Software prevents fatal crashes, scientists say

[unhappycamper]

Software prevents fatal crashes, scientists say
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 9, 2009 6:26:34 EST

An F-16 pilot takes aim at a ground target, losing track of just how steep and low his jet is. Too confused to eject, he crashes.

Every year, one or two pilots die because they couldn’t get their bearings in time. Now, scientists for the Air Force and Lockheed Martin Corp. think they can virtually eliminate those fatal accidents with onboard computer software that takes control of the Fighting Falcon when it goes into a deadly dive.

“We looked at past accidents and this would have prevented 98 percent of them,” said Don Swihart, program manager of the Fighter Risk Reduction Program at the Air Force Research Lab.

The F-16’s flight control system activates the software when it determines — by comparing altitude, speed and direction with a virtual map of the terrain below — that the plane is within 1.5 seconds of crashing.

The software pulls the fighter into a 5-G climb until it reaches a safe altitude and is flying level. Only then does the computer return control to the pilot.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/11/airforce_crash_prevention_110809W/

[ixion]

1. "Every year, one or two pilots die because..."

so because one or two people die, our government spends hundreds of millions of dollars to fix that.

Isn't it funny how, when it comes to all-things-military, our government can't produce the checkbook fast enough.

But when it comes to the people to which that money belongs, well, then there is no money available.

:argh: :banghead:

[HereSince1628]

2. It's a marketing meme.

people are cheap to come by, planes are more expensive but we've got hundreds of them sitting in shrink wrap in the desert.

"Protecting the troops" is just a marketing meme in a nation based on war.

It's akin to "New" or "Improved" or "Whiter" or "Brighter" or "Healthy"