New Frontiers for Human Factors Science and Technology: Defense Panel

Abstract

The Defense Panel includes three members from the Military Departments who are involved in Defense Human Factors science and technology programs at three management levels. Each will present a brief discussion of the current and projected human factors problems related to weapon systems development and operation and and will also discuss the research and development efforts to address these problems. First, Mr. Gary Morton, Director of Navy Laboratories, Navy Material Command, will discuss Navy human factors problems and programs from a broad Navy Laboratories point-of-view. As Commander of the Aerospace Medical Division, Major General John W. Ord (USAF, MC) brings the perspective of the manager of all human factors research and development for the Air Force. Dr. Edgar M. Johnson, Technical Director, Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) will present the Army's human factors needs and ARI's science and technology programs which focus on these needs.

The objective of the Defense Panel is to provide a forum in which current and future problems in military systems are discussed. The human factors science and technology programs to solve the problems will also be discussed. During the past decade, the Department of Defense weapons system development process has been modified to more effectively include human factors considerations throughout the entire spectrum of the weapon system development and employment. Most current and projected military weapon systems have a significant human operator component. This human operator component requires consideration of a wide variety of issues: protective systems, human performance capabilities, personnel skills/quality, training, personnel manning and related costs considerations, performance measurement, human/machine interface (especially computer), decision making and military organizational factors. Also the more traditional human factors problems such as displays and controls, task allocations and operator station design require consideraton. A major issue that the Panel will consider concerns the human factors of the engineering process and how human factors science and technology can impact this process. Examples of current and future weapon systems problems and the science and technology initiatives to solve these problems will be discussed.