Sonar Training Motivation, Assessment, Tailoring, and Enhanced Remediation (ST-MASTER)

Sonar operators on anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)-capable surface ships have difficulty reaching and maintaining proficiency. Existing training systems, such as the SAST sub-system of the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 undersea combat system) do not sufficiently motivate sailors to participate in training, contributing to sonar operators and sonar watchstanding teams having diminished proficiency. Serious games, or more generally, Immersive Learning Simulations (ILSs), have the potential to engage trainees, but are challenging to design within the constraints of an operational environment. Based on the positive results achieved in Phase I, Charles River Analytics proposes a Phase II effort to develop and evaluate an ILS-enhanced system for Sonar Training, Motivation, Assessment, Tailoring, and Enhanced Remediation (ST-MASTER). ST-MASTER will incorporate skill models in agent-based reasoning components, will customize training scenarios based on trainee proficiency, and will assess individual and team proficiency. It will also incorporate motivation models, assess users motivation levels, and provide ILS-enhanced feedback via user interfaces for trainees and trainers. By leveraging existing technologies, we will develop a full-scope ST-MASTER prototype while ensuring that, ultimately, ST-MASTER will successfully interface with Navy systems targeted for transition.