![]() New systems are developed in a spiraling approach as more is learned about the system, design changes are proposed and evaluated. The most important advance in system design is the development of modeling and simulation methods to predict complex performance before prototypes are developed. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the perspectives of two UAV operators that helped to set the tone for the entire First Annual Human Factors of UAVs Workshop. The fact that operators have had first hand experience in operating UAVs provides a unique perspective to the problem of identifying the most pressing human factors issues. The experience of operators serves as a “user's account” of the issues and problems concerning the operation of UAVs. The involvement of UAV operators in the workshops was valuable in linking developers and human factors researchers in the improvement of UAV systems and operations – a practice that is too often implemented only after a system is deployed and the problems are found. An integral part of the event was the involvement of military UAV operators from the U.S. The Cognitive Engineering Research Institute's First Annual Human Factors of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Workshop, held on May 24–25, 2004 in Chandler Arizona, and Second Annual Human Factors of UAVs Workshop, held on May 25–26, 2005 in Mesa Arizona, brought to light many human factors issues regarding the technology and operation of UAVs. ![]() The value of UAVs is recognized by other nations as well who have active UAV programs including, but not limited to, Germany, England, China, France, Canada, South Africa, and Israel. ![]() Marines pinned down by sniper fire in Najaf, Iraq ( CNN, 2005). Another more recent example took place in August 2004 when a Predator UAV armed with Hellfire missiles, also controlled from Nellis AFB, rescued a group of U.S. military successes include a USAF Predator UAV operating in Iraq, but piloted by a team at Nellis AFB (now Creech AFB) in Las Vegas, Nevada, which successfully aided in finding Saddam Hussein ( Rogers, 2004). military deploys some form of UAV in their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The role of UAVs in the military has rapidly expanded over the years such that every branch of the U.S. Generally, ROVs are vehicles that do not carry human pilots or operators, but instead are controlled remotely with different degrees of autonomy on the part of the vehicle. UAVs or unmanned (or the more politically correct, “unpiloted” or “uninhabited”) Aerial Vehicles and the broader class of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have attracted much attention lately from the military, as well as the general public. It is this group that truly inspired the workshops and the book. Last but not least, we wish to thank ROV operators, those who have attended our workshops, those who we have come to know only through anecdotes, and those who we will never know. We also thank the many individuals including Leah Rowe, Jennifer Winner, Jamie Gorman, Preston Kiekel, Amanda Taylor, Dee Andrews, Pat Fitzgerald, Ben Schaub, Steve Shope, and Wink Bennett who provided their valuable time and energy to assist with the workshops and this book. ![]() Thanks also to the sponsors of these workshops who include the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, NASA, US Positioning, FAA, and Microanalysis and Design. We would also like to thank the attendees of our two workshops on human factors of UAVs who shared their insights and scientific accomplishments with us as well as for those from the development community who conveyed to us the constraints and needs of their community. The editors of this volume would like to thank the authors whose contributions to this area have broken new ground for human considerations in a system that is often mistaken as unmanned. ![]()
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