Army Aviation has a problem with spatial disorientation while operating in degraded visual environments.
DVE is defined as "an environment of reduced visibility of potentially varying degree, wherein situational awareness and aircraft control cannot be maintained as comprehensively as they are in normal visual meteorological conditions, and can potentially be lost"; "normal" referring to clear or undiminished visibility.
Historically, approximately 20 percent of all Class A and B mishaps have been attributed directly to spatial disorientation or loss of situational awareness in degraded visual environments, but the issue remains far from resolution.
To address this issue, PEO Aviation has established a product office dedicated to finding solutions that will provide pilots the capability to fly and maneuver in degraded visual environments.
The Degraded Visual Environment Product Office was officially established during a ceremony 14 July at the Bob Jones Auditorium when the Aviation Systems Project, Col Matt Hannah, presented the office charter to Shawn Gresham, designating him the first product manager.
The product office is focused on minimizing the DVE threat while maximizing capability for combatant commanders. Working in concert with the Special Operations Command, the TRADOC Capability Manager for Aviation Brigades, and key stakeholders across the Department of Defense, the DVE Product Office is postured to provide Army Aviation with solutions to enhance operational overmatch in DVE through the following two lines of effort.
The Program Executive Office for Aviation is the Army manager for eight project offices including: Apache Helicopters, Aviation Systems, Cargo Helicopters, Utility Helicopters, Improved Turbine Engine/Future Vertical Lift, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Fixed Wing Aircraft and Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft. The organization's primary responsibility is to efficiently and effectively manage cost, schedule and performance of the Army's aviation assets.
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