Training Cognitive Situational Awareness for Multi-Platform Command and Control

This proposal recognizes the complexity of the concept of Situational Awareness (SA) in the context of information-based warfare paradigms. The principal objective of the Phase I effort is to establish the reliability of an innovated “Boolean” approach to establishing SA scoring. Our approach breaks-down complex problems into identifiable measurable elements. Plausible tactical scenarios are established. Detailed SA elements are defined to measures if salient features in a complex problem space are perceived. The Phase I effort establishes a Web-based SA metric assessment tool (SAMAT) to host SA measurement curriculum. SAMAT supports controls that support start; pause; and step-through actions at desired SA measurement points. Experimentation is performed where SAMAT exercises synchronized scenarios across multiple USWDSS nodes using a scaled version of the USWDSS Build 2 Classroom Trainer Tactical Training Environment. The Phase I effort employs commercially available software to create record text, audio, and video recording of the SA measurement assessment experimentation. Upon completion of the experiment, analysis is performed to determine the viability of Boolean, objective, SA assessment. Debriefs from trainee responses and analysis of recorded data are used to establish the reliability of SA metric assessment and drive requirements for the Phase II SA metric tool prototype.