Related Experiment Videos
Situational awareness is more than exceptional vision
1U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX 78235-5301.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Superior situational awareness, crucial for aerial combat success, is primarily a cognitive skill. It involves processing cues, anticipating changes, and proactive action for tactical pilots.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Aviation Psychology
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Situational awareness is critical for success in aerial engagements.
- Existing literature suggests situational awareness is primarily cognitive.
- Understanding the cognitive underpinnings can enhance pilot performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define situational awareness within the cognitive domain.
- To identify key pilot attributes contributing to superior situational awareness.
- To explore the interplay of cognitive processes in tactical aviation.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of over 1,000 published sources.
- Formulation of situational awareness as a cognitive construct.
- Identification and description of three key cognitive constructs.
Main Results:
- Situational awareness is principally located in the cognitive domain.
- Superior awareness requires sensitivity to cues, anticipation of changes, and proactive responses.
- Automatic information processing, near-threshold processing, and skilled memory are crucial components.
Conclusions:
- These cognitive constructs collectively form a pilot attribute essential for superior tactical performance.
- Enhanced understanding of these cognitive elements can inform training and technology development.
- Situational awareness is a complex cognitive capability vital for effective aerial combat.