High Mobility Driver Performance Analysis

The Combat Vehicles Technology Programs High Mobility Agility HIMAG Vehicle Chassis Tests, conducted in 1978 and 1979, provided an opportunity to explore the prediction of human performance requirements and the implications of high mobility tracked vehicle design for driver performance. Preliminary analysis and projections, based upon the vehicle concept during construction, were compared with data gathered during driver training and 20 km testing. Results supported the general hypothesis that cross-country driving on the higher horsepower per ton vehicles was significantly different from the same task on the M60A1 or M113. Course speeds, driver throttle use, driver errors and critical incidents showed a differential pattern on HIMAG trials. Human factors and human engineering design deficiencies in the driver compartment, some of which were predicted in preliminary analysis and training but were not resolved, probably limited HIMAG speed and maneuver.