Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine June 2021

12 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
JUNE 2021 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
UNIQUE EYE TRACKING SYSTEM INSTALLED ON HAWK SIMULATORS
EWEN LEVICK | MELBOURNE
A SYSTEM that tracks eye movements and gaze patterns of pilots-in-training has been installed in No. 79 Squadron’s Hawk 127 Lead-In-Fighter simulator at RAAF Base Pearce, courtesy of Canber- ra-based company Seeing Machines.
The technology uses IR lights and a camera to track where trainees are look- ing and for how long, allowing instruc- tors to gain an insight into how trainees are thinking. It emerged through a com- mercial investment from Plan Jericho and Defence reportedly wants the tech- nology implemented across all Hawk simulators and ‘the rest of the flying training system.’
“Our engagement with RAAF was extended to a two-year contract and enabled full visibility of the capability of the technology and the utility of the output data and visualisations to all or most of the flying training units across the ADF,” Patrick Nolan, General Man- ager of Aviation at Seeing Machines, said to ADM.
One of the challenges of installing the system was ensuring that the addition of new equipment did not disturb the mature training system or distract new pilots.
“This involved some creative 3D print- ing, and efficient collaboration outside of simulator sessions,” Nolan said.
Seeing Machines worked closely with 78 Wing, 76 and 79 Squadrons, TFSPO,
the Air Warfare Centre and the Institute of Aviation Medicine, as well as the simu- lator OEM, CAE. When travel to WA was restricted by Covid-19, Seeing Machines quickly adapted to video conferencing and secure data transfers to upgrade the system.
“We were fortunate to have strong part- ners in CAE to enable us to achieve this in line with Defence requirements,” Nolan said.
LEFT: Simulator Pilot Instructor Ben Scorey of CAE monitors and instructs Pilot Officer Alec Taylor in the Hawk 127 Simulator during a trial of eye tracking technology.
For Seeing Machines, the main take- away from their success has been under- standing the importance of integrating new technology into the military training environment.
“The overarching lessons are not purely about the tech or the signals, but rather more about ensuring that the capability integrates into the training environment and can be seamlessly incorporated into the Instructor workflow,” Nolan said.
Seeing Machines is also looking to build on this success to grow their foot- print in aviation and look to possible in- ternational opportunities.
“The technology is the same but the use case is slightly different as we change the focus from precise gaze tracking in the training environment to fatigue and attention in the cockpit,” Nolan said.
SAAB TO MAKE BARRACUDA MOBILE CAMO SYSTEMS IN AUS
SAAB has selected NSW-based SME Global Defence Solutions (GDS) as its Australian industry partner to locally manufacture its Mobile Camouflage Systems (MCS) and multispectral camouflage screens.
“Saab’s partnership with GDS will bring world-class capability into Aus- tralian industry with the transfer of our global camouflage technical knowledge and expertise,” Andy Keough, Managing Director of Saab Australia, said.
Saab selected the SME as the pre- ferred soft-shelter supplier for the JP2060 program in December 2020.
“We are delighted that Saab has chosen GDS to produce its signature management solutions for Australia. The opportunity to work with a proven
RIGHT: Mobile Camoufl ge Systems and multispectral camouflage screens will be made in Australia.
and globally recognised signature manage- ment product is an exciting step forward for our regionally based NSW company,” Laurie Koster, Managing Director at GDS, said. “Our partnership will provide Austra- lia with a true sovereign capability, to pro- duce, integrate and install signature reduc- tion systems onto combat vehicles.”
Saab’s MCS has been in operation and continual development for over 25 years and has deployed to Afghanistan and Mali.
SAAB
DEFENCE/CORPORAL BRETT SHERRIFF