Cross-task cue utilization in uncrewed aerial vehicle operations

This study was designed to examine whether cross-task cue utilization distinguishes performance during initial Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations. UAV operators, such as remote pilots and sensor/payload operators, are required to contend with a limited range of sensory cues for operating the vehicle compared to conventional aviation. After completing familiarization training on a high-fidelity UAV simulator designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, 60 participants completed four, 10-min target detection tasks in the role of both the remote pilot and sensor operator. Participants with a greater generalized capacity to recognize and respond to cues demonstrated shorter initial target acquisition times, higher levels of payload work efficiency, and reported lower levels of cognitive load for some tasks. The results suggested that a generalized propensity to use cues provided an incremental performance advantage in specific types of naturalistic visual search and target detection tasks controlling statistically for spatial aptitude, working memory capacity and video game experience. • Cue utilization in one task relates to performance in other tasks. • Cross-task cue utilization may provide a tool for personnel selection. • Cross-task cue utilization differentiated performance using an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle. • Higher cue utilization is associated with improved search and target detection.