A Computer Graphic-Based Aid for Analyzing Tactical Sightings of Enemy Forces
Abstract
Computer and computer-driven graphics are being explored for potential utilization by the battlefield staff. One such effort is designed to assist in detecting patterns by replacing manual plots of sightings with efficient and flexible computer graphic techniques and associated algorithms. An interaction of the analyst with these displays and algorithms for analyzing sightings forms the basis for the present evaluation of a battlefield interpretation aid. Questions were asked about direction, speed of movement, and changes in location of battlefield activity in a classical division attack scenario. Six aided participants derived answers by specifying activity on a graphic display from which the computer calculated distances, speeds, etc. Six unaided participants derived answers from the displays without the use of computerized calculations. Responses in the aided condition were substantially more accurate than responses in the unaided condition. Measures of time did not meaningfully discriminate between the conditions. Accuracy results suggest that analyst-controlled computerized algorithms should be used for determining enemy patterns for computer graphic displays of sightings. The aid could be improved by better adaptation to equipment, thorough training and design refinements. However, results are sufficiently promising to suggest provision for accommodating mass/movement and related temporal/spatial analysis algorithms in requirements documents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA049578
Entities
People
- Franklin L. Moses
- Richard P. Vande Hei
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences