Mission capabilities—based testing for maintenance trainers: Ensuring trainers support human performance

Abstract

Historically, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Training Device (TD) testing emphasized meeting performance specification with an insignificant level of attention paid towards mission capabilities-based requirements. Recent research focusing on effectiveness and efficiency of UAS TDs in supporting earning of critical skills has brought mission capabilities-based requirements testing to the forefront. This paper provides a review of the process and results of the MQ-8B Fire Scout Avionics Maintenance Trainer (AMT) MCT event. The Fire Scout AMT MCT event produced qualitative and quantitative data associated with the AMT’s ability to support teaching of tasks/Learning Objectives (LOs) specific to maintenance. The multi-competency test team collected two types of data; one type measuring the capability of TD to provide critical attributes to support each task/LO and the other measuring the capability of TD to facilitate task/LO completion.