Using best practices as a way forward for remotely piloted aircraft operators: Integrated combat operations training-research testbed

Abstract

The growth of medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) combat air patrols increased 660 % between 2004 and 2009 (Gertler 2012). With this massive increase in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) operational requirements, the need to train RPA operators quickly and effectively is in the spotlight. This paradigm change presents an array of warfighter training and readiness issues that require solutions sooner than later. Fortunately, there are USAF research programs that comprehensively address these types of issues. The work highlighted in this Chapter is undertaken at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in the Integrated Combat Operations Training-Research Testbed (ICOTT). In the ICOTT among many platforms, the training gaps in the RPA community are researched. Using a competency-based approach, researchers, engineers, subject matter experts, and warfighters are developing a training research testbed to evaluate curriculum, training methodologies, and best practices in training simulation. This chapter addresses the evolution of training requirements for the RPA community as well as addresses targeted solutions to support RPA training, operational readiness needs, and an exploration into the existing methods and common tools used to understand and evaluate the relative trade-off in training utility associated with alternative training systems. The overarching discussion focuses on methods for providing more rapid and efficient knowledge and skill development for RPA operators. The lessons learned from this research represent a first step to ensuring maximum RPA training effectiveness.