Developing a Simulated Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Task Based on Cognitive Task Analysis: Task Analysis Results and Preliminary Simulator Performance Data

Abstract

Uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being used for both military and civilian applications (Gawron, 1998). We conducted a cognitive task analysis of US Air Force UAV operators and used this task analysis to develop a synthetic task (simulator) that represents the key cognitive demands of the UAV task. In this paper, we describe the cognitive task analysis procedure and results, the synthetic UAV task, and preliminary human performance data using the synthetic task. The main function of current Air Force UAVs is reconnaissance. These UAVs are flown by a team of operators who perform piloting, mission planning and reconnaissance functions. The task analysis highlighted the ways that operators must balance sometimes conflicting goals, such as achieving reconnaissance objectives and safeguarding the aircraft. These conflicting goals were implemented in the synthetic task.