Developing Cargo Loading Software for Navy and Marine Aircraft

Managing cargo loading for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft is a challenging task, requiring an understanding of elements such as aircraft limitations, aircraft center of gravity, cargo space dimensions, and tie-down procedures to name a few. These loading requirements are specified in each aircraft's lengthy Cargo Loading Guide (CLG). To address the problem of efficiently and effectively stowing cargo, the U.S. Navy has proposed the development of an Android app that assists aircrew in completing their loadmaster duties. This paper describes the Aircraft Cargo Evaluator app, which uses three specific capabilities to perform calculations and provide feedback to help achieve efficient and effective cargo loading. The first creates 3D models for novel cargo using Augmented Reality. The second allows the user to develop scenarios that include 3D models of aircraft, cargo, and tie-down patterns, and then analyzes the tie-downs according to CLG-defined rules. The third uses genetic algorithms to automatically search for and efficient and effective tie-down patterns for a scenario. The primary contribution of this work is summarizing how existing tools from augmented reality, computer games, and artificial intelligence were brought together to rapidly prototype an end-to-end solution in this challenging domain - and then following what happens as this research prototype takes the first steps towards the reality of operational use.