Human Factors in Unmanned Aerial Systems in the German Bundeswehr

Abstract

In military contexts, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) efficiently fulfil reconnaissance duties and increase the safety of military personnel. However, compared to conventionally piloted aircraft, there is an increased rate of accidents involving UAS, some of which were a result of technological factors. Crucially, human factor failures have also been shown to contribute to UAS mishaps. As yet, little is known about the specific demands on operating UAS personnel. The aim of the present study, conducted in cooperation with the German Air Force’s Center of Aerospace Medicine, is to empirically assess the demands of the UAS operating positions within the German Bundeswehr. A total of 218 experienced UAS operators completed an extended version of the Fleishman Job Analysis Survey consisting of 75 scales for assessment of required abilities and skills from cognitive, psychomotor, physical, sensory and interactive/social domains. Results show both general and system- or position-specific demands on UAS operators. The outcomes of this study contribute to the development of specific requirement profiles for UAS operating personnel and will serve as a basis for future expert evaluation workshops, in which the impact of HMI concepts and designs and different levels of automation on operator demands will be determined.