Tactical Debriefing Systems - Tactical Debrief Station

Introduction

Air Force and Navy fighter aircraft as well as certain Army helicopters carry video tape recorders to record video feeds from radar and other information. Generally, these are special Teac 8mm video tape recorders (VTR) that record the video in a unique way to capture the format, data and aspect ratio of the radar information.

Up until now the only way for pilots to review this information was to either ignore much of the data as they played these tapes back on the ground into standard video monitors or to utilize "production" video monitors that offer underscan capability. Even with underscan, the information is often still cut off due to the "negative scan" area actually used by the cockpit recorders.

Even at its best, a production monitor cannot show all of the information recorded. At the least this can cause confusion as the data is analyzed.

Further, these after-action events often need to include comparison of the tapes from more than one aircraft. Again, the only apparent solution has been the use of consumer-grade CCTV video quad boxes. These boxes place 4 videos in the corners of a standard video monitor. Needless to say, this reduces the overall resolution and quality of EACH image by 75%. Analyzing data that cannot be fully seen on a monitor producing one quarter of the beginning resolution simply isn't acceptable to most commands.

Design

General Projection is pleased to announce that working hand-in-hand with the Air National Guard, we have developed a suitable solution for these debrief/debriefing issues.

We first attacked the issue of "negative scan" needs but simultaneously solved the low-resolution quad video issue as well by utilizing the RGB Spectrum 4View along with proprietary software to make the 4View open up to the negative scan lines as well as present 100% full resolution whether showing a single VTR output or up to 4 in quadrants.

Next General Projection developed a package to go with these electronics. The package consists of eight (8) Sony hi8mm VTR's, the processing and routing technology required to provide the debriefer with the flexibility to present any one or any combination of any four (4) of the VTR's. We package this together with a combination DVD/VHS player, computer presentation capability and a plasma display or projection system to create a complete debriefing/briefing system. Finally, all of these items are housed in a "smart lectern" or shock-mounted racks and ATA-rated cases are provided to allow for forward deployment of the entire system in minutes.

The package can also be obtained with just four (4) Sony VTR's or Teac 8mm VTR's can be provided in place of the Sony's.

Success

The first tactical debriefing systems have been deployed by the Air National Guard with great success.

One of the quad video images from the processor showing 100% of the information recorded in the cockpit during a mission.

The debrief or debriefing stations can be obtained in several configurations. One uses a "smart lectern" with built in speaker and custom-configured to match the decor of the command. A built in LCD monitor shows the presenter what is being displayed on the large screen display system.

A slide out keyboard tray provides for interaction with a local PC and a notebook computer connection allows for impromptu briefings from portable computers.

A complete, rugged, ATA-rated shipping case system is included.

Another format includes shock-mounted rack cases which are ready-to-ship but do not provide a lectern from which to brief.

Control
The entire system is automated via an AMX control system with special programming to provide for the synchronization of the VTR's during mission debriefs. From this same touch panel the entire presentation can be controlled including the selection of DVD or VHS tape playback, computer display, volume control, etc.

One, wireless color touch panel runs the entire debriefing system as well as automatically synchronizing the VTR's for mission playback and comparison.

Now after-mission debriefings can be performed with much greater accuracy and by anyone from anywhere in the briefing area using the simple-to-use touch panel system.

The resolution and quality of the negative scan solution provides ability to analyze missions to a much greater degree than was previously available. Whether debriefing U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilots, Air Force F-15/F-16 or Navy Tomcat pilots, the systems provide the accuracy, ease-of-use and rugged transportability/deployability needed today.

NEW: Tactical Debriefing systems "play well" with PCDS (Personal Computer Debriefing System) being deployed by many wings. Click here for more.

Click here to download a Word format application note (right click to save on your system).

For more information on debrief stations, debriefing systems and deployable briefing systems and other Air Force or military projects, please fill out our Information Request form or email Solutions@genproj.com