15th ICCRTS

Threat evaluation in naval Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) operations is accompanied by an unprecedented level of stress and cognitive overload for the operators mainly because of the dynamic and time-constrained nature of the context and the important amount of variables involved. A mixed-initiative capability is proposed that provides the operator with the needed information at different steps of his problem-solving task. Recognizing assistance opportunities, the capability provides, opportunistically, feedback that is adapted to the current problem-solving situation. Exploiting threat evaluation algorithms, the capability reasons on several inputs, such as the operator’s actions and preferences; the automation solution and its characteristics; and contextual information, in order to plan the best feedback in terms of content, format, and timing. While relieving the operator’s memory resources by representing the problem space through graphical interfaces, the capability uses several strategies to draw his/her attention on missing data, to highlight relevant (and sometimes overlooked) information, and to signal reasoning flaws. The proposed capability not only supports in this way the operator in his own inferential process, but is also capable of explaining and putting forth arguments in favour of its solutions in order to build the operator’s trust in its recommendations.