Human Factors Issues in Night Airborne Mine Countermeasures Operations

Abstract

The U. S. Navy's Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) mission, performed by the MH-53E helicopter, is characterized by long duration flight at low altitudes and low airspeeds over the water while towing a variety of devices. This mission imposes substantial demands on the pilots and mission crew. Because of its complexity and potential hazards, the AMCM mission is currently performed only during the daytime. The Navy identified a requirement to perform AMCM operations at night and sponsored research to investigate the system and procedural modifications required to accomplish night AMCM operations safely and effectively. This paper discusses the human factors issues identified as part of this research effort and provides specific examples from the AMCM mission environment. A thorough understanding of these issues and how they will impact night AMCM operations is essential for a successful transition from day to night operations.