School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Title:	Optimised Selection of Aircrew Training Media
Duration:	3 years (1/10/2010-30/9/2013)
Sponsor:	Case Award Studentship, sponsored by EPSRC and BAE Systems
Keywords:	electronic and electrical engineering, systems of systems, ESOS, optimisation

The purpose of this research is the creation of an approach, with supporting framework or tool, through which the selection of training media can be optimised so as to ensure the complete satisfaction of training objectives using the most commercially appropriate blend of media.

 

Multi-force operations in an increasingly networked battle space, including interacting with the remote operation of uninhabited vehicles (land, sea, and air) will place an additional information management and communication burden on pilots.  Synthetic training solutions have been suggested as a practical and safe means to rehearse typical tasks in such complex and operational scenarios.  Training must ensure learning, transfer and retention, but this must be achieved through programmes that are flexible, safe, available and resource-efficient.

As such, training programmes will be built from a combination of live flying, synthetic environments, mixed  live and synthetic, computer and classroom based activities; i.e. a mixed media approach.  The construction of training programmes to satisfy the above (and other) criteria requires optimisation of the selection of media in a way that is tailored to meet individual and operational needs, and to provide a integrated approach between Live, Virtual and Constructive entities which is the main aim of the umbrella programme this project supports.

The objective of the research in this programme is the creation of an approach, with supporting framework or tool, through which the selection of training media can be optimised so as to ensure the complete satisfaction of training objectives using the most commercially appropriate blend of training media. 

The approach must provide a repeatable and quantifiable solution to support decision making by trainers in the construction of training programmes.  Thus, it requires the incorporation of qualitative information within a numerical decision support tool in a way that can be rigorously justified.

Dr. Steve Whittle, BAE Systems