Real-time in-flight planning

Computer-aided mission planning for aircraft performed on the ground cannot aid the aircraft once the mission has begun. Therefore, it is critical that an on-board replanning capability be available to respond to the latest information and to assist the pilot in an ever more capable and lethal threat environment. With increases in avionics processor capability, real-time replanning has become practical and effective. A real-time in-flight mission, tactical, and sensor planning system can be produced to support a conventional low-level aircraft (e.g., F-15, F-16, B-1, C-130). This system must be able to handle large digital terrain databases and large numbers of threats, execute on standard avionics processors, and be completely developed in software and in the DoD standard language of Ada. The Mission Reconfigurable Cockpit (MRC) Real-Time In-Flight Planner (IFP) addresses the needs of the low-level fighter and can assist in replanning with the most up-to-date information. The MRC IFP features real-time auto routing in 50-100 milliseconds (in software), mission planning, tactical planning and sensor planning for improved Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mapping to maximize the opportunity to find the target while reducing threat exposure during the SAR pop manoeuvre. The innovations produced by the MRC program will be enhanced by the Expanded Situational Awareness Insertion (ESAI) program and flight demonstrated on an F-16 aircraft, after which it is expected that the IFP will be ready to make the transition to an operational platform