Model-Driven Payload Sensor Operation Assistance for a Transport Helicopter Crew in Manned–Unmanned Teaming Missions: Assistance Realization, Modelling Experimental Evaluation of Mental Workload

Abstract

One of the research fields at the Institute of Flight Systems (IFS) of the University of the Armed Forces (UniBwM) concerns the integration of reconnaissance sensor operator support in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM–T) transport helicopter (HC) missions. The purposive deployment of mission sensors carried by several unmanned aerial vehicles (multi–UAV) in such missions brings in new and impactful aspects, specifically in workload-intensive situations. An associate system offering variable automation levels supports the HC’s crew by deploying machine-executable functionalities and high-level capabilities. The crews’ work-processes to handle the reconnaissance payload as well as to derive and include relevant information in the mission progress are expected to induce additional mental workload (MWL) during operation. First, this paper gives an overview of the assistance concept for sensor operation to minimize the crews’ MWL. Furthermore, an instance of a combined task- and resource model that describes MWL for several levels of automation in sensor guidance and payload sensor data evaluation is presented. Model parameters of human interaction for a holistic task- and activity set will be described. Finally, a method for demand parameter value determination from a dataset gained by an experimental campaign and results are presented.