Drone Operator Workload Analysis for Integration onto a Naval Vessel

Bostock, Nicholas; Wickramasuriya, Maneesha; Webster-Giddings, Allison; Costello, Donald · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/s10846-025-02252-1

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Summary

This paper addresses the lack of data on drone operator workload when operating uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in the unsteady air wake behind naval vessels. As the U.S. Navy plans to expand its UAS footprint, understanding how operators manage these vehicles in the turbulent environment of a ship’s superstructure is critical for safe integration. The study utilizes a modified 108-foot Yard Patrol Craft (YP 689) at the U.S. Naval Academy, which simulates a guided missile destroyer’s flight deck, to conduct flight tests with a custom-built X8 octocopter. The research aims to analyze operator workload across different approach paths and wind conditions to provide metrics for approving drone operations similar to those used for crewed aircraft. The experimental design involved ten underway test periods, each comprising two data collection flights with roughly ten approaches to the landing zone. The tests evaluated three distinct approach paths: the U.S. Navy standard (aft quarter), the Royal Navy standard (parallel then translate), and a direct aft approach, under varying headwind conditions ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 times the ship’s speed. The octocopter was instrumented with microanemometers, accelerometers, and GPS sensors to capture local airflow and vehicle dynamics. Operator workload was quantified using a modified Cooper-Harper Handling Qualities Rating Scale (HQRS), where the operator subjectively rated their compensation level from 1 to 10. Additionally, the study employed a novel angular phase space visualization method to analyze the dynamical history of the sUAS, plotting angular velocity magnitude against relative angular difference to identify areas of high operational difficulty. Results indicated that while the sUAS experienced significant turbulence near the flight deck threshold, there was no statistically significant difference in operator workload between the three tested approach paths. The primary driver of increased workload was wind speed rather than the specific approach geometry; for instance, at 0.6W relative wind speeds, workload ratings escalated to 4 when wind direction was greater than 30 degrees, primarily due to inconsistent lateral translations from gusts. The angular phase space analysis revealed that while turbulence onset varied by approach path (gradual for direct aft, sharp for RN/USN standards), the overall handling difficulty remained comparable. The authors note that the traditional Cooper-Harper scale may be insufficient for highly automated UAS, as it fails to capture the nuances of operator workload when flight computers offload control tasks, such as in altitude hold mode. The significance of this research lies in its proposal of a new evaluation method for uncrewed shipboard airworthiness certification. By demonstrating that standard DI test techniques do not reveal major differences between approach paths, the study suggests that risk reduction strategies must account for the specific limitations of current workload assessment tools in automated systems. The findings provide a baseline for future policy decisions regarding UAS integration on naval vessels, highlighting the need for quantitative metrics that better reflect the operator’s experience in unsteady maritime flows, particularly as the Navy moves toward greater reliance on uncrewed systems for maritime operations.

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• workload measurement