Identification of the cognitive, psychomotor, and psychosocial skill demands of Uninhabited Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) operators

Abstract

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Important and Critical Psychological Attributes of USAF MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper Pilots According to Subject Matter Experts

“…The results of the review by Pavlas et al (Ref 19) were similar to other studies that assessed the job tasks and skills required for military-specific RPAs such as the Pioneer (e.g., Ref 20,21) and Global Hawk (Nagy JE, Muse K, Eaton G, Phillips A, U.S. Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems Performance Analyses: Global Hawk Pilot and Sensor Operator Front End Analysis (FEA) Report, SURVIAC-TR-10-041, Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center, Jan 2007; available through the Defense Technical Information Center to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors only). The Pioneer is a small RPA designed primarily for short-range, low-altitude missions to provide commanders with real time ISR data on the battlefield.…”

Intelligence and Neuropsychological Aptitude Testing of U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator Pilot Training Candidates

“…A comprehensive review of the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities of RPA pilots in general (civilian and military) identified several cognitive aptitudes as key to performance, including situational awareness, vigilance, spatial analysis, reasoning, speed of information processing, visual tracking, searching, and scanning (12). The results of this review were similar to other studies that assessed the job tasks and skills required for military-specific RPA aircraft, such as the Pioneer (13,14) and Global Hawk (Nagy JE, Muse K, Eaton G, Phillips A, U.S. Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems Performance Analyses: Global Hawk Pilot and Sensor Operator Front End Analysis (FEA) Report, SURVIAC-TR-10-041, Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center, Jan 2007; available through the Defense Technical Information Center to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors only).…”

Multidimensional Aptitude Battery-Second Edition Intelligence Testing of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training Candidates Compared with Manned Airframe Training Candidates

“…A comprehensive review of the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities of RPA pilots in general (civilian and military) by Pavlas et al alluded to several cognitive attributes as key to performance, including situational awareness, vigilance, spatial analyses (i.e., ability to mentally manipulate two-dimensional objects into a three-dimensional mental image), reasoning, speed of information processing, as well as visual tracking, searching, and scanning [13]. The results of their review were similar to other studies that assessed the job tasks and skills required for military-specific RPAs such as the Pioneer [14,15], Global Hawk [16], and Predator [17]. Cognitive aptitudes that appear common to most major Predator job accomplishments include high levels of situational awareness, vigilance, spatial analyses and reasoning, speed of information processing, visual tracking, searching, and scanning, as well as complex and divided attention.…”