Designing Simulation Experiments for Comparative Evaluation

It has become critical to the Army to use simulation as a design tool to decrease development costs while ensuring a more user-friendly weapon system. This necessitates that man-in-the-loop simulation exercises be conducted that allow comparisons of a new system against a known baseline. Discussed is the process of developing the Data Collection Exercises for the Crewman's Associate ATD, which will compare futuristic 2-crew and 3-crew crew stations against the current 4-crew M1A2 Abrams crew compartment. Given are details on the experimental protocol, a brief description of the tactical scenario used, the personnel required, and the measures that data were gathered on in the baseline.