Crew systems analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) future job and tasking environments

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of the research project was to understand the future crew environments for developing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. A variety of human engineering tools job assessment software system JASS, enhanced computer-aided testing ECAT, and MicroSaint(Trademark)) were used to address crew issues related to the utility of having rated aviators as crew members, supplementing current crews with imagery and intelligence specialists, and the use of automation to improve systems efficiency. Data from 70 soldiers and experts from Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Fort Hood, Texas, and Hondo, Texas, were collected as part of this effort. The general finding was that the use of cognitive methods and computerized tool sets to understand future crew environments proved to be cost effective and useful. Specifically, no evidence was found to support a requirement for rated aviators in future Army missions, but the use of cognitively oriented embedded training simulators was suggested to aid novices in developing the cognitive skills evinced by experts. The efficacy of adding imagery specialists to 96U crews was discussed, and specific recommendations related to automation were derived from the workload modeling.