Peculiarities of Psycho-Physiological Selection of Operators for Unmanned Aviation Systems

Abstract

World experience in operating unmanned aerial vehicle complexes of operational and tactical assignments showed that the most effective operator team consists of three specialists. First, it is the unmanned aerial vehicle pilot, the one who directly controls the flight. Secondly, the operator of the onboard objectives. He works with sensor systems of various spectral ranges – they serve to monitor the battlefield, search, detect and identify the objects of interest. The same operator makes the decision on aiming and launching weapons. Third, an intellectual support operator with experience in controlling unmanned aerial vehicles, who is competent in the technology of expert systems to assist the pilot and possesses a quick decision-making response.Since the errors related to the operator’s reliability can lead to the loss of unmanned aerial vehicle, we advise conducting a professional psycho-physiological selection of unmanned aviation systems personnel. Success in a real-world environment is impossible without good preparation. Therefore, the definition and prognosis of the candidate’s psycho-physiological state, his ability to the assimilation of necessary knowledge and skills are of great practical importance. Thus, the selection should be made not based on a static assessment of the candidate’s general and professional properties, but also on the basis of revealing the dynamics of development of a certain attribute and its tendency to improve during training and professional activity. We designed the three-stage technology of selection and training of UAV operators that provides a high level of unmanned aviation system specialists.