Presentation
Decision Compression and Alert Saturation in Combat UAV Operations During Active War Conditions in Ukraine
SessionWednesday Poster Session
DescriptionThis study examines cognitive overload, alert saturation, and decision compression in combat UAV operations during active war conditions in Ukraine. Operators in combat environments are exposed to simultaneous alerts, degraded communication links, electronic interference, rapid mission changes, and compressed response timelines. Under these conditions, human-system interaction becomes a critical determinant of operational stability and decision quality.
Using a qualitative field-informed methodology based on semi-structured interviews with UAV operators possessing recent combat deployment experience in Ukraine, the study identifies recurring operational patterns associated with cognitive strain and adaptive operator behavior. Findings include alert saturation under degraded-link conditions, interface inconsistency across UAV platforms, informal alert filtering behaviors, and the emergence of peer-based micro-protocols to compensate for ambiguity and information overload.
The findings highlight the importance of cognitive ergonomics, alert hierarchy design, workload management, and adaptive Ground Control Station (GCS) interface development in high-intensity combat environments. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how human-centered system design can improve operator performance and decision stability in modern UAV operations
Using a qualitative field-informed methodology based on semi-structured interviews with UAV operators possessing recent combat deployment experience in Ukraine, the study identifies recurring operational patterns associated with cognitive strain and adaptive operator behavior. Findings include alert saturation under degraded-link conditions, interface inconsistency across UAV platforms, informal alert filtering behaviors, and the emergence of peer-based micro-protocols to compensate for ambiguity and information overload.
The findings highlight the importance of cognitive ergonomics, alert hierarchy design, workload management, and adaptive Ground Control Station (GCS) interface development in high-intensity combat environments. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how human-centered system design can improve operator performance and decision stability in modern UAV operations
Event Type
Poster
TimeWednesday, October 21st5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Location
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