Date of Award

3-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael E. Miller, PhD

Abstract

As fighter aircraft become more complex and technology, such as autonomy, is introduced, it is essential to anticipate the critical tasks and information pilots need to accomplish their mission with these new systems. Fighter pilots operate in highly demanding situations where the consequences of failure are severe and require their systems to provide the right information for the task. Traditionally, these designs are informed through Critical Task Analyses of existing systems. This research produced a method for modeling critical task analysis and information requirements using model-based systems engineering. The scenario was a fighter aircraft conducting basic fighter maneuvers in a within-visual-range, one-on-one engagement. The analysis was accomplished using data from an existing task analysis report. Hierarchical and critical task analysis methods were used to identify and model the sequence of pilot tasks during the different phases of the mission. This research proposes a Systems Modeling Language extension and method for modeling the sequence of pilot tasks as well as quantifying the criticality of each task. To aid user interface designers, the required information to accomplish each task is also included in the model with a method to identify the information priority. Several tools were created to display this information to enhance stakeholder understanding. Future research could build upon these methods in a simulation to produce a time-based analysis of a number of variables such as pilot workload, dynamic information needs, and other design relevant information.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-25-M-101

Comments

An embargo was observed for posting this thesis on AFIT Scholar.

This work is marked as Distribution A - Approved for public release. PA clearance case number on file.

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