The Effects of Superimposing Symbology on a Simulated Night Vision Goggle Display

Abstract

The U.S. Army is acquiring a system that superimposes instrument symbology on night vision goggle (NVG) imagery. However, previous research indicates that the symbology may distract a pilot's attention from obstacle detection, recognition, and avoidance and may interfere with proper scanning patterns. To test the effects of combining imager and symbology, 36 helicopter pilots were presented night-flight scenarios simulating NVG imagery only, symbology only, and imagery plus symbology. The aviators were required to monitor and respond to predefined scene and symbology targets. They detected and responded rapidly to a high percentage of targets when viewing the scene-only and symbology-only scenarios. Their performance decreased significantly when the two types of information were presented together, but the decrease was small when compared to the increased amount of information available in the display. Aviator performance improved with practice and was related to experience and eye dominance. The aviators suggested several modifications for the symbology suite.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA263458

Entities

People

  • D. M. Mcanulty
  • David B. Hamilton
  • John W. Ruffner

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Cognitive Workload
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Databases
  • Flight Crews
  • Flight Instruments
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Measurement
  • Motor Skills
  • Night Vision
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Task Performance And Analysis
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Computer Vision.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).