This chapter has described a set of real-time task-resource allocation algorithms pre- viously developed as part of a non-real-time battlefield analysis tool [13]. The algo- rithms provide an allocation of the available platforms and weapon loads to the set of targets currently identified, taking into account a range of different operational fac- tors: priority of target, preferred time on target, platform speed, and the suitability of the weapon to the target type and the danger of collateral damage. The algorithms also allow for co-operative attacks involving multiple platforms using laser designation systems. The algorithms are based on the minimisation of a cost function, which is defined as the sum of the individual costs that reflect these operational factors. The number of allocations to be searched is reduced by vetting the targets against the ability of the platform to reach the target and the ability of the weapons on each plat- form to prosecute the target. Forbidden weapon/target combinations or unreachable platform/target pairs are excluded from further searches. The remaining candidate al- locations are searched using a simulated annealing minimisation method combined with a series of allocation/re-allocation methods, including multi-platform/task swapping, single platform task reordering, and task removal.
With this type of capacity to optimally task and re-allocate aircraft and payloads amongst targets, the next logical step is then to increase capability to a stage where an operator can instead re-task the weapons after they have been launched. As the stand- off range of modern air-to-surface weapons increases, the increase in weapon flight time creates the opportunity for the situation on the ground, or the mission objectives, to change. Where the focus of this chapter was to generate adequate user interfaces to allow operators to obtain and effect task allocations to aircraft, the new focus will be to re-task weapons in flight. If all of the weapons in the scenario described in this chapter were already launched, could a remote operator perform the same role by interfacing directly with the weapons themselves? This is a paradigm shift that may occur in the air-to-surface weapons domain and must be investigated thoroughly.
The following two chapters will now detail the investigation into such an interface sys- tem with, in Chapter 5, a single short range air-to-surface bomb, and then in Chapter 6, multiple medium-long range air-to-surface missiles.
Chapter 5
Participant Study 1
This chapter develops the initial investigation into the resource-task allocation opti- misation algorithms presented in the previous chapter. Due to the extended stand-off range of modern air-to-surface weapons, there is an implication that once data-linked, future systems will be able to be re-tasked remotely during flight. It is necessary therefore to investigate the way in which this will impact on an operator carrying out re-tasking of remote weapons. This chapter will present an investigation into the re- tasking of individual short range data linked bombs against emerging targets in short time frames.
5.1
Introduction
Re-tasking of Remotely Operated air-to-surface bombs and missiles requires knowledge of the bomb or missile’s capability to be re-tasked to alternative targets. The previous chapters have highlighted how a bomb or missile’s current flight conditions, and remain- ing fuel if available, can be used to calculate a Re-task Availability Region (RAR). The RAR is the area on the ground to which a weapon may be successfully be re-tasked. The potential issue with the use of RARs for re-tasking weapons in flight is that they are not static. RARs change their shape over time – in general reducing in size as the weapon gets closer to the target. This prompts the research question of how best to display the RAR to operators to support their remote re-tasking duties.
Operators of remote systems require information to be presented to them in a way that facilitates decision making. This information can be verbal, audible and/or visual in form depending on the context. The information displayed visually must be sup- porting of the task at hand and displayed in a way that is not confusing or distracting. Chapter 2 has already highlighted the range of research conducted into the develop- ment of DSS as well as the underpinning theories of SA and decision making. With these theories and studies in mind, there is a need to apply these to the novel area of re-tasking remotely operated weapon systems.
This chapter presents a participant trial that tested the suitability of two modes of displaying RAR information on a remote operator terminal Graphical User Interface (GUI). Participants took the role of a remote operator in charge of re-tasking guided bombs to new high priority emerging targets. Their performance was measured in a range of tasks in which new targets appeared either within or outside of the capability of the guided bomb, or no new target appeared at all. The participants’ performance and responses to other metrics and demographic data are presented and discussed in relation to the applicability of the two different display modes to adapting existing remote operator terminals.