A Summary of the Effects of Technology Aids and Crew Size on a Next Generation Combat Vehicle Platoon Section

Author(s):

Katherine R Cox, Joe T Rexwinkle, Gregory M Gremillion, Brandon S Perelman, Justin R Brooks, Philip Dyer, Kimberly A Pollard, Daniel E Forster, David Chhan, Evan C Carter, Sean M Fitzhugh, Shan G Lakhmani, Chou P Hung, Thomas L Rohaly, Jonroy D Canady, Andrea S Krausman, Steven M Gutstein, and Amar R Marathe

Abstract:

The Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) will operate in the Future Operating Environment, providing Soldiers with advanced capabilities to team with autonomous systems and overmatch adversaries with a reduced crew-to-autonomy ratio. The Human‒Autonomy Teaming Essential Research Program seeks to provide Soldiers with autonomous systems that function as teammates rather than tools, reducing workload, sharing tasking, and helping to improve survivability and lethality in the face of a dynamic environment and adversaries. Here, we examined how technology aids and crew size affected workload, situational awareness, and team performance. We found with the technology aids available, the crew was able to make faster decisions, reduce the number of communications needed, and reduce workload. In some of these analyses, we found that technology aids had a larger effect in a smaller crew (six Soldiers), leading their metrics to be more similar to those of a seven-person crew. These technologies thus enabled the NGCV crew to be more lethal and resilient in the face of varying mission types and a dynamic operational tempo.