Comparison of a Manned Helicopter Simulation to a Computer-Based Human Performance Model

The Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis (MIDAS) tool combines human performance and cockpit models for evaluation through computer-based simulation. MIDAS was developed to support concept exploration and development in software, rather than hardware, thereby reducing design cycle costs. The current MIDAS study replicated a part-task experiment performed by the Israeli Air Force. The purpose of this study was to validate several of the operator models in MIDAS. Specifically under test was the computational model of situational awareness as described in Ref 1; however the entire range of cognitive models, from perception to decision making, was ultimately tested. The experiment was a simulation of an air-to-ground mission performed by the Co-Pilot Gunner (CPG) in an attack helicopter.