Simulation-Based Evaluation of a Position Navigation System for Armor: Soldier Performance, Training, and Functional Requirements

摘要

The Army is investigating the utility of including an automated Position Navigation (POSNAV) system in the Block II M1A1 tank. Researchers evaluated a prototype POSNAV system by assessing the simulation-based performance of 15 Armor platoons and 60 tank crews in two different display formats. The research compared the performance of crews and platoons using either a POSNAV grid or terrain map display with the performance of crews and platoons using conventional navigational tools, including a paper map, compass, and protractor. Findings strongly support including a POSNAV display in future tank upgrades. Armor crews and platoons equipped with Posnav performed significantly better than crews and platoons using conventional navigational techniques. POSNAV-equipped crews and platoons completed marches and combat missions more quickly, used less fuel, and reported checkpoints and enemy and own-tank locations faster and more accurately than crews and platoons using conventional tools. Few significant performance differences were detected between the POSNAV grid and terrain map display conditions. POSNAV issues addressed in this report include soldier performance and training implications, user acceptance, functional requirements, and potential combat, combat service, and combat service support effects. (SDW)