CSRDF EVALUATION OF FLIGHT PERFORMANCE IN MOPP IV GEAR

As part of the Air Warrior (AW) evaluation, flight task performance in simulated combat missions was investigated using four helicopter pilots wearing both protective flight gear [mission-oriented protective posture (MOPP IV)] and unencumbered by MOPP IV gear. The experiment was conducted using the U. S. Army’s Crew Station Research and Development Facility (CSRDF) rotorcraft simulator. In each session, pilots flew simulated missions in which they performed tasks which required them to push touch sensitive keys and displacement-type switches. Analysis of the objective data indicated that data entry on a key pad required an average of 80% more time for pilots wearing MOPP IV gear. The subjective results indicated that pilots reported greater performance decrements while wearing MOPP IV gear. Pilots felt that MOPP IV gear effects on flight task performance were significantly detrimental even when the objective measured effect was marginal or nonexistent.