FR3146462A1 - Aircraft intended to carry out a mission, mission set and associated implementation method - Google Patents

Abstract

Aircraft intended to carry out a mission, mission set, and associated implementation method The aircraft comprises an onboard mission system which comprises a plurality of consoles (42A - 42G) for controlling and monitoring the operation of sensors (28, 30) and tactical monitoring capable of being operated by operators each having an operator profile authorizing them to control at least one sensor (28, 30) and to monitor at least one tactical monitoring data. The operator profiles comprise at least two distinct operator profiles. The consoles (42A - 42G) are standardized consoles, each standardized console (42A - 42G) being configured to be operated according to all operator profiles, and, after selection of a given operator profile, to make accessible from the standardized console (42A - 42G), the control and monitoring of operation of the or each sensor (28, 30) associated with the given operator profile and the tactical monitoring data associated with the given operator profile. Figure for abstract: figure 4

Description

Aircraft intended to carry out a mission, mission set and associated implementation method

The present invention relates to an aircraft intended to carry out a mission, comprising a cockpit and a rear cabin, the cabin comprising an on-board mission system, the on-board mission system comprising:

- a plurality of consoles for controlling and monitoring the operation of sensors and tactical monitoring, the consoles being capable of being operated by operators each having an operator profile authorizing them to control at least one sensor and to monitor at least one piece of tactical monitoring data, the operator profiles comprising at least two distinct operator profiles making it possible to control two distinct sets of sensors and/or to monitor two distinct sets of tactical monitoring data.

Such an aircraft is intended, for example, to carry out aerial patrol missions, particularly maritime patrol.

The patrol missions to be carried out by the aircraft are varied. They include, for example, support missions for a naval force, in particular surveillance, support and protection, intelligence missions, in particular listening, or search and rescue missions, pollution control missions, or maritime policing, in particular in the context of the fight against drug traffickers or piracy.

Such an aircraft is intended in particular to carry droppable payloads, in particular buoys carrying acoustic sensors, torpedoes, or anti-ship missiles. It is also intended to carry sensors enabling the detection of tracks, in particular a Radar sensor, optronic sensors, magnetic anomaly detection sensors, electronic warfare sensors or listening sensors.

The tactical tracking data produced by the various sensors is processed and used within the aircraft to locate tracks, follow them, classify them and identify them, if necessary.

In a known aircraft of the aforementioned type, for example the ATL2, the on-board mission system comprises a plurality of dedicated consoles, intended to be occupied by operators.

For example, one console is dedicated specifically to controlling electronic warfare or magnetic anomaly detection sensors, another console is dedicated to the optronic sensor and/or radar, and one or two other consoles are dedicated to acoustic detection.

In addition, the aircraft has dedicated observer positions, which are located in front of the aircraft's windows.

Typically, on an ATL2, seven consoles are required to perform all the missions planned for such an aircraft. Each console is dedicated to a specific sensor or a specific activity, such as tactical coordination.

In addition, additional workstations are provided, without consoles, in particular for carrying out observations on the sides of the aircraft, or at the front of it.

Such an aircraft therefore requires a large number of workstations to carry out all the planned missions. Furthermore, since the consoles are dedicated to a specific type of sensor or activity, each of the workstations must be associated with a specific operator, which increases the number of operators that must be on board.

In the case of the ATL2, the standard crew consists of thirteen people, including two pilots and a mechanic carrying out the payload release operations, seven tactical operators, managing the various sensors and tactical coordination, and three observers who are sometimes also experts in the detection provided by one or other of the sensors.

Such an aircraft can be improved. In particular, depending on the mission, some positions are not necessarily filled or necessary. In addition, it is very difficult to upgrade the sensors available within the aircraft, in particular when adding new sensors or new tracking systems, since the existing consoles are dedicated to specific sensors, and since the space present in the aircraft is limited.

An object of the invention is to obtain an aircraft capable of carrying out a wide variety of aerial patrol missions, in particular maritime patrol missions, which is more economical to operate, while being easily adaptable to receive or process data from new sensors, or new tracking tools.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aircraft of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the consoles are standardized consoles, each standardized console being configured to be operated according to all operator profiles, and, after selection of a given operator profile from among the operator profiles, to make accessible from the standardized console, the control and monitoring of operation of the or each sensor associated with the given operator profile and the tactical monitoring data associated with the given operator profile.

The aircraft according to the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- all standardized consoles are identical;

- each standardized console includes a human-machine interface for controlling the sensor or sensors corresponding to the given operator profile, a tactical monitoring screen intended for viewing tactical monitoring data corresponding to the given operator profile and, advantageously, an input and pointing device;

- the mission system comprises a database of operator profiles, each operator profile being associated in the database with at least one sensor and at least one item of tactical tracking data accessible to an operator presenting the operator profile, each standardized console comprising a profile loading module, capable of identifying the operator profile corresponding to the operator wishing to use the console, and of activating the control and monitoring of the operation of the or each sensor corresponding to the operator profile, and access to the or each item of tactical tracking data corresponding to the operator profile, using the database of operator profiles;

- the operator profile database associates with at least one operator profile, at least one sensor shared by a plurality of operator profiles, advantageously shared by all the operator profiles, the control and monitoring of operation of the shared sensor and/or access to the or each tactical monitoring data produced by the shared sensor being accessible to the plurality of operator profiles, advantageously to all the operator profiles, and/or

the operator profile database associates with at least one given operator profile, at least one sensor specific to this given operator profile, the control and monitoring of operation of the specific sensor and/or access to the or each tactical monitoring data produced by the specific sensor being accessible only to this given operator profile;

- each standardized console includes a module for retrieving and identifying tactical tracking data, capable of enabling an operator to provide identification information relating to at least one track of an actor moving around the aircraft, the mission system including a central coordination unit, capable of being connected to each standardized console, the central coordination unit being capable of receiving the tactical tracking data and the identification information from all the standardized consoles to develop a tactical tracking visualization;

- the sensors include sensors embedded in the aircraft, such as a radar sensor, an electronic warfare sensor, an optronic sensor, a magnetic anomaly detection sensor and/or the sensors include sensors not embedded in the aircraft, in particular a sensor embedded on another platform, or a sensor dropped from the aircraft, in particular an acoustic sensor;

- the aircraft comprises at least two standardised observation consoles located longitudinally in the cabin opposite observation windows, the mission system comprising at least three additional standardised consoles located in the cabin;

- the mission system includes at least two additional standardized consoles in addition to the three additional standardized consoles and the two standardized observation consoles;

- the additional standard consoles are arranged longitudinally on either side of a longitudinal aisle of the cabin, or are all located transversely on one side of a longitudinal aisle of the cabin;

- the mission system includes a data transmission assembly with a ground segment, capable of transmitting to the ground segment data produced by each standardized console, in particular sensor operating data and/or tactical tracking data;

- at least one operator profile is a tactical coordinator profile, each standardized console being capable, upon selection of the tactical coordinator profile, of accessing the commands and operating monitoring of all sensors and the tactical monitoring data produced by all sensors;

- the operator profile is chosen from:

- an acoustic sensor manager profile, each standardized console being capable, upon selection of the acoustic sensor manager profile, of accessing the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one acoustic detection sensor and of monitoring acoustic data produced by the acoustic detection sensor;

- an optronic and radar sensor manager profile, each standardized console being specific, upon selection of the optronic and radar sensor manager profile, to access the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one radar and/or optronic sensor and to the monitoring of optronic and/or radar data produced by the radar and/or optronic sensor;

- an electromagnetic sensor manager profile, each standardized console being capable, upon selection of the electromagnetic sensor manager profile, of accessing the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one electronic warfare sensor and/or at least one magnetic anomaly detection sensor and of electronic warfare and/or magnetic anomaly detection data produced by the electronic warfare sensor and/or by the magnetic anomaly detection sensor.

The invention also relates to a mission set comprising:

- an aircraft as defined above;

- a ground segment comprising at least one standardized ground console, advantageously identical to at least one of the standardized consoles of the plurality of standardized consoles, the standardized ground console being capable of receiving sensor data and/or tactical tracking data from at least one standardized console of the plurality of consoles of the mission system on board the aircraft.

The invention also relates to a method for implementing at least one mission, comprising the following steps:

- flight of an aircraft as defined above in a mission environment;

- activation, during the flight of the aircraft, of a first standardized console by a first mission operator having a first operator profile, the first operator accessing, on the first standardized console, the controls and the operating monitoring data of a first set of sensors corresponding to the first operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of a first set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to the first operator profile;

- activation, during the flight of the aircraft, of a second standardized console distinct from the first standardized console by a second mission operator having a second operator profile distinct from the first operator profile, the second operator accessing, on the second standardized console, the controls and the operational monitoring data of a second set of sensors corresponding to the second operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of a second set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to the second operator profile.

The method according to the invention may comprise the following characteristic:

- during the flight of the aircraft, or during a subsequent flight of the aircraft, the second mission operator having a second operator profile activates the first standardized console, the second operator accessing, on the first standardized console, the commands and the operational monitoring data of the second set of sensors corresponding to the second operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of the second tactical monitoring data set corresponding to the second operator profile.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following description, given solely as an example, and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- there is a perspective view from below of a first aircraft intended for carrying out maritime patrol missions according to the invention;

- there is a top view of a cabin plan of the aircraft of the ;

- there is a view analogous to the for a cabin plan variant;

- there is a schematic of a standardized console of the aircraft mission system of the ;

- there illustrates a mission set comprising an aircraft as shown in the , and a ground segment, connected to the aircraft by a data transmission device.

A first aircraft 10 according to the invention, intended to carry out patrol missions, in particular maritime patrol missions, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

In a known manner, the aircraft 10 comprises a fuselage 12 internally delimiting a cockpit 14 and a cabin 16, located at the rear of the cockpit 14.

Cabin 16 is here fitted with portholes 18 on the sides, in particular two side observation portholes 18, intended for visual monitoring of the gun ports.

In the cabin 16, the aircraft 10 comprises a mission system 20 intended to assist the crew of the aircraft 10 in conducting missions.

The missions are, for example, surveillance missions, support for a surface or submarine naval force in support or protection, intelligence missions, in particular listening, search and rescue missions ("Search And Rescue" or "SAR" in English), pollution control missions, or maritime police, in particular in the context of the fight against drug traffickers or piracy and/or training and education missions for crew regeneration.

The missions are intended in particular to be carried out in a mission environment 22 located around the aircraft 10. They generally include determining the positioning of actors 24 present in the mission environment, which are detected in the form of tracks 26.

The tracks 26 are identified and followed by means of sensors 28 on board the aircraft 10 or of non-on board sensors 30, such as sensors dropped from the aircraft 10, or sensors carried by platforms other than the aircraft 10, in particular sensors carried by autonomous aerial, terrestrial, or maritime (surface or submarine) carriers 31.

The on-board sensors 28 comprise, for example, at least one radar sensor, an optronic sensor, an acoustic system, a magnetic anomaly detection sensor, an electronic warfare sensor, a listening sensor, an infrared countermeasure sensor and/or a decoy sensor.

The sensors dropped by the aircraft include, for example, acoustic sensors intended to be dropped into a body of water to perform acoustic detection, and to transmit acoustic detection information to the aircraft 10.

The sensors carried by other platforms are for example of the same type as the on-board sensors 28 described above.

The implementation of the mission requires in certain cases the use and/or dropping of equipment carried by the aircraft 10.

The equipment is, for example, equipment such as buoys carrying acoustic sensors, systems for diffusing colouring markers, for monitoring surface actors and underwater actors.

The loads include, for example, weapons, such as torpedoes, or safety and rescue equipment, such as a SAR chain. The equipment is also loads 32 mounted on the aircraft, for example under its wings such as pods, in particular laser designation pods (“Advanced Targeting Pod” or ATP), or communication pods.

The aircraft missions are intended to be carried out by a crew that includes in this example at least eight crew members. The crew members include technical flight personnel, including at least two pilots, and a crew member responsible for managing the loads, in particular the dropping of equipment intended to be dropped from the aircraft such as buoys and/or SAR chains.

The crew also includes tactical operators, including a tactical coordinator, intended to supervise the mission, an optronic and radar sensor manager (who may be a deputy tactical coordinator), an electromagnetic sensor manager (including for example a magnetic anomaly detection sensor and/or an electronic warfare sensor), and two acoustic sensor managers also having the role of observer.

Each operator among the tactical personnel is capable of monitoring and/or controlling a predefined number of sensors and/or equipment in the aircraft, according to an operator profile chosen from a plurality of predefined distinct operator profiles.

The predefined separate operator profiles are each intended to control and monitor the operation of a set of sensors specific to each operator profile and different from other sets of sensors of other operator profiles, and to access a set of tactical tracking data specific to each operator profile, and different from other sets of tactical tracking data of other operator profiles.

Advantageously, some sensors among the sensors 28, 30 are shared by several distinct operator profiles, or even by all the operator profiles (such as for example the optronic sensor). Several distinct operator profiles therefore make it possible to access the monitoring of the operation and the control of these shared sensors, and/or to receive monitoring data from these shared sensors.

Optionally, at least one sensor among the sensors 28, 30 is specific to a given operator profile. In this case, only the given operator profile allows access to the monitoring of the operation and the control of this specific sensor, and/or to receive monitoring data coming from this specific sensor.

For example, the operator profile of the tactical coordinator allows him to access the control and monitoring of the operation of all the on-board sensors 28 in the aircraft 10 and the non-on-board sensors 30 accessible to the aircraft 10. He can also access all the tactical monitoring data produced by the sensors 28, 30.

The operator profile of the optronic and radar sensor manager allows him to access the control and monitoring of the operation of a first specific set of sensors 28, 30 including the optronic sensor and the radar sensor. It allows him to access a first set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to these sensors.

The operator profile of the electromagnetic sensor manager allows him to access the control and monitoring of the operation of a second set of specific sensors, distinct from the first set of specific sensors, including the electronic warfare sensor and/or the magnetic anomaly detection sensor. It allows him to access a second set of tactical tracking data, distinct from the first set of tactical tracking data, corresponding to these sensors.

The operator profile of the electromagnetic sensor manager does not allow him to access the control and monitoring of the operation of sensors other than those of the second set of sensors, nor to tactical monitoring data from sensors other than those of the second set of tactical data.

The operator profile of each acoustic sensor manager allows him to access the control and monitoring of the operation of a third set of specific sensors comprising the acoustic sensors, distinct from the first and second sets of specific sensors. It allows him to access a third set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to these sensors, distinct from the first and second sets of tactical monitoring data.

The acoustic sensor manager operator profile does not allow access to the control and monitoring of the operation of sensors other than those in the third sensor set, nor to tactical monitoring data from sensors other than those in the third tactical data set.

Advantageously, the aircraft 10 is capable of optionally carrying two additional crew members, for example an expert in electronic warfare, communication, or piloting and sensor control on board a remote carrier 31, and/or an additional acoustic expert and/or capable of operating a sensor or a sensor carried by a remote surface or submarine naval carrier 31.

An operator profile comprising a set of accessible sensors and an accessible tactical tracking data set is then associated with each of these experts. Other operator profiles can be defined by selectively granting access to other specific sensors such as a listening sensor, an infrared countermeasure sensor and/or a decoy sensor.

Optionally, at least one onboard crew member is a trainer, intended for the training and regeneration of the aforementioned tactical operators. The trainer then has an instructor operator profile, which allows the monitoring of commands and tactical monitoring data offered to the operator profile associated with at least one of the tactical operators.

Thus, the crew of aircraft 10 can be reduced to eight people in minimum configuration, and increased by two experts and/or trainers, for an operation with ten crew members.

Each of the operator profiles defined above is also capable of accessing commands and operating monitoring data common to several operator profiles, or even to all operator profiles, and tactical monitoring data accessible to several operator profiles, or even to all operators.

Advantageously, the optronic sensor is accessible to all operator profiles.

Also, each operator profile is, for example, able to access a visualization of the overall status of the mission system operation, including in particular the operating states of the sensors and/or equipment used for the mission.

In addition, each operator profile is advantageously able to consult a mission log listing in particular the list of actions carried out during the mission.

To enable such a mode of operation with a reduced crew, the mission system 20 of the aircraft 10 according to the invention comprises a system 40 for exchanging data with the on-board sensors 28 and the non-on-board sensors 30, and a plurality of standardized consoles 42A to 42G, connected to the data exchange system 40.

The standardized consoles 42A to 42G are intended to be accessible to each operator, to operate the controls and monitor the operation of the sensor and/or equipment corresponding to his operator profile and to access the tactical monitoring data corresponding to his operator profile, from any of the standardized consoles 42A to 42G.

The mission system 20 further comprises a central coordination unit 44 between the standardized consoles 42A to 42G, capable in particular of generating a visualization of the tactical situation, based on the data received from the various sensors 28, 30, and possibly information provided by the operators operating the various standardized consoles 42A to 42G.

The visualization of the tactical situation preferably synthesizes the perceptions/detections of the sensors and with the enrichments provided by the different operators.

The standardized consoles 42A to 42G are distributed in the cabin according to a cabin plan, two examples of which are given in figures 2 and 3.

In the example of the , the mission system 20 comprises two standardized front consoles 42A, 42B, oriented longitudinally, parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A' of the aircraft 10. The standardized front consoles 42A, 42B are each arranged opposite an observation porthole 18. These consoles are preferably intended for acoustic experts, but can be used by other operators, if necessary.

The mission system further comprises at least three additional standardized consoles 42C to 42E, preferably at least five additional standardized consoles 42C to 42G.

In the example of the , the additional standardized consoles 42C to 42G are arranged in two longitudinal rows 50A, 50B extending on either side of a central longitudinal aisle 52.

In the example of the , the additional standardized consoles 42C to 42G are oriented transversely, and are arranged side by side, on one side of a longitudinal aisle 52 for circulation through the aircraft 10.

In both of the above examples, the cabin 16 has a rest space 54 which separates in the example from the standardized consoles before 42A, 42B, additional standardized consoles 42C to 42G.

The data exchange system 40 is capable of collecting status data from the sensors 28, 30, for the purpose of monitoring their operation, and tactical monitoring data measured by the sensors 28, 30 for transmitting them to the standardized consoles 42A to 42G. The data exchange system 40 is further capable of collecting control data from the sensors 28, 30, generated by the consoles 42A to 42G, and of transmitting this control data to the sensors 28, 30.

In the case of the on-board sensors 28, the data is for example transmitted in wired form, via a data transmission network on board the aircraft 10. In the case of the non-on-board sensors 30, the data is transmitted via wireless transmission, for example to transmit a remote control of an acoustic sensor to the water or a flight instruction to a drone.

The standardized consoles 42A to 42G are preferably all identical.

In the example shown in the , each standardized console 42A to 42G comprises a support 60. It comprises on the support 60, a human-machine interface 62 intended for monitoring the operation and control of the sensors 28, 30 and/or the equipment, a tactical monitoring screen 64, intended for displaying a tactical monitoring visualization developed from the tactical monitoring data collected by the sensors 28, 30, and/or at least one or more interaction peripherals 66, in particular for input or pointing, intended for interaction with the interface 62 and/or with the tactical monitoring screen 64.

Each standardized console 42A to 42G further comprises a console management calculator 68, and a display manager 69 on the interface 62 and on the tactical monitoring screen 64, intended respectively to generate and display the display windows presented to the operator of the standardized console 42A to 42G, respectively on the interface 62 and on the tactical monitoring screen 64.

Each standardized console 42A to 42G is provided with a seat 70 intended to be placed opposite the support 60 carrying the interface 62, the tactical monitoring screen 64 and the peripheral 66 to allow an operator to interact with these elements of the standardized console 42A, 42G.

In the case of a longitudinally oriented 42A to 42G console, as seen in the , the seat 70 is also oriented longitudinally in the aircraft 10, whereas in the case of a console 42C to 42G oriented transversely, as visible in the , the seat 70 is, in the working position, outside the take-off and landing phases, oriented transversely in the aircraft 10.

The console management calculator 68 comprises at least one processor 72 and a memory 74 intended to receive software modules capable of being executed by the processor 72. As a variant, the calculator 68 comprises programmable logic components or dedicated integrated circuits, intended to perform the functions of the modules which will be described below.

In this example, the memory 74 contains a database 80 of operator profiles, an operator profile loading module 82 for collecting the operator profile of the operator operating the standardized console 42A to 42G after assigning a standardized console 42A to 42G to an operator.

The memory 74 further contains a module 84 for monitoring the operation and controlling sensors 28, 30, capable of monitoring and controlling all of the sensors 28, 30, and intended to selectively control a given set of sensors corresponding to the operator profile loaded in the profile loading module 84.

The memory 74 further contains a module 86 for retrieving and identifying tactical tracking data, capable of retrieving the data from the tactical tracking data set accessible to the operator profile loaded by the profile loading module 82 and advantageously capable of allowing the operator to enter tactical information associated with this data, in particular track identification information 26.

The memory 74 further contains a module 88 for exchanging data with the central coordination unit 44 for transmitting tactical tracking data and information to the central coordination unit 44, with a view to developing the tactical tracking visualization.

Preferably, in order to ensure the security of the mission system 20, all or part of the aforementioned databases and/or modules are saved in an extractable memory of the mission system 20. This ensures in particular that no configuration element is present in the aircraft 10 when the crew is not present and the memory has been extracted from the mission system 20. This extractable memory is inserted before the initialization of the mission system 20 to allow the activation of the mission system 20.

To enable operation of the standardized console 42A to 42G from each operator profile, the console management computer 68 is configured to collect the operational monitoring data and the tactical monitoring data from each of the sensors 28 to 30 and to send commands to each of the sensors 28, 30, via the data exchange system 40.

However, when a given operator operates the console 42A to 42G according to a given operator profile, the console management computer 68 is configured to make available to the operator only the monitoring and control of sensors 28, 30 of the set of sensors corresponding to the given operator profile, as defined in the operator profile database 80, and to make available only the tactical monitoring data accessible to the given operator profile.

The operator profile database 80 associates with each operator a given operator profile, as defined above, and with each given operator profile a set of sensors that the given operator can track and/or control using the standardized console 42A-42G, as well as a set of tactical tracking data that the operator can access using the standardized console 42A-42G.

The operator profile database 80 is capable of defining a privacy bubble and associated information handling notices, based on the operator profile.

The profile loading module 82 is adapted to collect identification information of the operator placed opposite the console 42A to 42G using the interface 62, and to read the operator profile database 80 to load the given set of sensors to which the operator has access according to his operator profile and also to define the tactical tracking data set to which the operator has access according to his operator profile.

The monitoring and control module 84 is capable of allowing access by the operator to the control and to the operating monitoring data of sensors 28, 30 associated with the operator profile loaded by the profile loading module 82 and is capable of preventing access by the operator to the control and to the operating monitoring data of sensors 28, 30 not associated with the operator profile loaded by the profile loading module 82.

It is capable of generating a window for monitoring the operation and control of sensors 28, 30, displayed on the interface 62 which presents operation monitoring data and control buttons associated only with the sensors 28, 30 to which the operator profile gives access.

The recovery and identification module 86 is capable of collecting from the sensors 28, 30 and from the central coordination unit 44, the tactical tracking data as defined in the tactical tracking data set associated with the operator profile loaded by the profile loading module 82. It is capable of preventing access by the operator to the tactical tracking data not present in the tactical tracking data set corresponding to the operator profile.

The retrieval and identification module 86 is further capable of generating a tactical viewing window on the tactical tracking screen 64 which provides only the tactical tracking data accessible to the operator according to his operator profile, as loaded by the profile loading module 82.

These data include, for example, leads 26 of actors 24 in the mission, these actors 24 being friendly or hostile actors.

The recovery and identification module 86 is further capable of allowing the operator, via the tactical tracking screen 64 and via an interface, in particular via an interaction peripheral 66, to provide identification information linked to the operation of the sensors 28, 30 accessible to the operator profile associated with the operator, in particular identification information of tactical tracks 26 present on the tactical tracking visualization displayed on the tactical tracking screen 64.

The data exchange module 88 is capable of enabling an exchange of data with the central coordination unit 44, to enable the exchange of tactical tracking data and/or identification data generated using a standardized console 42A to 42G with other consoles 42A to 42G.

It is also suitable for enabling management, by an operator present on a standardized 42A to 42G console, of an on-board intercommunication system, common to all operators to enable operators to communicate with each other.

The display manager 69 is capable of recovering the sensor operation and control monitoring window data 28, 30, generated by the monitoring and control module 84 and the tactical display window data generated by the recovery and identification module 86, to respectively display the sensor operation and control monitoring window 28, 30 corresponding to the operator profile on the interface 62 and the tactical display window corresponding to the operator profile on the tactical monitoring screen 64.

In particular, it is suitable for displaying virtual control zones on the interface 62, for example consisting of virtual buttons, and/or control shortcut zones arranged around the tactical monitoring screen 64. It is also suitable for displaying on the tactical monitoring screen 64, the visualization of the tactical situation comprising the tracks 26 in a geographical reference corresponding to the mission environment.

The central coordination unit 44 is connected to all the standardized consoles 42A to 42G to receive the control and operating monitoring data of the sensors 28, 30 coming from each standardized console 42A, to 42G, and the tactical monitoring data and the identification data coming from each standardized console 42A to 42G.

It comprises a processor 100 and a memory 102 containing software modules capable of being executed by the processor 100. The memory 102 advantageously comprises a module 104 for developing tactical visualization, developing a visualization of the tactical situation enriched with all the information coming from all the consoles 40A to 40G.

Advantageously, the memory 102 also contains a module 106 for supervising a combat domain, capable of receiving data from each sensor 28, 30 accessible to the aircraft, for example from each sensor 28, 30 of a combat force, as well as tactical performance data from the sensors 28, 30 (for example geographic range data from the sensors 28, 30) and of processing the data to provide decision-making support data in the use of the sensors 28, 30.

For example, the supervision module 106 is capable of determining, from the tactical performance and the position of each sensor 28, 30, the sensor(s) to be used to follow a track 26 corresponding to a given actor 24 and/or to give instructions for dropping additional sensors 30 from the aircraft 10 or for positioning sensors 30 present on a remote carrier 31 relative to the given actor 24.

The operation of the aircraft 10 and its mission system 20 during a mission of the aircraft 10 will now be described.

Initially, aircraft 10 flies into mission environment 22 carrying the crew members defined above. Each tactical operator then positions himself at a standardized console 42A to 42G.

The profile loading module 82 is activated by each operator to allow the loading of their operator profile.

The profile loading module 82 queries the operator profile database 80 and defines the sensor set and tactical tracking data set that the operator can access using his operator profile.

Then, the monitoring and control module 84 is activated, to make accessible to the operator the sensor operation monitoring data and the sensor commands accessible to the operator according to his operator profile. This is done in particular by displaying on the interface 62 via the display manager 69 an operation control and monitoring window comprising only the operation monitoring data and the commands of the sensors 28, 30 corresponding to the set of sensors accessible in the operator profile, without including the operation monitoring data and the commands of the sensors 28, 30 inaccessible according to the operator profile. This operating data is received in real time via the data exchange system 40.

The operator can thus check operating monitoring data of each sensor 28, 30 accessible to the operator profile, for example its activation status, its performance, as well as its geographic or tactical range (for example its bearing or its detection frequency). He can control each sensor accessible to his operator profile, for example by modifying its geographic or tactical range.

The retrieval and identification module 86 retrieves the tactical tracking data accessible to the operator profile, from the data exchange system 40 and/or from the central coordination unit 44. It generates a visualization of the tactical situation corresponding to the operator profile using only the tactical tracking data accessible to the operator profile, without using or displaying tactical tracking data inaccessible to the operator profile.

In particular, this is done by displaying on the tactical tracking screen 64 via the display manager 69, a tactical viewing window comprising only the tracks 26 accessible to the operator profile, without including the tracks 26 inaccessible to the operator profile.

The operator is therefore able to monitor the state of a sensor 28, 30, by analyzing the operating monitoring data of the sensor 28, 30, to control the sensor 28, 30 using the sensor commands, for example, by changing the orientation of the detection of the sensors, or the detection power.

The operator is also able to view, on the tactical tracking screen 64, the tactical tracking display and the tracks 26 to which he has access. He is able, via the module 86, to provide information related to the operation of the sensors that he manages, in particular by entering identification information for the tracks 26 present on the tactical tracking screen 64. The identification information is transmitted to the central coordination unit 44 via the data exchange module 88.

Thus, each operator is able to operate the functions that he needs from each standardized console 42A to 42G, having access only to the sensor operation monitoring data 28, 30, to the sensor control data 28, 30 and/or to the tactical monitoring data that are specific to his operator profile, without accessing the other data or commands to which the same console 42A to 42G could give access to another operator according to a different operator profile.

This optimizes the space present within the aircraft 10, and reduces the personnel necessary to carry out all of the aforementioned missions of the aircraft 10, since each standardized console 42A to 42G is no longer dedicated to a single sensor 28, 30 or to a single function, but can be operated to carry out different functions on the basis of the mission and the operator profile intended to operate the standardized console 42A to 42G.

In addition, because the 42A to 42G consoles are standardized, it is possible to retrofit them with new sensors that can be tracked, controlled, and can collect tactical tracking data that were not initially present. This change can be accomplished by a simple modification to the operator profile database, without having to change the physical architecture of the 42A to 42G consoles present in the aircraft, nor having to add additional 42A to 42G consoles.

In this case, it is determined beforehand whether the new sensor is shared by several user profiles, or even by all user profiles, or on the contrary whether it is a sensor specific to a particular user profile. The user profile database 80 is then updated accordingly.

The mission system 20 of the aircraft 10 can be operated with five standardized consoles and five people operating these consoles. It can include the addition of two additional operators to carry out, for example, training, or expertise in relation to a given sensor or technology.

The standardized 42A to 42G consoles are also easily usable with contributory systems, including drones, or other aerial, surface or underwater systems.

The standardized consoles 42A to 42G provide access to the central coordination unit 44 to receive, depending on the operator profile, effective operator aids for decision support by processing information from heterogeneous sensors.

The resulting mission system 20 is robust, reconfigurable and has greater flexibility, since new operator profiles can be created and modified depending on the missions, by selecting for each created or modified operator profile, the sensor tracking data and sensor commands as well as the tactical tracking data which are accessible from a created or modified operator profile.

Furthermore, it is possible to place standardized consoles 42A, 42B directly opposite observer windows 18, which limits the personnel present in the aircraft 10, each operator being able to perform several tasks simultaneously or in parallel.

In a variant shown on the , the aircraft 10 is implemented within a mission assembly 120 comprising the aircraft 10 equipped with the mission system 20 described above, a ground segment 122 and a data transmission assembly 124 between the aircraft 10 and the ground segment 122.

The ground segment 122 comprises at least one additional standardized console 42H, 42I identical to an on-board console 42A to 42G. The or each standardized console 42H, 42I is arranged in a ground station which may be fixed, for example in a building, or which may be mobile, for example in a theater of operations.

Advantageously, the ground segment 122 comprises at least two consoles 42H, 42I identical to the on-board consoles 42A to 42G.

The data transmission assembly 124 comprises, for example, a satellite data transmission assembly of the Satcom type, or a high-frequency data transmission assembly. It is connected on the one hand to the central coordination unit 44 on board the aircraft 10 and on the other hand to each of the standardized consoles 42H, 42I present in the ground segment 122.

Each of the standardized consoles 42H, 42I present in the ground segment 122 is thus capable of receiving tactical monitoring data from sensors 28, 30 and also a visualization of the tactical situation.

This data transmission is carried out for example from the aircraft 10 in real time, or by providing extracts of data recorded in the memory 74 of the central coordination unit 44 over a given time interval. These data are for example acoustic interceptions, external radar interceptions, audio data, video data or tactical tracking data.

The operators present on the ground on the standardized consoles 42H, 42I are able, depending on their operator profile, to access the data received and to analyze them to provide identification information which can in turn be retransmitted to the central coordination unit 44, to enrich the tactical visualization generated by the central unit 44.

In operation, the use of a ground segment 122 may be required during the mission, transmitting tactical tracking data generated by various sensors 28, 30 during the mission to provide reinforcement to the on-board operators.

Ground operators can then, by connecting to a standardized 42H, 42I console similar to the standardized 42A to 42G consoles with a given operator profile, access the data received, and carry out more precise or more specialized analyses of this data. This enriches the information provided during the mission, possibly allows the mission to be reoriented and/or contributes to decision-making by the crew of the aircraft 10.

In the case where the ground segment 122 is mobile, it is deployable in theaters of operation, which facilitates the transmission of data to make faster decisions.

Claims (16)

Aircraft (10) intended to carry out a mission, the aircraft (10) comprising a cockpit (14) and a rear cabin (16), the cabin (16) comprising an on-board mission system (20), the on-board mission system comprising:
- a plurality of consoles (42A to 42G) for controlling and monitoring the operation of sensors (28, 30) and tactical monitoring, the consoles (42A to 42G) being capable of being operated by operators each having an operator profile authorizing them to control at least one sensor (28, 30) and to monitor at least one tactical monitoring datum, the operator profiles comprising at least two distinct operator profiles making it possible to control two distinct sets of sensors (28, 30) and/or to monitor two distinct sets of tactical monitoring data.
characterized in that the consoles (42A to 42G) are standardized consoles, each standardized console (42A to 42G) being configured to be operated according to all operator profiles, and, after selection of a given operator profile from among the operator profiles, to make accessible from the standardized console (42A to 42G), the control and monitoring of operation of the or each sensor (28, 30) associated with the given operator profile and the tactical monitoring data associated with the given operator profile. The aircraft (10) of claim 1, wherein all standardized consoles (42A-42G) are identical. Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each standardized console (42A to 42G) comprises a human-machine interface (62) for controlling the or each sensor (28, 30) corresponding to the given operator profile, a tactical monitoring screen (64) intended for viewing tactical monitoring data corresponding to the given operator profile and advantageously, an input and pointing peripheral (66). Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mission system (20) comprises a database (80) of operator profiles, each operator profile being associated in the database (80) with at least one sensor (28, 30) and with at least one tactical tracking data item accessible to an operator having the operator profile, each standardized console (42A to 42G) comprising a profile loading module (82), capable of identifying the operator profile corresponding to the operator wishing to use the console, and of activating the control and monitoring of operation of the or each sensor (28, 30) corresponding to the operator profile, and access to the or each tactical tracking data item corresponding to the operator profile, using the database (80) of operator profiles. Aircraft (10) according to claim 4, in which the database (80) of operator profiles associates with at least one operator profile, at least one sensor shared by a plurality of operator profiles, advantageously shared by all the operator profiles, the control and monitoring of operation of the shared sensor and/or access to the or each tactical monitoring data produced by the shared sensor being accessible to the plurality of operator profiles, advantageously to all the operator profiles, and/or
wherein the operator profile database (80) associates with at least one given operator profile, at least one sensor specific to this given operator profile, the control and monitoring of operation of the specific sensor and/or access to the or each tactical monitoring data produced by the specific sensor being accessible only to this given operator profile. Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each standardized console (42A to 42G) comprises a module for retrieving and identifying tactical tracking data, capable of allowing an operator to provide identification information relating to at least one track (26) of an actor (24) evolving around the aircraft (10), the mission system (20) comprising a central coordination unit (44), capable of being connected to each standardized console (42A to 42G), the central coordination unit (44) being capable of receiving the tactical tracking data and the identification information coming from all the standardized consoles (42A to 42G) to develop a tactical tracking visualization. Aircraft (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensors (28, 30) comprise sensors on board the aircraft (10), such as a radar sensor, an electronic warfare sensor, an optronic sensor, a magnetic anomaly detection sensor and/or wherein the sensors (28, 30) comprise sensors not on board the aircraft (10), in particular a sensor on board another platform, or a sensor dropped from the aircraft (10), in particular an acoustic sensor. Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two standardized observation consoles (42A, 42B) located longitudinally in the cabin (16) opposite observation windows (18), the mission system (20) comprising at least three additional standardized consoles (42C to 42E) located in the cabin (16). Aircraft (10) according to claim 8, in which the mission system (20) comprises at least two additional standardized consoles (42F, 42G) in addition to the three additional standardized consoles (42C to 42E) and to the two standardized observation consoles (42A, 42B). Aircraft (10) according to claim 8 or 9, in which the additional standardized consoles (42A to 42G) are arranged longitudinally on either side of a longitudinal aisle (52) of the cabin (16), or are all located transversely on one side of a longitudinal aisle (52) of the cabin (16). Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mission system (20) comprises a data transmission assembly (124) with a ground segment (122), capable of transmitting to the ground segment (122) data produced by each standardized console (42A to 42G), in particular sensor operating data and/or tactical tracking data. Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one operator profile is a tactical coordinator profile, each standardized console (42A to 42G) being capable, upon selection of the tactical coordinator profile, of accessing the commands and operational monitoring of all the sensors (28, 30) and the tactical monitoring data produced by all the sensors (28, 30). Aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operator profile is chosen from:
- an acoustic sensor manager profile, each standardized console (42A to 42G) being capable, upon selection of the acoustic sensor manager profile, of accessing the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one acoustic detection sensor and of monitoring acoustic data produced by the acoustic detection sensor;
- an optronic and radar sensor manager profile, each standardized console (42A to 42G) being capable, upon selection of the optronic and radar sensor manager profile, of accessing the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one radar and/or optronic sensor and of monitoring optronic and/or radar data produced by the radar and/or optronic sensor;
- an electromagnetic sensor manager profile, each standardized console (42A to 42G) being capable, upon selection of the electromagnetic sensor manager profile, of accessing the control and monitoring of the operation of at least one electronic warfare sensor and/or at least one magnetic anomaly detection sensor and of electronic warfare and/or magnetic anomaly detection data produced by the electronic warfare sensor and/or by the magnetic anomaly detection sensor. Mission set (120), including:
- an aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims;
- a ground segment (122) comprising at least one standardized ground console (42H, 42I), advantageously identical to at least one of the standardized consoles (42A to 42G) of the plurality of standardized consoles (42A to 42G), the standardized ground console (42H, 42I) being capable of receiving sensor data (28, 30) and/or tactical tracking data from at least one standardized console (42A to 42G) of the plurality of consoles (42A to 42G) of the mission system (20) on board the aircraft (10). Method for implementing at least one mission, comprising the following steps:
- flight of an aircraft (10) according to any one of the preceding claims in a mission environment (22);
- activation, during the flight of the aircraft (10), of a first standardized console (42A to 42G) by a first mission operator having a first operator profile, the first operator accessing, on the first standardized console (42A to 42G), the commands and the operating monitoring data of a first set of sensors (28, 30) corresponding to the first operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of a first set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to the first operator profile;
- activation, during the flight of the aircraft (10), of a second standardized console (42A to 42G) distinct from the first standardized console (42A to 42G) by a second mission operator having a second operator profile distinct from the first operator profile, the second operator accessing, on the second standardized console (42A to 42G), the controls and the operating monitoring data of a second set of sensors (28, 30) corresponding to the second operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of a second set of tactical monitoring data corresponding to the second operator profile. The method of claim 15, wherein, during the flight of the aircraft (10), or during a subsequent flight of the aircraft (10), the second mission operator having a second operator profile activates the first standardized console (42A to 42G), the second operator accessing, on the first standardized console (42A to 42G), the commands and the operational monitoring data of the second set of sensors (28, 30) corresponding to the second operator profile and the tactical monitoring data of the second tactical monitoring data set corresponding to the second operator profile.