The Aircrew Coordination Training Enhancement (ACTE) program is a continuation of the US Army Research Institute's (ARI) effort to promote applied research and development of the existing Army Aircrew Coordination Training (ACT) program. Following implementation of the initial Army ACT program in the mid-90's, field commanders and aircrews alike acknowledged the benefit of the mandatory, onetime training that was received by all aviators within the US Army aviation community. However, program funding did not provide a mechanism to effectively sustain high levels of aircrew coordination training. Additionally, experience and skill levels have decreased significantly because of diminished defense spending and concomitant reductions in personnel strength levels. The combination of these factors may have contributed directly to a reversal in Army aviation accident rates that had been declining since ACT implementation. The goal of the current ACT enhancement effort is to provide a capability for a web-delivery, interactive aircrew coordination training system that will provide Army aircrews worldwide with the knowledge, skill sets, and attitudes that will increase their safety of flight and mission effectiveness in daily operations.

This paper describes the ongoing training system research and development effort under the guidance of the US Army Research Institute. The research plan consists of three major phases - upgrade and sustain the existing ACT program, refresh and maintain the upgraded ACT program, and deploy advanced ACT applications. Central to the upgrade and sustainment phase is the process of designing and developing a prototype interactive computer-based instructional package that will be exported and evaluated for instructor-mediated training events. The instructional design employs state-of-the-art technology provided by programming software such as Macromedia Flash and Dreamweaver Ultra-Dev. The instructional approach includes refresher modules prerequisite to scenario-based case study modules that serve as the basis for facilitated discussions or "hangar talk" designed to instill and enhance effective crew coordination skills among aircrew members. An important part of the case study modules is the on-line evaluation of presented mishap scenarios in the form of a feedback histogram. The ability of facilitators and students to see performance variations in scenario situations serves as a trigger for discussion and internalization of optimal team coordination behaviors. The long-term goal is to provide ACT for consumption as a mission and aircraft specific training and performance evaluation system for use by unit instructors and individual aircrew members.