Ergonomics of UAV/UCAV Mission Success: Considerations for Data Link, Control, and Display Issues

Abstract

The United States Armed Forces are turning to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and their combat-modified counterparts (UCAVs), to support human pilots and improve electronic surveillance and weapons deployment capabilities, particularly for risky suppression of enemy air-defense (SEAD) operations. Successful implementation and integration of UAVs/UCAVs into today's military requires focused attention toward human factors issues to ensure mission success and efficiency. In addition to considerations for satellite links, positive target verification, and assurance of collateral safety prior to weapon(s) launch, a primary concern is how operators interact with the UAV/UCAV system. This paper describes a portion of these concerns by presenting human factors considerations for UAV/UCAV-operator data links, vehicle control, and operator display issues. Relevant empirical findings are reviewed and implications for training and systems design are outlined.