Cognitive Performance Decrement in U.S. Army Aircrews.

This study investigates the use of subjective estimates to assess the cognitive effects of intermediate doses of radiation on helicopter crew performance. A mission analysis was performed across several aircraft with scenarios developed for the CH-47 and AH-1 followed be detailed task analysis and classifications. Thirty-four CH-47 crews performed 9 tasks on a CH-47 simulator and their task times were measured. An analysis was made of the task times including a comparison of actual times against pilot estimates of times for each task. Pilot estimates of radiation effects were analyzed and methods for predicting such estimates are discussed. The primary study recommendation was for validation of questionnaire techniques for predicting radiation induced performance decrement. Keywords Radiation effects, Performance decrement, Radiation sickness, Helicopter tasks, Human performance, Time estimation, Task taxonomy.