Test-bed for integrated ground control station experimentation and rehearsal: Crew performance and authority pathway concept development

Abstract

Canada’s Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Target Acquisition System program for acquiring an uninhabited aircraft system requires an interim ground control station for developing operator interface technologies and investigate training needs for the future aircraft. Defence Research and Development Canada is developing the Test-bed for Integrated Ground Control Station Experimentation and Rehearsal for this purpose. The test-bed consists of six workstations for the uninhabited aircraft system crew and five researcher and trainer workstations. A human factors engineering trial was performed on the test-bed with two crews performing a simulated mission scenario. The operator performance results from the trial indicated that both crews performed reasonably well at the individual level, with one crew exhibiting poor teamwork behaviors. Specifically, one crew did not follow rules of engagement and standard operating procedures when engaging a target. Subject matter expert observations determined that the crews had insufficient doctrinal knowledge, crew coordination, and situational awareness. Participant feedback indicated that the simulated scenario could be made more detailed, and they made suggestions to improve the test-bed interface. To support following rules of engagement and standard operating procedures and participant recommendations, this paper presents the development of the Authority Pathway Concept, an intelligent human-machine interface for a ground control station that presents the status of each of the steps required for engaging an enemy target.