2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

626
UAV Sensor Op Task Distribution
Electronics
2%
Infrared
14%
Radar
25%
Operations Support
2%
Navigation
11%
Operations
10%
Administration
2%
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003
Tactics
10%
Figure 2 – Distribution of Tasks for MALE UAV Sensor Operators
Info Systems
Management
4%
Communications
5%
General Aircrew
6%
Combat Information
Organization
9%
Figure 2 displays the distribution of tasks performed by MALE UAV sensor
operators during PLIX. Seventy percent of task performed during this research event
involved radar (25%), infrared (14%), navigation (11%), operations (10%), and tactics
(10%). Typical radar tasks consisted of identifying and classifying radar contacts,
estimating the size of radar contacts, determining radar search altitudes, and conducting
radar area searches. Conducting forward-looking infrared camera (FLIR) searches,
detecting and identifying FLIR contacts, and assessing FLIR intelligence identification
runs are examples of infrared tasks. Navigational tasks performed included determining
the UAV’s position using visual and radar fixing procedures as well as interpreting
meteorological charts, reports, and forecasts. Detecting and classifying radar contacts,
conducting intelligence/evidence gathering, interpreting, displaying, and coordinating the
display of intelligence information provide insight into tasks associated with operations.
Tactical tasks included selecting and localizing UAV sensors and assessing the tactical
significance of contacts.
Thirty percent of MALE UAV sensor operator tasks were accounted for by less
than ten percent of tasks by individual duty area. Combat information organization (9%)
tasks included interpreting radar display information, as well as coordinating and
maintaining the production of the recognized maritime picture. General aircrew tasks
accounted for six percent of tasks performed by MALE UAV sensor operators during
PLIX. Managing individual tactical displays, visually identifying and classifying
contacts, and preparing post-flight reports and messages are indicative of general aircrew
tasks performed as a MALE UAV sensor operator. Communications accounted for five
percent of tasks performed in this position during PLIX, where tasks such as maintaining
internal communications and configuring communication equipment were performed.
Smaller percentages of tasks were performed in the information systems management
(4%), administration (2%), operations support (2%), and electronics (2%) duty areas as
well.