The proposed effort is dedicated to the development of an adaptive training system to accelerate the development of strategic attention control skills in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators. UAS operations are uniquely characterized by intense performance demands, continuous operational and combat stressors, and catastrophic consequences of performance failures. A critical risk factor challenging operator attention skills is vigilance-related fatigue. Adaptive Immersion Technologies will develop a simulation-based training system that delivers adaptive, customized scenario content to trainees on portable computing devices, computer workstations, and virtual reality. Incorporating three levels of adaptation Aptitude-Treatment Interactions, adaptive task priorities, and adaptive cue fading, the system will function to isolate vigilance related attentional challenges and provide an iterative skill assessment and scenario adaptation cycle to foster the development of strategic attention allocation skills. The foundation for this cycle is a psychometric framework for accurate cognitive skill assessment and diagnosis. Working with our transition and commercialization partners, the product will be optimized for transition into UAS training systems as well as emerging personnel selection and assessment programs.
Benefit: UAS training, selection, and assessment acquisition programs, enhanced mission outcomes for UAS operators across platforms and positions operating SAR and ISR missions.
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems, search-and-rescue, psychometric theory, vigilance, attention control, Adaptive Training
