Effects of Display Format on Sonar Operator Performance.
Abstract
The objective of this research was to determine whether the test currently used to measure proficiency in acoustic analysis, which differs substantially from the OL-82 sonar system used in the fleet, provides an accurate estimate of operator on-the-job performance. Subjects (22 AWs enrolled in the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron Forty-one (VS-41) operator course) were administered six single target grams to analyze and classify on the OL-82 sonar system simulator; and six, using static lofargrams. Measures of acoustic analysis (identification of sound source, predominant spectrum, and propeller mode), and classification (accurate identification of the target) decisions were obtained under both testing situations. Subject performance on the analysis variables differed significantly for the two display formats. Subjects were accurately identified predominant spectrum, sound source, and propeller mode on the OL-82 sonar system simulator than they did on the static linear lofargrams. Subjects' performance on the classification task was not significantly different for the two display formats. It was concluded that operator proficiency on the OL-82 sonar system simulator, at least for AWs in the training pipeline, cannot be estimated accurately using static linear lofargrams. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA129496
Entities
People
- Paula J. Konoske
- Sandra K. Wetzel
- William E. Montague