ENHANCING UAV OPERATIONS: INTEGRATING HUMAN FACTORS AND THE OODA LOOP FOR IMPROVED DECISION-MAKING

Abstract The increasing prevalence of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) across diverse sectors underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the decision-making processes that shape their operational conduct. This research examines the substantial impact of human factors, including cognitive workload, situational awareness, and human-machine interfaces, on the performance of UAV operators. By integrating these human elements with the “Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) decision-making cycle”, the study aims to identify strategies that can enhance the efficacy of UAV decision-making and optimize mission outcomes. The research underscores the complex interdependence between sophisticated technologies and human operators at each phase of the OODA loop, emphasizing the imperative for user-centered design, adaptive automation systems, and efficacious training protocols. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term effects of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation on operator performance, explore the potential of augmented reality and haptic feedback technologies, assess the ethical implications of increasing autonomy, and evaluate the efficacy of OODA-based training methods. The findings reinforce the importance of a comprehensive approach that integrates both technological innovations and human considerations within the OODA framework, which has the potential to greatly enhance the safety, efficiency, and efficacy of UAV operations across various fields and applications.