E. H. Reitan
ABSTRACT
The Marine Air Traffic Control and Landing System (MATCALS), being implemented by the Naval Electronic Systems Command, provides advanced capabilities for fully automatic all-weather landing. Using radar-derived aircraft position reports, a ground computer provides appropriate guidance commands, which are transmitted to the aircraft's autopilot, and used to fly the aircraft automatically to touchdown.
Due to severe system requirements of one-half minute landing intervals, and six aircraft simultaneously on final approach, a unique combination of display presentation and operator interaction techniques must be used. These support ground operators who as controllers are responsible for initialization of each landing sequence, monitoring its progress, and aborting the sequence if an unsafe condition develops.
A display concept has been developed for MATCALS with the goal of reducing the controller's workload and increasing his effectiveness. The display is used as a single working surface for both output and input functions. A dynamic, graphical display format presentation, with alphanumeric annotation, and alert information is displayed for the operator in multiple colors. More than 150 system controls are organized on the same display as a highly structured hierarchy of virtual control buttons grouped into menus. The operator is prompted through all data entry and control sequences. All operator entry is made by using a "Rand" type data tablet.
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