Facilities

Engineering Flight Simulator

High-fidelity, real-time simulation and control is enabled by a dedicated cluster of nine quad-core multi-processor computers. This cluster has been used extensively to develop and evaluate cognitive learning and approximate dynamic programming algorithms for high dimensional, complex nonlinear systems. The cluster also supports the Engineering Flight Simulator (EFS), a real-time, nonlinear, six degree-of-freedom, pilot-in-the-loop fixed base simulator.  Three-dimensional terrain is projected onto a 150 degree field of view screen at 30Hz.  For piloted simulation, the physical equipment of the EFS consists of the actual side-by-side cockpit and fuselage of a surplused USAF Cessna T-37 with a traditional center stick and an actual YF-16 sidestick.  For display research purposes, a glass cockpit consisting of both left and right touchscreen LCD flat panel displays with tactile feel are installed as head down displays. This arrangement permits researchers to emulate the instrument display cluster of most any type of aircraft (FAR 21, FAR 23, FAR 25, military).  The cluster also controls three Unmanned Air System (UAS)  user interface stations which are used to conduct real-time simulation of UAS operations in complex, unstructured terrain environments.  All three UAS operator stations interface directly with the EFS, allowing four human operators or pilots to simultaneously and interactively fly in the same simulation environment.  All of the equipment and software is located in a spacious, dedicated laboratory in the basement of the Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science Building at Texas A&M University.

Rack Mounted Computer Cluster

  • Nine Quad-Core custom PCs
  • 36 total processors

Simulation Engine PC Characteristics

  • Linux OS
  • Processor: Intel Core2/quad 2.66 GHz
  • RAM: 8 GB DDR3 1333MHz
  • Hard Drive: 1280 GB, SATA 7200 RPM
  • Video: GeForce 9600GT 512MB

Cockpit/Pilot Station PC Characteristics

  • Windows OS
  • Processor: Intel Core2Duo 3.16 GHz
  • RAM: 4 GB DDR3 133MHz
  • Hard Drive: 1280 GB, SATA 7200 RPM
  • Video: GeForce GTX 280 1 GB

Primary Flight Display

In addition to the above photos, the EFS is also highlighted several times in the following Aerospace Engineering Department video:

 

 

UAS Flight Testing Facility

The Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory has an offsite UAS flight test facility at the TAMUS RELLIS Campus (former Bryan Air Force Base, 83TX) located seven miles NW of the main TAMU campus. RELLIS Campus includes a 12,000 ft2 hanger preflight briefing room equipped with projection system and real-time weather displays; metal, wood, and composite fabrication shops; ,and access to a 7,000 ft runway. For UAS flight testing ac Over the past 15 years the laboratory has continuously conducted UAS flight testing for federal and industrial customers.

Lonestar UAS Test Center Sites

Lonestar UAS Test Center Sites

This facility also hosts the UAS Test Flight and “Hug a UAS Day” for students registered for AERO 321.

DIRECTIONS NOTE: If you find yourself on Avenue A out at Riverside Campus, you will be facing the rear of the building, please continue down and turn on either 6th or 7th street and head towards the runway. Our facility is next to a large observation tower, and immediately adjacent to a selection of aircraft turbines.  Please park in front of the Hangar, which is show in the photo directly below.