Integrated flight/fire control for attack helicopters

It is shown that integrated flight and fire control modes, analogous to those used in fixed-wing applications, can be implemented to enhance an attack helicopter's air-to-air and air-to-ground combat effectiveness. With fly-by-wire active flight controls and state-of-the-art technology in target acquisition and tracking, integrated flight/fire control can increase firing opportunities, improve weapon accuracy and enhance survivability. Two typical applications are illustrated, using detailed simulations of the fly-by-wire controlled helicopter and associated weapons systems. The avionics architecture needed to implement an integrated system is described, and it is shown that it is achievable with straightforward extensions of designs already in place for advanced versions of the AH-64 aircraft