Over the years, US Army Aviation has evolved into a fast-paced, multi-role (Attack and Reconnaissance) resource to the ground force commander. The addition of even more communications systems and the lack of an evolved human-to-machine interface convinced SCI to create a true 3-Dimensional (3D) Audio capability with the FireComm® Intercommunications System.

Spatial separation between audio outputs with 3D Audio will revolutionize the way a pilot perceives the world. Much like the “cocktail party effect” experienced by an individual in a crowded room, 3D Audio will allow a pilot to respond to several audio inputs simultaneously. No more loss of situational awareness due to task saturation from multiple radios being received simultaneously. 3D audio provides the distinct capability to hear and discern what is vitally important and what is to be ignored. Most importantly, this technology can be integrated into the Apache ICS.

This capability exists with FireComm® now, with no significant hardware changes, and SCI is pursuing a collaborative effort to upgrade the Apache ICS.  Just another example of how SCI Technology is staying on the cutting edge of the current technology, and leading the communications industry for the next generation of Army aircraft.

Jay Thayer is SCI’s Director of Business Development for Aircraft Systems. Read more about his background as an AH-64 pilot here.

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The AH-64E is a combat weapons system that provides reaction time and maneuver space to Ground Force Commanders, enabling them to impose their will on the enemy throughout the battle space. A team of AH-64E Apaches can ultimately be the crucial difference whether our forces can seize, retain, or exploit the initiative. The photo above clearly highlights the awesome vantage point that the platform provides for the crew as they provide reaction time and maneuver space to combatant commanders. However, the extremely complex human-to-machine interaction and workload taking place within the cockpit is often overlooked. What’s not clear is how the crew interacts with this aircraft to get to that vantage point.

As the missions of the AH-64E become more diverse and technology becomes more complex, especially with the advent of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), we often fail to consider how the link between the human and the machine will affect the mission. These combat aviators rely almost completely on a visual interface. Combat systems developers have ignored leveraging the other human senses that can further empower the pilot and increase the operational effectiveness of the aircraft.

The three dimensional audio provided by SCI Technology’s FireComm®  digital intercommunications system (ICS) can allow each aviator to monitor and respond to multiple radios simultaneously, to instinctually react to threat weapons systems, and to increase their reaction time during emergency operations.

Furthermore, the Voice Command Interface feature of FireComm allows the aviator to use voice commands to directly manage the aircraft systems. This added voice capability allows aviators to keep his/her focus outside the aircraft and their hands directly on the flight controls instead of transitioning their attention inside the aircraft to manipulate a multi-function display (MFD).

Implementation of added aural and audio technological capabilities will further enable AH-64E aircrews to continue to conduct air-ground operations (AGO) in support of ground force commanders.

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