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Eye-controlled switching has been proposed as a biocybernetic control approach which may increase system effectiveness while reducing pilot workload. In this experiment, six subjects selected discrete switches on the front panel of a cockpit simulator while manually tracking a target. In two eye-controlled methods, the subjects directed their gaze at the switch indicated by an auditory cue and then made a consent input (either a manual response or a verbal response). In a conventional manual condition, subjects selected the switches with their left hand. The analysis of mean switching time suggests that eye control is a feasible alternative when hands-off control is desired. Tracking performance was found to differ significantly among switching conditions, indicating the importance of quantifying the efficiency of candidate control methods in visual workload environments analogous to that of the application environment.

Helmet mounted displays have been advocated for use in high performance aircraft for several years. One such system uses a magnetic sensor embedded in a helmet to detect head movement and presents information tailored to the current head position on the helmet visor. A Helmet-Mounted Display and Sight (HMDS) system of this type, designed and developed by the Kaiser Electronics Company, was evaluated in piloted simulation at the McDonnell Aircraft Company in April and May of 1987. These studies were sponsored by the Human Engineering Division of The Armstrong Aeromedical Research Laboratory under their Vista Saber program.For these studies, four USAF pilots evaluated the HMDS in one hundred simulated air combat engagements. Approximately half the engagements were conducted using the HMDS and half with the display turned off. The simulated engagements were chosen to be representative of major types of Air Force missions and included air combat within as well as outside visual contact with the threat.These engagements were conducted against both manned and computer -controlled threats.The tactical utility of HMDS was evaluated using data collected during these simulated engagements. The data collected included subjective pilot workload data; performance data taken to indicate changes in weapons employment, sensor usage and mission success; and pilot comments. This paper will describe these tests and discuss the results obtained.1.

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