Operator Selection for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operators: A Comparison of Video Game Players and Manned Aircraft Pilots

摘要

With the ability to remotely identify enemy activity, track potential targets for extended periods of time, and safely engage the enemy from ground control stations located thousands of miles away, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have witnessed unprecedented popularity among military leadership and operators. Unfortunately, the accelerated UAS operations tempo has now outpaced current operator training regimens leading to a potential shortage of qualified UAS pilots. This study attempted to discover whether video game players (VGPs) possess superior UAS-relevant cognitive skills when compared to manned aircraft pilots and therefore possibly serve as a viable operator alternative to UAS pilots.