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2. Six experiments were conducted. The specific purposes of the research were to determine the effects of training on performance, Identify some of the factors that Influence range estimation, and determine the effectiveness of miniaturizing the training environment. Several variations of range estimation training methods were studied, but the basis for all techniques was either Immediate knowledge of results after making an estimation, "paired associate" presentation of aircraft position with true slant range, or the use of an occluding object as a range estimation aid. The research data were obtained by field testing at Fort Bliss, Texas.3. This report should be of value to personnel responsible for training in range estimation and aerial target detection, and to those interested In training methods and techniques. The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position, unless so designated by other» authorized documents. FOR THE CHIEF OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Military ProblemThe forward area gunner equipped with small arms, larger caliber automatic weapons, and missile systems is now being considered capable of an air defense role. One of the perceptual skills required for this role is the accurate estimation of the weapon's effective range. Corrrect range estimation will conserve ammunition, increase the number of potentially effective rounds fired, and increase the probability of taking the proper lead. Research ProblemThe ability to estimate range to ground targets has been fairly well documented, but range estimation performance with aerial targets has received only minor study. The possibility of training range estimation skills and the study of variables that may affect performance have been relatively unexplored. Six pilot studies were conducted to determine the effects of training on range estimation performance and to identify some of the relevant variables. Method and Results Experiment IThe purpose of the first experiment was to conduct an initial study of range estimation training methods, and determine whether range estimation skills could be trained. Sixteen Army personnel serving as subjects for the experiment were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: "immediate reinforcement" training, in which trainees were given immediate knowledge of the true range after making an estimation; "paired associate" training, in which the true range information was provided while the aircraft was being observed; "finger occlusion" training, in which the index finger was used as a range estimation aid; or the control group.All subjects received 6 pretest trials, 18 training trials, and 6 posttest trials. On all test trials their task was to estimate a range of 350 meters, but during training the response varied according to the training method employed. The test aircraft was a U-6A which flew a constant speed of 100 knots at altitudes of 175, 300, and 400 feet and crossing ranges of about 90, 150, and 200 meters.The results indicated that there were n...

An experiment tested the hypothesis that target detectability on a PPI radar display depends on O's knowledge of the attributes denning a target. Equal numbers of O's were given either a brightness, a form, or a combined brightness-form set during training. A 4th group was given only demonstration training. The criterion test involved detection of 2 target sizes in 2 levels of visual noise for 3 target speeds. Analysis of variance revealed an interaction between set and noise level, confirming the hypothesis for the high noise level only.

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