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Portable, Reconfigurable Intelligent Symbology Simulator (PRISMS). PRISMS was originally developed as a helicopter flight simulator with capabilities to demonstrate helmet-mounted display (HMD) symbology. Subsequently, it has been used with other systems for other purposes. The Army uses PRISMS with a special motion model for RAH-66 Comanche helicopter familiarization. NASA uses PRISMS for Mars Lander and Rover simulations. Features include a gaming area of realistic terrain, multiple moving targets, photo-textured objects, 3D sound, voice synthesis and recognition, and full flight controls.
Scenario Design and Assessment Tool for Training (ScenDATT).
ScenDATT is a computer-based system developed to support the design
of training scenarios in accordance with principles of Instructional
System Design (ISD). Operating in either design or education mode,
the system supports both experienced and novice analysts and course
developers. The system was developed under a Phase I Small Business
Innovative Research (SBIR) in coordination with training personnel
at the Naval Air Station, North Island, California. It was developed
within the context of training scenarios for S-3B aircraft mission
simulator sessions (Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division).
Autorotation trainer. Autorotation is a maneuver that
permits a safe helicopter landing when the engine loses power. A catastrophe
may occur if the pilot's control inputs are incorrect, or poorly timed.
Due to the danger involved, full-touchdown autorotations are very
rarely practiced. Because in-flight autorotation training is
risky, time-consuming, and expensive, the PRISMS simulator was used
to develop the first autorotation trainer. A task analysis was performed
to identify the procedural steps in the autorotation, to inventory
the information needed to support student task performance, to identify
typical errors, and to structure the simulator's practice environment.
The system provides immediate knowledge of results, extensive practice
of perceptual-motor skills, part-task training, and augmented cueing
in a realistic cockpit environment. (NASA-Ames Research Center)
Optimization of the design and use of Army flight simulators.
Surveyed Army aviator training requirements and state-of-the-art technology
in flight simulators. Defined the research required to determine the
most cost-effective level of fidelity for four simulator components:
the visual system, the motion systems (platform and force-cueing),
the math models that determine the handling qualities of the flight
simulator, and the cockpit displays and controls. Defined research
required to determine how best to use production flight simulators--simulators
that have been or are soon to be acquired by the Army. (Army Research
Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Display symbology training module. Developed a training module
for display symbology using a microcomputer-videodisk training system.
The module will be used in the AH-64 Aviator Qualification Course
for developing basic skills in symbology recognition, interpretation,
and integration, and during AH-64A operational unit sustainment training.
(Army Research Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
In-simulator skill acquisition and backward transfer. Designed
and conducted studies to determine the rate of skill acquisition for
20 critical maneuvers by rated AH-1S aviators in the production model
AH-1 flight simulator. The study employed a backward transfer analysis
in addition to defining in-simulator skill acquisition curves for
each of the 20 maneuvers. Results were used to identify fidelity problems
and to define requirements for simulator training modules. (Army Research
Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Data base modeling for the Simulator Complexity Testbed. Provided
data base modeling support for the Simulator Complexity Testbed (SCTB)
AH-64 research simulator. Developed a data base model of Hanchey Army
Heliport (Fort Rucker, Alabama), data base modeling software tools,
and documentation standards for data base models. Defined data base
modeling requirements for SCTB experiments and modified target models
to meet experimental requirements. (Army Research Institute, Aviation
Research and Development Activity)
Gunnery training effectiveness. Designed and conducted research
to evaluate the effectiveness of the AH-1 Flight and Weapons Simulator
(FWS) for sustaining crew gunnery skills over a 15-month period. Collected
objective performance data on a live-fire gunnery range before and
after sustainment training in the FWS. Estimated the ammunition requirements
for sustaining gunnery proficiency. (Army Research Institute, Aviation
Research and Development Activity)
Effectiveness of AIRNET for training collective tasks. Conducted
analyses and experimental research to evaluate the effectiveness of
the fully reconfigurable and generic versions of the aviation networked
simulator system (AIRNET) for conducting collective training. (Army
Research Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Perceptual biases in flight simulator visual systems. Designed
and conducted research to assess the type and magnitude of perceptual
biases exhibited by experienced aviators in judging altitude from
the scene displayed on a camera/modelboard visual system and a laser-scan/modelboard
visual system. (Army Research Institute Aviation Research and Development
Activity)
Aircrew coordination requirements. Evaluated the proposed crew
coordination requirements in the draft Aircrew Training Manual (ATM)
for the AH-64 attack helicopter. Developed a simulator-based scenario
and performance measurement instruments and evaluated the performance
of five aircrews in the Combat Mission Simulator (CMS). (Army Directorate
of Evaluation and Standardization)
Simulator-based training system model. Used information and
state-of-the-art modeling techniques to develop a model that characterizes
a simulator-based aviation training system. Emphasized use of the
model as decision aid in performing such tasks as: assessing cost-effectiveness
of alternate training system concepts, assessing system sensitivity
to proposed modifications of system components (devices, methods,
or both), assessing system capability to accommodate increased student
flow, identifying system changes that will improve utility and/or
validity of the simulator, and identifying research that will lead
to more innovative training devices and methods. (HumRRo, Army Research
Institute, and Program Manager for Training Devices)
Evaluation of contractor mission instructors for special operations
training. Designed and conducted research to evaluate the effectiveness
of contractor mission instructors in the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment Basic Mission Qualification Course. (Army Aviation
Systems Command)
Evaluation of TSTT as work sample test. Evaluated the target
acquisition and designation sight selected task trainer (TSTT) as
a potential work sample test for selecting applicants for the AH-64A
(Apache) attack helicopter qualification course. (Army Research Institute,
Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Gunnery training effectiveness of AH-64A Combat Mission Simulator.
Designed and conducted research to evaluate the effectiveness of the
AH-64A Combat Mission Simulator (CMS) for sustaining crew gunnery
skills. Collected objective performance data on a live-fire gunnery
range before and after sustainment training in the CMS. (Army Research
Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Evaluation of aircrew coordination. Evaluated the integration
of aircrew coordination into the AH-64 initial pilot training course.
Developed modified gradeslips, course critiques, and observer checklists
to document problems in teaching and evaluating the crew coordination
requirements of selected maneuvers. (Army Aviation Training Brigade)
Gunnery training standards. Evaluated the difficulty of standards
in the Army's helicopter gunnery manual for AH-64A crew gunnery qualification
and identified variables that influenced AH-64A gunnery performance.
Developed a method for establishing gunnery standards that were more
measurable and realistic. (Army Research Institute, Aviation Research
and Development Activity)
Aircrew performance in aircraft and simulators. Developed improved
instructor pilot rating methods and instruments for use in assessing
and diagnosing helicopter aircrew performance in both aircraft and
flight simulators. The system reduces the subjectivity inherent in
flight evaluations and provides standardized characteristics of pilot
performance. (Army Research Institute Aviation Research and Development
Activity)
Aviation ammunition and gunnery survey. Developed two survey
forms (one for individual aviators and one for unit commanders) to
assess ammunition requirements, range usage, simulator usage, and
training manual usage in Army aviation gunnery training. The survey
forms were administered in aviation units worldwide. The results were
used to determine unit ammunition allocations and to improve the Army
gunnery training program. (Army Research Institute, Aviation Research
and Development Activity)
Performance measurement system. Identified the population of
system state variables and operator control input variables available
in the AH-1 flight simulator. Specified desired sampling rates and
format for each variable. Worked with systems engineering personnel
in developing the software and hardware required for encoding trial
and subject identifiers for manually activating/deactivating the performance
measurement system, and for recording the desired measures. Developed
analytic methods and developed the computer software required to perform
the analyses. (Army Research Institute Aviation Research and Development
Activity)
Training required to sustain flying skills. Conducted research
to determine the effect of amount of practice and flight experience
on sustainment of Army helicopter pilot flight skills. Used data from
research to revise aviator training requirements in the Army's Aircrew
Training Manuals. (Army Research Institute Aviation Research and Development
Activity and Army Aviation Center Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization)
Tactical pattern recognition and decision training. Developed
and evaluated a course for training Army Brigade and Battalion Commanders
in rapid recognition of battlefield patterns. Used state-of-the-art
knowledge acquisition techniques to determine battlefield patterns
that commanders learn to recognize and use only after years of experience.
Identified critical features and meaningful variations within battlefield
patterns and developed a portfolio of patterns to serve as the basis
of a Rapid Tactical Decision Training (RTDT) course. (Army Research
Institute)
Human factors courses. Developed and conducted courses in the
fundamentals of human factors for engineering and design for a broad
range of clients in government, industry, and the military. The four-day
seminar provided an appreciation and understanding of the human factors
principles and techniques needed to design products for human use.
The seminar promoted active participation through demonstrations,
exercises, and workshops. Sessions included the human factors model,
task analysis, principles of display/control design, human-computer
interface design, layout principles and methods, link analysis, and
test and evaluation. Conducted special courses to meet the needs of
manufacturers of biomedical equipment, nuclear power systems, automobiles,
aerospace systems, and telephone and communications systems.
MOSS Instructors Guide. Studied the skill and knowledge elements
of the Navy's only expert on creation of audio tapes for the Mobile
Submarine Simulator (MOSS), and developed a course of study based
upon Instructional Systems Design techniques, so that other Navy personnel
could prepare these tapes without errors that would identify the simulators
as decoys to skilled enemy sonar experts. (Naval Ocean Systems Center)
Individual Ready Reserve aviator training. Prepared a comprehensive
program for retraining Army Individual Ready Research (IRR) aviators
who have not flown for periods varying from 2 to 15 years prior to
the commencement of IRR training. Prepared a training concept and
all required training materials and methods, including a detailed
flight training schedule, a student study guide, an instructor's guide,
and a comprehensive set of reference materials. Trained a sample of
IRR aviators for two consecutive years and use the results to evaluate
and refine the training program and to formulate recommendations about
its implementation. (Army Research Institute, Aviation Research and
Development Activity)
Interactive videodisk map interpretation and terrain analysis course
(MITAC). Developed a self-paced, interactive videodisk system
for training Army aviators to use topographic maps for map-of-the-earth
navigation and tactical planning. Evaluated the training effectiveness
of the system and used the results to (a)árefine the training content,
the interactive methods and capability, the navigation exercise format,
and the design of the supporting software, and (b) assess the cost-effectiveness
of producing other videodisk-based training systems. (Army Research
Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Interactive videotape preflight inspection training package.
Developed a self-paced interactive videotape for use in training aviators
to perform a walk-around inspection of the AH-1S (Cobra) attack helicopter.
Evaluated the system's training effectiveness and used the results
to refine the system design, to determine the system's cost-effectiveness,
and to compare the cost-effectiveness of interactive videotape systems
with interactive videodisk systems. (Army Research Institute, Aviation
Research and Development Activity)
Requirements for armor embedded training. Surveyed Army training
documents, interviewed 36 armor training experts, and described existing
systems and approaches for using interactive computer systems to train
individuals in the use of the system itself. Determined high-payoff
applications for embedded training in future armored vehicles and
identified specific tasks and techniques for embedding training modules.
Identified embedded training advantages and disadvantages, listed
armor tasks most in need of training aids, and developed sample training
modules for vehicle identification, direction of main gun engagements,
and call for/adjustment of artillery fire. (Delco Systems Operations)
AH-64 training requirements. Conducted a detailed mission/task/workload
analysis for the AH-64A (Apache) helicopter. Compared with tasks published
in the AH-64A Program of Instruction and Flight Training Guide. Developed
a matched list of tasks from the two sources, presented in the sequence
of a tactical mission scenario, in a format acceptable for input to
an AH-64A training systems model. (Army Research Institute Aviation
Research and Development Activity)
Armor training in combat units. Developed, evaluated, and demonstrated
methods to select and prioritize armor crew tasks. Defined the scope,
content, and methods to employ in training packages to be used to
train armor crew personnel in their duty position, cross-train them
for other crew positions, and prepare crewmen for combat after mobilization.
(Army Research Institute)
Army National Guard aviator training requirements. Determined
if Army National Guard (ARNG) aviators require additional training
time to meet current aviation training requirements and identified
the factors that influence the need for additional training time.
Administered questionnaires to all ARNG aviators to assess their ability
to meet the requirements in the amount of training time currently
allocated. Compiled monthly training logs to determine the amount
of time actually spent meeting specific types of training requirements.
Formulated recommendations about training system changes that serve
to eliminate training obstacles and otherwise increase training effectiveness.
(Army Research Institute, Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Aviation Resource Management Survey (ARMS). Identified critical
variables used to evaluate the management of U.S. Army Reserve and
Army National Guard aviation training resources. Developed questionnaires
to evaluate the detection difficulty, functional area importance,
and mission criticality of 670 inspection checklist items. (Army Research
Institute Aviation Research and Development Activity)
Evaluation criteria for sonar operator training. Developed
a tool for identifying new skill and knowledge requirements for equipment
being designed and/or for assessing the completeness and validity
of training recommendations provided by sonar manufacturing organizations
engaged in the development of new sonar systems. (Naval Sea Systems
Command) |
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