Aided and Unaided Operator Performance with First Generation FLIR Imagery
Abstract
The current investigation examined automatic target cueing (ATC) and target localization performance with first generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery collected during the Theater Missile Defense Eagle Smart Sensor ATC (TESSA) flight demonstration program at Eglin Air Force Base, FL. Sixteen observers viewed 360 dynamic FLIR images that varied in terms of aiding (unaided versus aided), ATC accuracy (50% hits versus 75% hits), the amount and type of background clutter ("open," "treeline," and "sparse" sites), and slant range to the target array (8 km, 6 km, and 4 km). All images contained the target to be detected, a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), as well as two support vehicles. After viewing each FLIR image sequence, participants identified the location of the TEL and rated their confidence in their decision. The results revealed that ATC cueing enhanced operators' confidence in their decision making but did not alter their localization accuracy or perceptual sensitivity (d') relative to the unaided condition, an outcome which may be attributable to ceiling effects (mean correct localizations were 99.4%). In addition, operators performed somewhat more slowly with the cueing than without, though the difference was small. Further, ATC accuracy did not affect any aspect of operator performance or confidence, again due to ceiling effects. The high level of performance effectiveness in this study indicates a need to examine the effects of ATC assistance at ranges greater than 8 km.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA362329
Entities
People
- Gilbert G. Kuperman
- Iris Davis
- Joseph T. Riegler
- Judi E. See
- William P. Janson