Information management in teams

This report summarizes three years of studies of technical support for spatial awareness. The most important conclusions are that 1.) support in the form of GPS, digital map and electronic compass increases the ability to correctly designate direction to objects/positions beyond visible range, 2.) the ability to designate direction to objects/positions beyond visual range without technical support is very limited, 3.) it is possible to designate direction to a target on an electronic map as fast as 5 seconds with acceptable accuracy, 4.) a small display (3.5 inch) can be used for designating targets with a reasonable accuracy, 5.) it is hard to judge the distance to an object that is presented on a digital map, indicating that distance should be presented, 6.) a digital map can be used while wearing night vision goggles, and, 7.) persons with an assessed low spatial capability benefit the most by being provided with technical support. The report also gives a number of recommendations for the design of a soldier support system.