The effect of communication modality and presence of feedback in Command and Control environments

Efficient and effective communication between operators in a Command and Control (C2) environment is essential to mission success. Modern technology affords several communication options. The current study evaluates three of these options: voice, handwritten, and electronic chat. Participants monitored a large display depicting the flights of three UAVs, while simultaneously tracking, on a separate smaller screen, the status of critical performance parameters of the UAVs. Using one of three methods participants communicated key events to a secondary operator. For half the trials, the secondary operator provided feedback (confirmation or request for clarification); for the other half no feedback was given. Performance times, accuracy, and subjective workload data were collected. User preference and familiarity with each form of communication was also evaluated. Initial results indicate a time and accuracy advantage for voice, with feedback providing a speed-accuracy tradeoff. Participant preference was evenly divided in terms of communication technique and presence of feedback.