TECHNICAL REPORT 1792 March 1999

this report for technical accuracy: Dr. Robert Smillie, Mr. Orv Larson, and Mr. Rey F. Yturralde from SSC San Diego; Lieutenant Commander Karl Van Orden from the Naval Health Research Center, and Commander Jeff Bacon from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report discusses an investigation to determine which tactical information should be displayed in three dimensions (3-D), as visualized data that would be beneficial to the warfighter's understanding of the battlespace. A cognitive task analysis was conducted using warfighting personnel from Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS), Joint Maritime Command Information System (JMCIS) instructors at Navy Technical Training Center, Corry Station, and participants at the "All Service Combat Identification and Evaluation Team, 1997" combat training exercise. Our task analysis found that a 3-D display could enhance situation awareness by providing a succinct, comprehensive, and readily discernable presentation of the common tactical picture. 3-D displays could aid tactical decisionmakers in three general cognitive/perceptual areas: (1) assessing the force structure of friends, neutrals, possible adversaries, and noncombatants, (2) anticipating possible future actions based upon capabilities, historical precedent, and current political climate, and (3) refining and rehearsing contingency plans based on an assessment of the possible threat. Our analysis examined these processes and determined that a 3-D display could provide enhancement in submarine and mine location/interdiction, amphibious assault/land support, and air warfare planning and execution. v CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... iii..