Instruction for Military Air Intercept Control

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted using a microcomputer simulation to teach military air-intercept control skills. In Experiment I, three experimental training methods were compared to the normal method in which students identify the bearing of the enemy fighter from a friendly fighter and then calculate an intercept heading. Part training was employed to provide intensive training in critical component skills. Time compression was used to speed the simulation after the student provided a solution, so that many more practice trials could be given in each training session. A spatial visualization method of determining the intercept heading was contrasted to the normal method of mathematical calculation. After training, all subjects were tested with the same whole, real-time scenario. Part training with time compression and the spatial visualization method of determining intercepts was more effective than whole, real-time training with the calculation method of determining intercepts. The results suggest a substantial benefit from time compression. The possible benefits of part-task training were not as clear. In the second experiment, two part-task training methods were compared to a whole-task method. One part-task group received long blocks of each component while the second part-task group received a series of short blocks. Time compression and spatial visualization were used in all conditions. The results suggest that part-task training does not improve the effectiveness of training air intercept control skills.