Attentional allocation in simulated aerial engagement: an ERP and eye-tracking study

Aerial engagement is critical for seising air superiority and operations outcomes, yet pilots’ attentional allocation in such tasks remains poorly understood. This study used ERP and eye-tracking measures to investigate attentional allocation in 44 pilots during 1v1 simulated aerial engagements. ERP data were analysed using spatiotemporal cluster-based permutation tests; eye-tracking measures were compared using one-way ANOVA. An event-wise significant winner–loser ERP difference was found following the Enemy Tracking event, characterised by a right frontal P3a in winners, with losers showing the opposite polarity (161–317 ms, p = 0.046). Winners also exhibited smaller pupil diameter, higher fixation proportion, and higher AOI hit rate. These findings suggest the Enemy Tracking event is a critical attentional window, where attentional allocation and behavioural responses – reflected in distinct right frontal processing modes – are closely associated with engagement outcomes. This may inform targeted training interventions and neuroergonomic assessment tools to enhance attentional efficiency.