To determine visual requirements for ground-based tactical trainers, it is necessary that system designers understand how the aircrew perceives the real world in a tactical situation including what and how various cues are used to accomplish the mission.

Visual simulation system performance requirements are often based purely on visual perceptual data collected under laboratory conditions. Such data tends to overstate the requirement since it has no real world or training need modulation and does not reflect the effects of the aircraft and mission environment on human performance. It also does not address factors such as target obscuration or occulting nor how supplementary pointer cues and avionics may be used to locate a target. Data is also needed as to where a pilot looks within the field of view during each element of a mission in order to define field of view requirements of the display.

It is important that the system designer understands the missions and likely conditions and environment that affect the pilot in the real world so that the simulation can reflect these conditions. He must also understand the cues used by the pilot to detect targets, waypoints, SAMS, etc., in order that the data base reflects the proper conditions and supporting cues.

This paper briefly addresses the visual trade process, vision requirements, and the process of collecting and applying pilot perception data to support visual simulation requirements for tactical training in a USAFE type of environment.

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Richard Heintzman