A realistic simulation of human decision making behaviour

A description is given of a two-year-project to build a realistic computer model of a human decision maker in naval combat situations. The area of focus is anti air warfare (AAW). The threat from air attack poses one of the greatest risks to ship safety. The approach of the study is to focus on an individual within the AAW team and create a computer model to be integrated with the existing combat model. The individual being modelled is the anti air warfare officer (AAWO), the senior air defence officer on the Royal Navy Type 42 Destroyer. The Type 42 is the primary air defence ship in the Royal Navy. The decision making model is an enhancement of an existing combat model, and is to be used for equipment effectiveness, tactical procedures and command and control studies. Previously, in such combat models, the role of the human decision maker has had to be simplified or ignored, yet he may be the greatest source of variability or uncertainty. This project is attempting to redress this imbalance