The leading cause of aviation mishaps in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and the third leading cause of aviation mishaps in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are directly attributable to Spatial Disorientation (SD). Through-out aviation history, SD and the subsequent loss of Situational Awareness (SA) accounts for a significant percentage of all fatal mishaps in aviation. Across all services and in most VTOL/helicopter programs, the specific SD problem of Degraded Visual Environments (DVE) has been identified as an urgent problem.

The Tactile Situational Awareness System (TSAS) is an advanced SA tool that uses the sensory channel of touch to provide situational awareness information to pilots. The TSAS system accepts data from various aircraft sensors and presents this information via tactile cueing through an array of vibrotactile stimulators or “tactors” worn by the pilot or aircrew. By arranging the tactors in an intuitive nature around the body (“body referenced”), flight parameters such as attitude, altitude and velocity, as well as navigational and threat warnings can be provided via the sense of feel to the pilot.

Engineering Acoustics, Inc. has developed the Active Tactile Array Cueing System, or A-TAC™ that allows for the practical implementation of tactile systems and display symbology for TSAS in fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and other military platforms. Specifically, A-TAC™ addresses size, weight and integration issues important for implementation of TSAS in platforms such as the AH-1W/Z Cobra, UH-1N/Y Huey, and the MV-22 Osprey; and future programs such as the Presidential Helicopter, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, and CH-53K.