Evaluation and extension of the cognitive assistant system (COGAS) for user-oriented support of air target identification

Combat Information Centres (CIC) of German Navy ships are equipped with highly advanced command and control systems. Due to different task domains the command and control processes are characterized by a high complexity that might affect the operators´ workload and consequently the error rate in the workflow. In addition, the command and control systems, which are controlled with a high level of automation, do not provide complete reliability in complex conflict situations. Given the lack of competency and skills expected by demographic change and the suspension of compulsory military services, a computer based support of these command and control processes e.g. in the form of cognitive assistant systems seems advisable. Systems with cognitive capabilities have gained importance over the past 30 years. They can increasingly support complex work and decision processes. For the application of cognitive technologies in assistant systems it is important to design user oriented support functionalities and provide the compatibility between the human operator and the technical system. This paper describes the evaluation and examines the extension of a cognitive assistant system (COGAS) developed in a simulation study to support the air target identification on German navy ships.