Identification of human factors concerns in Joint Strike Fighter and training recommendations

Abstract

Military aviation is the frontier of implementing leading edge technology. The major objectives of advanced technology aircraft are to increase pilot safety and mission efficiency; the Joint Strike Fighter, the most modern fighter aircraft under development, has many technological innovations for just this purpose. A common fact is that technology develops and is used faster than it can be researched thoroughly. This thesis seeks to identify and mitigate potential human factors concerns related to the Joint Strike Fighter, before it is used in the air forces of participating countries. The objective is neither to blame nor defend the design of the aircraft. Two surveys and an interview yielded the following findings: fighter pilots will use automation more in JSF than in their current types, the main LCD management will be key to mission efficiency and safety, the Distributed Aperture System should be addressed very carefully to avoid disorientation issues, and tactical decision-making skills will be more important and demanding. New approaches for better automation training, more focus on data filtering, display management, prioritization skills, establishing robust standard operating procedures for DAS, and addressing the complex decision-making skills in more detail than the current training curriculums are concluded to be the major requirements of JSF pilot training.