Tactical weapon systems frequently depend on electro-optical sensors for engaging targets. Many of these electro-optical sensors utilize a man-in-the-loop. In such systems, the human eye is the critical processing element and is therefore the fundamental determiner of the sensor's effectiveness. This is true whether the sensor is the unaided eye (with or without magnification optics) or the eye in concert with devices which convert energy into the visible spectrum.

Simulations which intend to assess the effectiveness of proposed and existing sensors require accurate models of human visual performance. Unfortunately, human vision simulation models are generally immature, poorly understood, and more theoretical than practical. The paper presents a method for modeling human vision which represents a synthesis of existing methodologies for characterizing human visual performance. The method involves an approach which is useful to non-specialists, and will address all electro-optical sensors which utilize a man-in-the-loop. The paper reviews the tasks associated with engaging targets, by using a generic tactical weapon system to characterize the sequence of events to be modeled. Finally, the paper discusses the implementation of the model and its application in various simulation environments.