Birds of Prey: Training Solutions to Human Factors Issues

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Birds of Prey Training Solutions to Human
Factors Issues

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Principals

• Robert T. Nullmeyer
• Lt Col Robert Herz
• Air Force Research Laboratory
• 6030 S. Kent Street
• Mesa, AZ 85281

Gregg Montijo Crew Training International Memphis,
TN
Robert Leonik CAE-USA Shalimar, FL
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How Do We Prevent This?

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Overview

• Mishap Rate and Studies
• Methodology
• Study data and results
• Training implications
• Questions

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Rate of HF Mishaps Across Air Force Mishaps
FY
Annual Percent of Mishaps Attributed to Major or
Causal Human Factors
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Previous UAV Studies

• OSD Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Reliability Study -
  www.acq.osd.mil/uas/docs/reliabilitystudy.pdf
• Defense Science Board study - Unmanned Aerial
  Vehicles and Uninhabited Aerial Combat Vehicles
  http//www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports.htm
• Tvaryanas, Thompson, and Constable (2005)
• U.S. Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  Mishaps Assessment of the Role of Human Factors
  using HFACS. (See DTIC)
• Tvaryanas and Thompson (2006)
• Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operator Error
  Mishaps An Evidence-based Prioritization of
  Human Factors Issues. RTO-MP-HFM-135. (NATO
  paper)

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Predator Mishap Data Sources

• Air Force Safety Center (AFSC)
• Annual summary flight statistics by aircraft type
  (hours flown, numbers of mishaps) Mishap report
  summaries
• Human Factors database
• Mishap reports
• Mishap Investigation Board report (Tab T)
• Life Sciences report (Tab Y)
• Accident Investigation Board (AIB) Class A report
  summaries
• Dates and main causes of Air Force Class A
  mishaps
• (http//usaf.aib.law.af.mil)

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Predator Class A Mishap Causes - AIB Reports

Mishaps Per Year
Fiscal Year
Source http//usaf.aib.law.af.mil
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Predator Class A Mishap Rates

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Methodology
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Top 10 Human Factors
(30 Total Mishaps, 18 Operations Mishaps from
1997-2006)
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When Mishaps are Occurring
Source Safety Center Mishap Summaries
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Early Mishap Human Factors(1997-2003)
Numbers of Class A Mishaps
N 9 Operations Mishaps
Source Safety Center Mishap Summaries
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Recent Mishap Human Factors(2004-2006)
Numbers of Class A Mishaps
N 11 Operations Mishaps
Source Safety Center Mishap Summaries
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Where We Agree

• Written procedures and guidance sometimes lacking
  with new weapons system
• Man-Machine interface is an issue and is
  presently being worked at several levels
• Improving existing workstation software and
  hardware
• New crew workstation
• Multi-Aircraft Control (MAC) presents additional
  challenges

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Predator Human Factors

• Causal in most Predator mishaps (63)
• Legacy CRM skills are frequently cited
• Interface and documentation also common
• Some areas seem to be improving
• Fatigue
• Risk assessment
• Opportunities to improve remain in other areas
• Skill and knowledge deficiencies
• Channelized attention
• Crew coordination

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Three Generations of Challenges

• Equipment failures
• Powerplant
• Communication links
• Operator (and maintainer) Error
• Skills and knowledge
• Teamwork
• Improved command and control
• Coordination in larger 55-person Predator team
• Coordination with Air and Space Operations Center
• Optimizing value added in network centric warfare

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Questions