The combat information centre: the interface between warfare officers and sensor weapon systems

摘要

It is a matter of combining human and machine but in a manner in which the human is the core and the machine is the tool. Under contract to the Royal Netherlands Navy, the TNO Human Factors Research Institute is investigating the corebusiness of personnel in future operations rooms. With emphasis on cost reduction for future combatants and the related interest in reduced manning concepts, the allocation of functions between personnel and computers is essential. A structured analysis of missions, functions and tasks has been conducted to predict the effect of manning concepts, particular in operations rooms, on system performance. From a human-factors point of view, the main issue in Command and Control tasks is the decision-making process, or more specific the functions situation awareness, threat assessment, decision-making and direction and control. To a certain extent these functions can be fulfilled by computers but uncertainty, as a key-element of the decision-making process, has to be assessed by humans. Empirical data show the performance of the command team can be improved by interfaces, facilitating the access to the combat system. Issues related to enhanced cross-checking within the command team by the organization of the team and by supportive tools as shared workspaces need further attention.