Human
factors of MQ-5B Hunter
Scott
E. Leishman
ASCI
638- Human Factors in Unmanned Aero Sys
Assignment
2.5
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University-Worldwide
November
29, 2016
Unmanned
Aerospace system
For this assignment I chose the MQ-5B Hunter.
This tactical Unmanned aircraft system is a long endurance, medium altitude
multi-mission (UAS). In particular this UAS was enhanced to provide the Army
with a steadfast aircraft that was capable of keep constant Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in the battlefield. The MQ-5B conducts
battlefield surveillance using multiple sensors, including its multi-mission
EO/IR/LD/LRF/Illuminator and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) payloads ("MQ5B
Hunter-Capabilities"). This system utilizes JAUS or Joint architecture for
unmanned systems. JAUS is a common language enabling internal and external
communication between unmanned systems.
Common
architecture and elements. This UAS employs a GCS-3000 ground control station (GCS) which is
typically manned with two operators (A pilot and a sensor operator/navigator).
It allows the UAS to track, command, control and communicate with not only the
air vehicle but the payloads onboard as well. The GCS is capable of controlling
up to 2 air vehicles at a time using one GCS. The GCS comes equipped with a
digital terrain and elevation data, as well as CD ROM map data and data from
the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) ("Hunter RQ-5A / MQ-5B/C UAV, United
States of America").
Command
and control strategy. This
unmanned air vehicle can operated either from a paved or a semi-paved runway or
can be launched via a rocket assisted takeoff system (RATO). The RATO launch is useful on board small ships
and in areas where space is limited. This UAS has an automated takeoff and
landing component to it and the GCS is setup in four bays. The four bays are as
follows: Pilot bay(controls flight of UAS),
Observer bay (payload functions), and a Navigation bay, which has a
digital map display which will trace the flight path and monitor mission
progress and finally the intelligence pay which incorporates data processing
and distribution capabilities. ("Hunter RQ-5A / MQ-5B/C UAV, United States
of America"). Northrop Grumman data sheet dictates the main logic
controller for this system is the BLK II OSGCS (One station ground control
system) with ATLS (automatic takeoff and landing system). With the OSGCS,
vehicle control station software is installed and allows for more automation in
flights, in particular this UAS is equipped with VCS-4586 which according to
Lockheed Martin “Operators enjoy real-time control and monitoring
capabilities through an intuitive point-and-click user-interface requiring only
a keyboard and mouse (Lockheed
Martin, 2016).”
Human factors issues
Although this UAS has performed over 80,000 hours of
operations, it still has human factors issues at play within the GCS. One of
those issues is automation. While automation is one way to negate over
saturating a task, it also eliminates common skills that are retained through
constant use, i.e. piloting. Take this particular UAS, if for some reason any
part of the communication link were to fail, and the GCS was no longer
automated, the pilots would have to intervene, and if they forgot how to do
something that is typically routine, for example landing, the results could be
disastrous. To negate this issue, pilots should be able to override automation,
and should balance automation with level of saturation. If the pilot has too
many mission tasks, they should employ automation, but in the event that the
pilot is only doing routine operations, automation should be limited to when
the UAS is loitering or in times where pilot intervention would infrequently be
needed. Another perceived human factor issue is displayed information used for
this UAS within the GCS. While it is good to have access to as much information
as possible, sensory overload can be another factor. This GCS could benefit
from having a multimodal display that would advise pilots of important
information. This would be extremely useful in events where an aircraft
operated in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or near IMC.
Conclusion
When we consider a design for a UAS and important functions
for the GCS, every characteristic of that system should be properly evaluated
to determine what the most effective and efficient roles are for the human
operator and machine (Hunt, Rice, Geels, & Davis, 2012). We should assure
that automation is not to exceed a level where the human operator can no longer
operate the aircraft, but not take away automation to a point where the
operator loses the ability to multi-task and take away from mission goals. Additionally,
the flow of information is a crucial aspect of operating an aircraft properly.
The flow of information needs to be widely understood by any and all
individuals involved with that system and it should be effective and efficient
as possible (Hunt, Rice, Geels, & Davis, 2012). Finally, the attributes of
the hardware and software available between the man-machine interfaces should
take into consideration how the users will interact with that technology. In
addition to understanding the interaction between the hardware, software and
human-machine interface, special attention should be given to possible lag
times and other potential issues with the given technology suite(Hunt, Rice,
Geels, & Davis, 2012).
References
Hunt, G., Rice, S., Geels, K., &
Davis, D. (2012). Using Magpie Research to Determine the Top 10 Human Factors
Issues in UAS for NATO FINAS. Proceedings Of The Human Factors And
Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 56(1), 1524-1528.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1071181312561303
Hunter RQ-5A / MQ-5B/C UAV, United
States of America. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/hunter/
MQ5B Hunter-Capabilities. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/MQ5BHunter/Pages/default.aspx
MQ5B-Datasheet. (n.d.). Retrieved November
29, 2016, from
http://www.northropgrumman.com/AboutUs/BusinessSectors/TechnicalServices/Documents/MQ-5B_Hunter.pdf
Lockheed
Martin,. (2016). Retrieved 30 November 2016, from
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/cdl-systems/VCS.html
No comments:
Post a Comment