Human Information Processing in the Dynamic Environment (HIPDE)

Flight in modern fighter aircraft often subject pilots to arduous acceleration profiles that can have traumatic consequences on their ability to perform certain cognitive tasks. The Human Information Processing in Dynamic Environments (HIPDE) program was developed to assess the extent of cognitive deficits during operationally relevant +Gz loading and provide a validated model of these effects for use in modeling, wargaming, and simulation. A total of 10 experiments were conducted to assess cognitive performance during Gz acceleration including tracking, motion inference, precision timing, peripheral information processing, relative motion, visual monitoring, short term memory, pitch-roll capture, unusual attitude recovery, situational awareness, and rapid decision making. Because each task involved multiple cognitive abilities, the results were weighted and summed across individual cognitive skills to assess the overall performance decrement. Overall, simple decision making, tracking, motion inference (fast and slow) and perception of speed are negatively affected. The findings were then compared to a model known as G-TOP to ensure its validity. Performed in cooperation with Biosciences and Protection Division, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), WRight-Patterson AFB, Ohio.