Modeling of operators with structural equation models

An aircraft radar study was performed at FOI:s Division for Combat Simulation, FLSC (The Swedish Airforce Combat Simulation Centre) during 2002-2004. The goal of the study was to investigate the operational aspects of a new aircraft radar system for the JAS 39 Gripen. The study was a part of the systems development process that provides technical input to the material acquisition process conducted by FMV (The Defence Materiel Administration). Thus, the ability of fighter pilots to perform with a number of different radar alternatives has been thoroughly studied. A large amount of data describing the pilots´ experiences and means to perform with the different radar alternatives has been collected. The FOI project on Operator Functional State Assessment, responsible for this report, has collected data that describes the mental workload, situation awareness and operative performance of the pilots. The possibility to use structural equation modelling (SEM) to statistically model parts of the collected data is presented in the report in order to show the possibilities of this analysis method. Only parts of the results from the simulations run during the study are presented in the report. In the report no comparisons between the radar alternatives that were studied have been made, in order to keep this methodology report from being classified. Both commercial and military security concerns have affected the content presented in the report. A statistical model that describes how a number of central human factors concepts relate to the operative outcome is presented.