DON26BZ05-NV068 TITLE: Intelligent Tools for Naval Aircrew Performance and Readiness

OUSW (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI)

COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Human-Machine Interfaces

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)

OBJECTIVE: Research, develop, and demonstrate innovative methods for designing intelligent human performance systems to enhance Naval Aircrew readiness. These systems will track, predict, and mitigate cognitive, physical, and psychological vulnerabilities, serving as prehabilitation and protection tools. A key focus is to empower aeromedical officers with effective tools and programs to proactively support aircrew readiness.

DESCRIPTION: Modern Naval Aviation operations place significant cognitive, physical, and psychological demands on aircrew tasked with operating sophisticated, highly integrated aircraft. While advanced training simulations exist, they often rely on static assessments or subjective observations, lacking the dynamic, predictive, and personalized capabilities needed to optimize aircrew readiness, prevent human factors-related issues, and mitigate physical and psychological injuries. Challenges such as cognitive overload, spatial disorientation, cognitive tunneling, fatigue, musculoskeletal injuries from prolonged vibration, and burnout—highlighted by recent research on helicopter aircrew—pose significant risks to mission success and safety, particularly in contested or degraded environments.

This topic seeks to develop an intelligent human performance system as a critical prehabilitation and protection tool, designed to augment and empower aeromedical officers in proactively managing aircrew readiness and well-being. The system will move beyond reactive responses to support aeromedical officers in optimizing aircrew performance through the following capabilities:

1. Proactive Performance Monitoring and Prediction:

Leverage intelligent tools to continuously assess aircrew cognitive state, physical performance, and psychological response using physiological sensors, eye-tracking, performance metrics, voice analysis, and validated self-reported measures (e.g., Military Readiness Scale - MRS-15). Predict potential vulnerabilities based on historical data and real-time inputs, providing actionable insights for aeromedical officers to inform interventions.

2. Personalized Insights and Recommendations:

Provide data-driven insights tailored to individual strengths, weaknesses, and predicted vulnerabilities. Aeromedical officers can use these insights to recommend personalized training protocols, prehabilitation exercises, cognitive conditioning, physical readiness programs, and psychological resilience strategies to mitigate fatigue, injury risk, and stress.

3. Human-System Vulnerability Identification:

Analyze interactions between aircrew and aircraft systems to identify human-system interface shortcomings or cognitive biases under specific conditions. This data will enable aeromedical officers to recommend improvements in aircraft design, cockpit ergonomics, and aircrew training methodologies, addressing readiness gaps and supporting proactive mitigations.

4. Trust Calibration through Data Transparency:

Provide transparent, objective data on aircrew performance and automated system behavior to foster appropriate levels of trust. Aeromedical officers can guide aircrew on when and how to rely on automation, preventing over-reliance or under-utilization, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

5. Building Resilience and Sustaining Readiness:

Utilize continuous feedback and predictive analytics to support mental fortitude, adaptability, and decision-making in high-stakes situations. The system will actively contribute to long-term aircrew readiness and operational lifespan under the guidance of aeromedical support teams.

Proposed solutions should focus on fundamental research into innovative tools for intelligent human performance monitoring and prediction, along with methods for rigorously evaluating their impact on aircrew cognitive function, physical responses, psychological state, and mission performance. Emphasis should be placed on a human-centric approach, ensuring actionable insights, alignment with aeromedical and clinical practice guidelines, and measurable, sustainable improvements in aircrew readiness as part of a comprehensive program.

PHASE I: Phase I will deliver a comprehensive feasibility study and preliminary design for intelligent tools aimed at Naval Aircrew performance and readiness. The proposed design must explicitly demonstrate its utility for aeromedical officers and include the following key elements:

1. Develop a detailed Concept of Operation (CONOPS) outlining the system's functional architecture, core intelligent system design (e.g., anomaly detection, predictive modeling), and data collection/analysis methods. The system must track, predict, and inform aircrew cognitive, physical, and psychological vulnerabilities to support expert review, intervention, and prevention.

2. Identify key Naval Aircrew performance metrics (e.g., flight/simulated flight performance, physiological responses, workload) and trust indicators that the system will monitor, predict, and influence for readiness assessment. This includes integration of established instruments such as the MRS-15.

3. Develop a proof-of-concept simulation or analytical model to demonstrate core data collection, analysis, and predictive capabilities. This demonstration should focus on a training pipeline or simplified flight/cockpit task and be presented to aeromedical officers and human performance experts (e.g., predicting disorientation from physiological cues).

4. Propose a methodology for evaluating system effectiveness in supporting aeromedical officers to improve Naval Aircrew performance, resilience, and readiness. This includes considerations for human subject safety, data privacy, ethical guidelines, and integration into existing Naval Aviation training and aeromedical review processes.

5. Design prototype user interfaces and data visualizations tailored for aeromedical officers. Ensure the system provides explainable insights and intervention rationale to maximize learning, protective benefits, and operational utility.

The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: The Phase II effort will deliver a prototype Intelligent Human Performance System designed as a deployed prehabilitation and protection tool for expert users, specifically aeromedical officers. Deliverables will include the following key components:

	Deliverable Description	Technical & Validation Metrics
1	Functional Prototype Development: Develop and test a fully functional prototype capable of robustly monitoring, predicting, and recommending interventions for Naval aircrew cognitive, physical, and psychological vulnerabilities during relevant aviation tasks.	• Emphasis on utility for aeromedical officers.  • Provide actionable insights for expert-led interventions.
2	Rigorous Validation Studies: Conduct rigorous validation studies to demonstrate measurable improvements in aircrew operational performance, including reduced errors, enhanced decision-making under stress, and improved resilience.	• Must demonstrate statistically significant improvements.  • Target a minimum 15% to 20% reduction in tactical/procedural errors under simulated stress.  • Demonstrate a 10% to 15% improvement in decision-making latency without degradation in accuracy.
3	Explainable AI Insights: Ensure the system generates explainable aircrew performance insights and provides actionable, personalized prehabilitation recommendations.	• Designed for expert review and delivery during or after training sessions.  • Must present clear physiological and psychological causal links to the aeromedical officer.
4	System Integration & Documentation: Provide comprehensive documentation of intelligent system algorithms, data requirements, and computational resources.	• Ensure seamless integration with physical/physiological sensors, aircraft systems, and training infrastructures.  • Enable scalable deployment within Naval Aviation training units.
5	Transition & Sustainment Plan: Develop a detailed transition plan for deploying the system to Naval Aviation flight training units, mission rehearsal systems, and human factors/human performance research facilities.	• Outline clear roles for aeromedical officers and other expert users in sustaining aircrew readiness.
6	Ethical, Safety, & Data Privacy Protocol: Provide recommendations for ethical guidelines, data security protocols, and psychological support measures to ensure safe and effective deployment of the system in high-stakes military human performance contexts.	• Measures must be developed under the direct purview of aeromedical professionals.  • Must include strict data anonymization/de-identification protocols to isolate and protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI).

Human Subjects Research (HSR) and Regulatory Compliance:

All Phase II work involving human subjects, human data, or physiological/psychological monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with 32 CFR Part 219, DoDI 3216.02 (Protection of Human Subjects and Adherence to Ethical Standards in DoD-Supported Research), and 10 U.S.C. 980 (Limitation on Use of Humans as Experimental Subjects).

• Approvals: The contractor shall comply with DFARS Clause 252.235-7004 (Protection of Human Subjects). Prior to initiating any human testing, validation studies, or participant recruitment, the contractor must obtain both local Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and subsequent secondary approval from the DoN Human Research Protection Official (HRPO).

• Proposal Structure: Offerors shall separate human-use research tasks from general technical/software development tasks within their Statement of Work (SOW) and cost proposals to prevent overall award delays.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The Phase III approach focuses on transitioning the prototype Intelligent Human Performance System developed in Phase II into operational use within Naval Aviation or other high-reliability organizations (HRO). This phase will emphasize scalability, integration into existing infrastructures, and commercialization opportunities to ensure widespread adoption and sustained impact on operator readiness. The system will be deployed as a prehabilitation and protection tool, empowering aeromedical officers or appropriate providers to proactively manage aircrew / operator performance and well-being.

Key Goals

1. Operational Deployment: Transition the system into active use within Naval Aviation training units, aeromedical facilities, and mission rehearsal systems and/or other appropriate HROs.

2. Scalability: Ensure the system can be scaled across multiple Naval Air Stations and training pipelines / other HROs.

3. Integration: Seamlessly integrate the system with existing Naval Aviation training infrastructures, physiological monitoring systems, and aeromedical review processes and/or other appropriate HRO processes.

4. Commercialization: Explore opportunities for broader adoption within other military branches, allied forces, and civilian aviation and/or HRO sectors.

Phase III Deliverables

1. Full System Deployment

• Production-Ready System: Deliver a fully operational version of the Intelligent Human Performance System, including:

o Advanced monitoring and prediction capabilities for cognitive, physical, and psychological vulnerabilities.

o Personalized insights and recommendations for aeromedical officers to deliver expert-led interventions.

o Integrated human-system vulnerability identification and mitigation tools.

• Deployment Locations: Implement the system at key Naval Air Stations (e.g., NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, NAS Corpus Christi) and training units and/or other identified HRO locations

2. Integration with existing Infrastructure

• Compatibility: Ensure seamless integration with the existing systems.

• Sensor Integration: Incorporate appropriate physiological sensors into the system for real-time data collection.

• Training Pipeline Integration: Embed the system into existing training pipelines, including mission rehearsal systems and flight simulators.

3. Expanded Functionality

• Advanced Analytics: Enhance predictive modeling capabilities to identify readiness gaps and optimize interventions.

• Performance Dashboard: Provide aeromedical officers with a comprehensive dashboard for tracking aircrew performance trends and outcomes.

• Scenario Customization: Enable instructors and aeromedical officers to design and modify training scenarios tailored to individual aircrew needs.

4. Validation and Certification

• Empirical Validation: Conduct large-scale validation studies to demonstrate measurable improvements in aircrew readiness, resilience, and operational performance.

• Authorization to Operate (ATO): Achieve ATO certification for deployment within Naval Aviation, ensuring compliance with NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) standards.

• Ethical and Security Guidelines: Finalize ethical guidelines and data security protocols for system use in high-stakes military contexts.

5. Commercialization Strategy

• Military Expansion: Explore opportunities to deploy the system across other branches of the military (e.g., Air Force, Army) and allied forces.

• Civilian Aviation Applications: Adapt the system for use in civilian aviation, focusing on pilot readiness and safety.

• Partnerships: Establish partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to support commercialization efforts.

This topic has significant potential to benefit the private sector, particularly in industries where human performance and safety are critical. The intelligent human performance system developed for Naval Aircrew can be adapted for use in civilian aviation, helping commercial pilots and air traffic controllers manage cognitive, physical, and psychological stressors to improve safety and operational efficiency. Secondary applications include:

1. Healthcare: The system's predictive analytics and physiological monitoring capabilities can be used in hospitals and clinics to track patient recovery, prevent burnout among healthcare workers, and optimize performance in high-pressure environments.

2. Emergency Response: Firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement personnel can benefit from tools that monitor and enhance readiness during high-risk operations.

3. Sports and Athletics: Professional athletes and coaches can use the system to track physical and cognitive performance, prevent injuries, and optimize training regimens.

REFERENCES:

1. Hernandez, L. M., Stone, M. S., Padilla, G. A., Barczak-scarboro, N. E., Kershaw, R. T., Gibbs, S. H., & Taylor, M. K. (2022). Naval Aircrew Working Group: recommendations for a forcewide aircrew readiness surveillance system.
2. Taylor, M. K., Venkatesh, A., Campbell, J. S., Heaton, K. J., Kershaw, R. T., Gibbs, S. H., & Hernández, L. M. (2025). Development and Validation of the Military Readiness Scale in US Naval Aircrew. Military Medicine, usaf193.
3. Study on Health of Helicopter and Tiltrotor Pilots. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 Conference Report, 114th Congress (2015-2016), S.2943, HR 114-840, Sec 750. Accessed March 4, 2025.
4. Gaydos SJ. Low back pain: considerations for rotary-wing aircrew. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012; 83(9):879-889. doi:10.3357/asem.3274.2012
5. Taylor, M. K., Venkatesh, A., Campbell, J. S., Heaton, K. J., Kershaw, R. T., Gibbs, S. H., & Hernández, L. M. (2025). Development and Validation of the Military Readiness Scale in US Naval Aircrew. Military Medicine, usaf193.
6. Hosseini SM, Hesam S, Hosseini SA. Burnout among military personnel: a systematic review. Iran J Psychiatry. 2023;18(2):213-236. doi:10.18502/ijps.v18i2.12371
7. Brenner, J. S., & Watson, A. (2024). Overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout in young athletes. Pediatrics, 153(2), e2023065129.

KEYWORDS: Naval Aircrew; Human Performance; Physiological Sensors; Predictive Analytics; Aeromedical Officers; Readiness Assessment

TPOC 1 : Lee Sciarini
(407) 415-0728
lee.w.sciarini.mil@us.navy.mil

TPOC 2 : Beth Atkinson
(407) 380-4773
beth.f.atkinson.civ@us.navy.mil