Guidelines for the Use of Color in SUBACS (Submarine Advanced Combat System) A Displays

Preliminary guidelines for the implementation of color in Submarine Advanced Combat System SUBACS displays have been formulated based on the human factors literature and examples of color coding in existing displays. This allows absolute identification of color with a minimum period of learning. The coding scheme conforms with the cultural convention of associating green or blue with normal operating conditions, yellow with a cautionary state, and red with threat or danger. It was recommended that blue not be used for alphanumerics to avoid the loss of acuity that often results. The use of dim white lighting with color CRTs was recommended and reasons supplied for its advantages over the other possibilities. Originator-supplied keywords include Sonar displays, and Visual displays.