Developing Dynamic Function Allocation for Future Naval Systems

Abstract

The DERA Centre for Human Sciences is investigating function allocation for future Naval systems with the aim of providing optimal allocation of functions within “lean” manned ships. Existing methods of allocating functions between human and machine were developed around old, “dumb” technology, the inherent assumption being that once this process had been undertaken, the outcome remained fixed. However, for future systems, knowledge-based technology provides the potential for functions to be allocated dynamically, according lo the operational context. As part of a programme to examine the potential of dynamic function allocation, a series of six experiments utilising the Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB) were conducted, and a brief overview of the experimental findings is reported. The main focus of this paper is to describe a new experimental environment which has been developed to address the limitations in the MATB, particularly the relevance of these tasks to Naval systems. This is an abstraction of a Naval Anti-Air Warfare Controller's task, incorporating dynamic function allocation. It will facilitate an in-depth investigation of the potential benefits of this technology for the Naval Command and Control domain.