Technology Insertion Process: Determining Task Deficiencies and Matching to Effective Technologies
Abstract
There is an abundance of training technology in almost every warfighter domain. However, the challenge still remains as to how best to use this technology, and what tasks can benefit the most from insertion of technology into the training environment. AFRL in Mesa, Arizona recently made substantial progress toward this challenge by identifying how simulation technologies could be used to enhance flying within the U.S. Air Force, Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Researchers from AFRL developed a technology insertion process that included instructor pilot workshops, visits to flying training bases, training task definitions, assessment of current simulators, surveys to assess critical training tasks, and a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to prioritize training technologies. The workshops were a critical component of the technology insertion process as they helped identify the training requirements and tasks for several aircraft training courses, including the T-6, T-38, T-1A, AT-38B, T-38C, F-15, and F-16. After the instructor pilots validated the task requirements, AFRL launched an internet-based survey to over 700 instructor pilots across the U.S. Air Force. The survey was designed to collect ratings on task difficulty, syllabus time allocation, how often tasks contribute to busted check rides, proficiency of graduates, and the adequacy of current simulation devices. This data identified the more critical training needs and formed the basis of an index for weighting the criteria in the subsequent QFD. QFD workshop participants included instructor pilots, researchers, and engineers who have had exposure to updated training technologies. They assessed how useful 27 different advanced simulation technologies would be for training each task. The priority weights from the survey were then used as multipliers for each technology score to yield total weighted scores for each technology and a prioritized rank ordering of those technologies. (5 tables)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428514
Entities
People
- David R. Greschke
- Gregory J. Sidor
- Ira A. Schurig
- Jonathan M. Cain
- Terence S. Andre