Publication Date
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Herbert Colle (Advisor)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
The present study investigated performance and mental workload when an operator supervises multiple UCAVs. This study focused on the parameters that affect the operator's performance during a simulated UCAV suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) mission, which is expected to be the primary function of the UCAV. All three manipulated factors, including the number of vehicles to be supervised, vehicle airspeed, and difficulty level of attacks (targets engaged by either a single vehicle or multiple vehicles), affected both performance and subjective mental workload measures. A performance mental workload redline was defined as the point at which accomplishment scores no longer increased. Performance redlines were estimated using piecewise linear functions of accomplishment scores. Redlines indicated that for simple scenarios operators could effectively control about 12 UCAVs flying at 900 knots or 8 UCAVs flying at 1500 knots. For complex scenarios, operators could effectively control 8 UCAVs flying at 900 knots.
Page Count
114
Department or Program
Department of Psychology
Year Degree Awarded
2007
Copyright
Copyright 2007, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
