Prediction of Tank Gunnery Simulator Performance Using the Apts Battery

Abstract

This research investigates the efficacy of the Automated Performance Test System (APTS), a battery of tests measuring basic psychomotor, cognitive, and spatial abilities, to predict complex psychomotor performance on two part-task tank gunnery simulators, TOPGUN and the Videodisk Gunnery Simulator (VIGS). It was hypothesized from past research that the Manikin, Simultaneous Pattern Comparison, and Four-Choice Reaction Time subtests of the APTS would be predictive of TOPGUN and VIGS performances. Additional research goals were to examine the stabilities and reliabilities of APTS, TOPGUN, and VIGS. Forty male undergraduate students were tested on the APTS; afterward, they completed either TOPGUN (N = 20) or VIGS (N = 20) training. Results obtained indicated that Code Substitution, Manikin, and Pattern Comparison were predictive of tank gunnery simulator performance at the p =.01 level. It is concluded that 1) these results need to be replicated, due to the complexity of the analyses conducted, 2) the APTS were found to be very stable and reliable, but TOPGUN and VIGS measures were unreliable, and 3) the unreliable simulator measures limited APTs' surrogate potential.

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