Timothy Bagnall , and Ronald L . Small Human Interface Evaluation Methods for Submarine Combat Systems

This paper describes research done by Micro Analysis & Design, Inc. (MA&D) for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. We developed objective tools, metrics, and a methodology for improving submarine combat system operator interfaces. Our methodology included understanding the domain, developing human performance models of operator tasks and decisions, and then devising solutions for specific challenges. In this research, MA&D developed a task-network model of the submarine combat system in order to compare operator performance in the baseline model to performance with the enhanced system, to determine whether the proposed modifications will yield an overall improvement in system performance. Though the focus of the current research is toward the Combat System operator, all work has been performed with the decision maker in mind. This research, then, will provide groundwork and contributions toward understanding and improving the decisions made at the command level. Furthermore, findings from the operator task-network model have the potential to apply toward system, employment, and training improvements.