A Model of the Effects of Acceleration on a Pursuit Tracking Task
Abstract
Flight in fast fighter aircraft often results in physiological decrements caused by high accelerations due to gravity (Gz). Of principal importance during combat is the pilot's ability to track a moving target during high Gz maneuvers. A mathematical model of this task could become useful when planning air combat missions. Eight subjects performed a 2-D manual pursuit tracking task during four different Gz conditions in a human centrifuge simulator. The conditions included a 3-Gz, 5-Gz, and 7-Gz profile with one 15-sec peak. The final profile was a 7Gz peak simulated aerial combat maneuver (SACM). Time, Gz, and root mean square error (RMSE) were recorded. A modeling program was then created that accepted the time history of a Gz profile as input and used the values to calculate changes in the tracking RMSE values. The Gz profiles were then examined for agreement. The correlation coefficient, linear best-fit slope, and mean percent error were calculated for each Gz condition. Results: Correlation coefficients, linear best fit slope, and mean % error were as follows: SGz (0.91, 1.04, 6%), 7Gz (0.96,0.99, 7%), and 7Gz SACM (0.82, 0.78, 8%). The 3 Gz predicted and measured output was a relatively constant RMSE value of 72. Conclusions: The model is a reasonable predictor of average RMSE values during a pursuit tracking task for Gz levels between 3 and 7 in a human centrifuge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA468809
Entities
People
- Chuck Goodyear
- Kathy L. Fullerton
- Lloyd D. Tripp Jr.
- Richard A. Mckinley
- Robert L. Esken
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory