Information Processing Load of Graphic versus Alphanumeric Weapon Format Displays for Advanced Fighter Cockpits.

Twenty-four highly experienced fighter pilots were used to ascertain the relative performance effectiveness of three display format types evaluated in the context of CRT weapons displays used in advanced fighter cockpits. The formats considered were alphanumeric, which used complete words and numbers black-and-white graphics, which used a pictorial example of the aircraft and bomb load status and color graphics, which also used pictorial representation but added color-coding. Color graphics formats were superior to alphanumeric and black-and-white formats when, a short exposure durations were used, b complex questions were used, and c questions were presented after the subject viewed the display presentation. Overall results indicate that in combat environments that produce high levels of workload on a pilot, color-coding is superior to other coding formats in the presentation of weapons status information.