing the conventional threat database and installing an online control device and a dynamic database, it is possible to import threat information in addition to weather information in real time, and from the online control device. Even if the CPU is calculating the route based on the data up to that point, the newly inputted data can be used to calculate the optimal route in real time, resulting in the optimal flight plan for accomplishing the mission. You can get a planning device.

[0009] In addition, all routes from the base to the target are listed, the four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility are given to search for the optimal route, and all flight corridors included in the optimal route are searched. On the other hand, the flight procedure is set, and the scheduled passage time and required fuel for each checkpoint are calculated in consideration of the above-mentioned optimal route and the above-mentioned flight procedure, and if there is any data that has been changed up to this point, it is possible to interrupt processing. This allows for real-time planning and the creation of an optimal flight plan for the helicopter.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a flight planning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a flight planning device, 2 is a communication device for importing data representing flight corridors related to the theater, data representing local weather information, and data regarding threats from an external system, and 3 is a communication device for the communication device 1. A dynamic database that stores data; 4 is an online control device that identifies that the data of the communication device 1 has been imported; 6 is an input device for inputting data representing a target (route end point position) and a base (route start point position); 5 is a CPU for processing data from the input device 6 and the dynamic database 3 and thereby creating a flight plan including an optimal route, flight instructions, etc.; 7 is a display device for displaying the plan; We are prepared.

[0011] In the main text, the term "optimal route" is
It is used to mean a combination of multiple flight corridors that the helicopter can fly and has the shortest route, and therefore does not necessarily mean the best route that a helicopter can fly.

The system 1 also receives flight corridor, threat information, and weather information from an external system via the communication device 2 for determining the optimal route and flight procedure. The above flight corridor lists all the routes from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position) (hereinafter, the points at both ends of the flight corridor on the route are collectively referred to as checkpoints), Checkpoints are expressed by ground coordinates, which are collectively referred to in the text, as well as place names and connection information with other checkpoints. Next, the threat information shall consist of the threat's location coordinates and the coverage area of low-altitude surveillance radar (assuming that tactical operations of helicopters at medium and high altitudes are rare).
If the coverage area is unknown, a reasonable value is adopted as a default, taking into consideration technological trends. The weather information mainly relates to local weather and includes data such as wind direction, wind speed, and visibility at arbitrary position coordinates.

Next, the flight corridor, threat information, and weather information taken in by the communication device 2 are sent to the online control device 4.
is stored in the dynamic database 3 in a predetermined format, and at the same time, the central processing unit 5 is notified that the above information has been updated by the online control unit 4. Furthermore, when the central processing unit 5 is executing a planning process based on existing data, this mechanism immediately reads new data from the dynamic database 3 and recalculates if necessary, making real-time response possible. Become.

Next, the operation of this flight planning system will be explained with reference to FIG. 2, assuming an initial flight planning process. First, find the optimal route. The planning process is typically triggered by an input device 6. The mission and other necessary information are input using the input device 6. The above mission only requires the items necessary for creating a flight plan, and in this system, it is the coordinates of the target and the time at which it should be reached. Additionally, enter the coordinates of the base from which the helicopter will take off. These coordinates may or may not be part of the mission. The input method is assumed to be a keyboard, but if there is a more advanced human interface, it is not specified.

Next, the central processing unit 5 determines the nearest checkpoint from the target coordinates and the helicopter base. For example, set the checkpoint closer to the base to
point, and the one closest to the target is point E. Then, all routes between SE and E are calculated based on the data regarding checkpoints in the dynamic database 3, and all routes between S and E listed above are calculated based on the data regarding checkpoints in dynamic database 3. The four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility are given to all flight corridors existing on the route of (S1). This attribute value is set to be larger as the distance is longer, larger as the wind speed is higher, and smaller as the visibility is better (the sum of the four attribute values is hereinafter referred to as cost).
. Also, regarding the threat, an attribute value is set using an evaluation algorithm, and the larger the threat, the larger the attribute value is set. Correlation processing is then performed on the above four attribute values, and costs are assigned for each flight corridor.

Next, the flight corridors included in each route are scanned, and flight corridors with unacceptably high wind speed or visibility attribute values for the helicopter to fly are marked (S2).

The routes in which discontinuous areas have occurred through the processing up to this point, ie, the marked flight corridors, are excluded from the candidates. Then, it is determined whether there is an unmarked flight corridor or not.
3. If all routes are removed here, it is necessary to set a new flight corridor using the input device 6 (S31). If there are multiple routes that can be selected at this stage, the costs assigned to each flight corridor are summed up using an appropriate algorithm for each route (S4).
, searches for a route with the minimum cost (S6). This is called the optimal route. Therefore, the distance of the route is determined by cost calculation at this stage. Then, it is determined whether there is a route that minimizes the cost (S7), and if there is no route that minimizes the cost, it is necessary to set a new flight corridor as described above (S31).

Next, the flight procedure is determined. For all flight corridors included in the optimal route, a speed level and an altitude level are set for each flight corridor according to two attribute values, wind speed and visibility, and according to a certain predetermined criterion. Also,
Based on the data related to the threat read from the dynamic database 3, a limit altitude (an altitude above which flight is prohibited) for the optimal route that is within the sensor coverage area of the threat is set (S9). This speed and altitude are called flight instructions.

Next, the flight plan is displayed. The total length of the optimal route is calculated, and at the same time, each checkpoint passage time is calculated backward from the target arrival time to calculate the required fuel (S10).

[0020]Here, the above-mentioned optimal route is given the speed, altitude, and limit altitude for each flight route, which is the flight procedure, and the applicable route, as well as checkpoint passing time and required fuel, to form a flight plan, and the display device 7 Output to (S1
2).

[0021] This flight plan planning device and flight plan planning method uses the CPU 5 based on the data up to that point.
In order to be able to calculate the optimal route in real time using newly input data even when the route is being calculated, the passage time of each checkpoint is calculated from the stage when the cost is calculated for each flight corridor (S4). Step of calculating (S
Interruption is possible within the range of 10). In other words, this interrupt processing A is performed at the stage where the cost is calculated for each flight corridor (S4
), interrupt processing A is permitted (S5), and it is determined whether or not there is changed data (S51). If there is new data, that is, changed data, then
Immediately read new data from the dynamic database 3 and re-add attribute values that need to be changed (S53)
, recalculate the cost that needs to be changed (S54). If there is no changed data, return to the original process (S
52). Furthermore, after the step of calculating the passing time of each checkpoint (S10), interruptions are prohibited (S11).
).

As described above, in the above embodiment, data representing the target in the theater (route end point position), the time to reach it, and the base (route start point position) are inputted by the input device 6,
Data representing all flight corridors from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position), data representing local weather information, and data regarding threats are imported from an external system via the communication device 2, and the communication Online control device 4 confirms that data has been imported from device 2.
, the data of the communication device 2 is stored in the dynamic database 3, and the optimal route and flight procedure obtained by processing the data from the input device 6 and the dynamic database 3; The CPU 5 creates a flight plan that includes the required time and fuel required, and displays the flight plan on the display device 7, so that the tactical helicopter can follow the mission given to it and reach its mission goal without fail. It is possible to provide flight plans in real time. That is, the system is designed to handle changes in the number of known threats,
Even when a threat moves or a flight corridor becomes difficult to pass due to threat or weather conditions, the optimal flight plan is created under those conditions, even if it is based on previous data. Even if there is, it can be updated in real time.

In addition, as a method for realizing a flight plan, all routes from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position) are listed up, and all routes existing on all the routes listed above are For each flight corridor, give four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility, refer to the data in the dynamic database 3, add attribute values according to predetermined criteria according to each numerical value, and calculate the attribute values. Among the added flight corridors, those with unacceptably high wind speed or visibility attribute values for helicopter flight are marked, the presence or absence of unmarked flight corridors is determined, and the identified marked flight corridors are marked. For each flight corridor that has not yet been completed, the cost is calculated using an appropriate algorithm, and the route with the minimum cost, that is, the optimal route, is searched. For all flight corridors included in the searched optimal route, according to predetermined criteria based on the attribute values of wind speed and visibility,
Set speed and altitude levels for each flight corridor,
Furthermore, considering the sensor coverage area of the threat, set altitude limits for flight corridors within the same coverage area, set such speed and altitude, that is, flight guidelines, and consider the above optimal route and flight instructions. Then, the scheduled passage time of each checkpoint is calculated backwards from the target arrival time (mission) to calculate the required fuel. Since a flight plan is displayed in which a scheduled passage time and required fuel are added to the above-mentioned optimal route and above-mentioned flight procedure, the same effects as above are achieved.

[0024]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the flight planning device and the flight planning method according to the present invention, the target in the theater (route end point position), the time to reach, and the base (route starting point position) are inputting data using an input device;
Data representing all flight corridors from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position), data representing local weather information, and data regarding threats are imported from an external system via a communication device, and the communication device The on-line control device identifies that data has been taken in, stores the data of the communication means in a dynamic database, and processes the data from the input device and the dynamic database to obtain an optimal route and flight. The CPU creates a flight plan that includes the flight route, the required time, and the required fuel calculated from the optimal route and flight route, and displays the flight plan on the display device, so that the tactical helicopter can follow the mission assigned to it. , can provide a flight plan in real time to ensure the mission reaches its goal. That is, the system is designed to handle changes in the number of known threats, movement of threats,
Even when flight corridors that are difficult to pass due to threats or weather conditions arise, the optimal flight plan under those conditions can be created in real time, even if the plan is being created based on previous data. It has an effect that can be renewed.

[0025] Also, all the routes from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position) are listed, and for all the flight corridors existing on all the routes listed above, Given the four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility, by referring to the data in the dynamic database 3, attribute values are added according to predetermined criteria according to each value, and among the flight corridors to which the attribute values have been added, Marking flight corridors with unacceptably high wind speed or visibility attribute values for helicopter flight, determining the presence or absence of unmarked flight corridors, and for each determined unmarked flight corridor, The cost is calculated using an appropriate algorithm, and the route with the minimum cost, ie, the optimal route, is searched. For all flight corridors included in the searched optimal route, the speed level and altitude level are set for each flight corridor according to predetermined criteria based on the attribute values of wind speed and visibility, and the threat level is set for each flight corridor. Taking into consideration the sensor coverage area, set altitude limits for flight corridors within the same coverage area, set such speed and altitude, that is, flight guidelines, and take into account the above optimal route and flight instructions, Set the checkpoint's scheduled passage time to the target arrival time (mission)
Calculate the required fuel by calculating backwards from Since a flight plan is displayed in which the scheduled passage time and required fuel are added to the optimal route and flight instructions, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of a flight planning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a flight planning method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing the configuration of a conventional tactical routing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Flight planning system 2 Communication device 3 Dynamic database 4 Online control device 5 CPU 6 Input device 7 Display device 8 External system

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A flight planning device that determines the optimal route to a target from a plurality of flight corridors given within a designated theater, comprising: a target (route end point position), a time to reach, and a base (route an input means for inputting data representing the starting point position), data representing all flight corridors from the base in the theater (route starting point position) to the target (route ending position), data representing local weather information, and a communication means for importing data regarding a threat from an external system; a means for identifying that data of the communication means has been imported; a storage means for storing data of the communication means; the input means; and the storage. a processing means for creating a flight plan including an optimal route and flight instructions obtained by processing data from the means, and a required time and required fuel calculated from the optimal route and flight instructions; A flight plan planning device characterized by comprising display means. [Claim 2] List all the routes from the base (route start point position) to the target (route end point position), and for all flight corridors existing on all the routes listed above, a step of providing four parameters of threat, distance, wind speed, and visibility, and adding attribute values according to predetermined criteria according to each numerical value by referring to data in a storage means that stores communication means data; Among the flight corridors to which attribute values have been added, a step of marking flight corridors having unacceptably high wind speed or visibility attribute values for helicopter flight, and a step of determining the presence or absence of unmarked flight corridors. , calculating the cost using an appropriate algorithm for each determined unmarked flight corridor; searching for a route with the minimum cost, that is, an optimal route; For all flight corridors, there is a stage in which speed levels and altitude levels are set for each flight corridor according to predetermined standards based on attribute values of wind speed and visibility, and the sensor coverage area of the threat is also taken into consideration. , setting altitude limits for flight corridors within the same coverage area, setting such speed and altitude, that is, flight procedures, and planning passage through each checkpoint in consideration of the above-mentioned optimal route and flight procedures. the step of calculating the required fuel by calculating the time from the target arrival time (mission); and the step of displaying a flight plan in which the scheduled passage time and the required fuel are added to the optimal route and the flight procedure. Characteristic flight planning method.