Modeling the Neurodynamics of Submarine Piloting and Navigation Teams

The continuous operation of a submarine is a complex, dynamic activity requiring a team that is highly trained, organized and cognitively ready. The training to develop these skills includes high fidelity simulations and open-water experiences. Nevertheless mishaps do occur, leading to the need to develop a deeper understanding of the ways successful teams operate and create operational resilience. These methods would enable those who assess and prepare crews for deployment to look for and build up these practices. Previous research by The Learning Chameleon, Inc. has developed EEG-derived methodologies for identifying changes related to the cognitive organization and readiness of navigation teams that can be collected in required training sessions that are sensitive to short (seconds) and long (minutes) term changes in the task and that can distinguish the performances of Junior Officer and experienced navigation teams. The proposed studies will link this research to an advanced simulation platform called the Submarine Bridge Trainer that will be delivered to the Submarine Learning Center shortly. The result will be the development of a system providing near real-time neurodynamic indicators of the cognitive readiness and organization of teams based on the behaviors and practices identified as being important for Submarine Operational Resilience.