Analysis of Design Approach for Navy Weapon System Operation Environment

This study is a preparation phase for visualization of utilized information using ergonomic user interface and standardization of elements for anti-air weapon system. Therefore, we investigated the instances of Navy Weapon System operation environment for defense advanced country. Based on the collected data, we compared and analyzed the weapon system operation environment design. Ultimately, it is essential to share a variety of battle field conditions such as enemy threat, enemy/friendly information, terrain information that can be effectively recognized. In this paper, we conduct case study for ergonomically development of Operation Environment. It is expected that this research improves the situational awareness and reduces the operator’s task load.

• Navy Weapon System
• Situation Awareness
• Task Load
• Human Machine Interface (HMI)
• Ergonomics

1. Introduction

Modern warfare situation requires well-designed operation environment which is considering improvement of the operator’s mission capability [1] [2]. Therefore, we conducted research and analyzation for the several navy weapon system’s operation environment, for this it is needed to carry out design factors improving operator’s situation awareness and reduces the its task load [3].

We conducted case study for 6 navy weapon operation environment (US navy Aegis, Us navy LaWs, Artisan, US navy P3C, US navy P-8, Comandanti). From those weapon system we carried out common design factors (Radar screen, UI, Tactical map design, text information, Screen layout) [4].

2. Case Study

1) Case study for 6 kinds of Navy shown in Table 1;

2) Investigation on major Navy weapon system operation under several nation;

3) Screen displayed information, displaying method, number of screen, tactical situation information, the operation of the tactical map equipment;

4) Number of operators, operator’s position, hardware layout, operation environment.

2.1. US Navy Aegis

The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and now produced by Lockheed Martin. It uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.

At this weapon system shown in Figure 1, Position of radar screen mostly is displayed on the front of each operator. Its background color is usually black and dark blue. Also it uses black and white tactical map and the color coded text information for the user’s visibility. It uses keyboard and Analog Button as the interface.

2.2. US Navy LaWS

The LaWS is a directed-energy weapon developed by the United States Navy. The LaWS is a ship-defense system that has so far publicly engaged an unmanned aerial vehicle and a simulated small-boat attacker. LaWS uses an infrared beam from a solid-state laser array which can be tuned to high output to destroy the target or low output to warn or cripple the sensors of a target.

As shown in below Figure 2, the LaWs operation environment has three display screen. One of the screen is placed at the front of operator the others are placed at right and left. It uses the circle shape radar screen which is placed in right of the user. It shows color maps and text information. Also it has 2D tactical map.

2.3. Royal Navy Artisan

The Type 997 Artisan is a medium range air and surface surveillance 3D radar developed by BAE Systems. The Type 997 Artisan has a range of 200 km at 30 RPM and is reportedly capable of tracking more than 800 or 900 targets at once.

Table 1

Major Navy weapon system

Weapon System	Nation
US navy Aegis	United State
US navy LaWS	United State
Royal Navy Artisan	United Kingdom
US navy P3C	United State
US navy P-8	United State
Italy navy Comandanti	Italy

Figure 1

US navy Aegis Operation environment

Figure 2

US Navy LaWS operation environment

Figure 3

Royal Navy Artisan operation environment

At this weapon system as shown in above Figure 3, position of radar screen mostly is displayed on the front of each operator. Its background color is usually black and dark blue. Also it uses blue and white tactical map and the color coded text information for the user’s visibility. It uses the circle shape radar screen which is placed front of users. It shows color maps and text information. Also it has 2D tactical map. Operator’s interfaces are keyboard, buttons, and touch display panel.

2.4. US Navy P3C

P-3C patrol aircraft is also referred to as the Orion (Orion) as a four-shot turboprop anti-submarine patrol aircraft. It is developed by Lockheed martin at the late 1960s. It remodeled a large airliner so it has enough carrying capability for sensing device. Therefore it can operate various also it is equipped with frequency fluctuations (DIFAR) and Magnetic Anomaly Detection as the submarine detection device.

As shown in below Figure 4, it has rectangle radar screen which is placed front of the operator. Operator uses overhead interface (switch and buttons) also they has keyboard, control stick, and track ball to operate this weapon system. The tactical map is color coded.

2.5. US Navy P-8

The P-8 conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) role. This involves carrying torpedoes, depth charges, SLAM-ER missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and other weapons.

As shown in below Figure 5 and Figure 6, this operation environment has 2 display screen for each operator. Those screens are placed up and down. The operators are placed in a low in this environment. It uses the rectangle shape radar screen which is placed upper side of the user. It shows color maps and text information. Also it has 2.5D tactical map which is color coded as its geographical factors.

2.6. Italy Navy Comandanti

The ship’s main missions are long and medium-range patrol and the vessel carries fuel and stores for an endurance of ten days. The ship operates with a crew of 80 with eight officers. The overall length is 88.40 m and the full load displacement is 1520 t. The maximum sustained speed is over 25 kt and the ship has a range of 3500 nm [5].

Figure 4

US navy P3C operation environment

Figure 5

US navy P-8 operation environment

Figure 6

US navy P-8 operation environment

The screen layout of this ship’s operation environment formed with 4 rectangle screen. Those are placed in up and down to each user. The shape of radar screen is circle shape and it has Green back ground and white image information. At the center of screens it has outside camera to see target state.

3. Result

Radar screen which form is circular shape onto a quadrangle screen takes the largest proportion. Position of radar screen mostly is displayed on the front of each operator. Its color of background is usually dark color such as black, blue, indigo. Text information of radar screen is normally on its right side. Recent radar screen system has evolved into free-form with adapting its components to user’s convenience. Recent trend of radar screen is including Tactical map into its components. Previous trend is using 2D color Tactical map. In the future warfare, it will need 2.5D Tactical map. Most of radar screens have 4 monitor up down left right side. The number of user will be 2 or 3, and their assignments are detecting radar screen, Management of arm and total control.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) under the Contract No. UD140066CD. The authors wish to express sincere gratitude for the financial support.

References

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5. Commandante Class Patrol Ships, Italy. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/commandante/