Methodology for Evaluation of Automation Impacts on Tactical Command and Control (C2) Systems: Implementation

Abstract : This project is developing a methodology for evaluating the impact of automation on tactical command and control (C2) operators. The focus is on prototypic man/machine systems and their automation alternatives in a simulated system context. Although the methodology has initially been developed to simulate operators using a soon-to-be-fielded tactical ground control radar system, the methods, models, and software tools are generally applicable for use in other cases. A modular architecture promotes this feature, as well as experimentation with different modeling approaches. The methodology, hosted on a mini-computer workstation, is composed of three major components; human performance models, which consist of cognitive, visual, auditory, and psychomotor components; rapid prototyping tools for prototyping of man/machine systems and interfaces; and utilities for specifying a scenario with which to exercise the system and human models. The designer/analyst can modify the configuration an function of the system or the assumptions underlying human performance through screen-based utilities. A simulation of a scenario produces human performance data as if the scenario were executed by real operators. The workstation provides a timeline of events, activity profiles, and subjective workload estimates. Keywords: Automation, C2 systems, Human performance, Object- oriented programming, Computer programming, Simulation, Work-load evaluation.