Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Vehicle Crew Selection: An Overview.

Abstract : This report provides an overview of the research conducted at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory (NAMRL) to improve Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) crew selection. The report includes background information, crew task analysis procedures, identification of critical skills, and the development of selection tests. In addition, the report provides a description of the test battery, the prediction algorithm, and initial results of the selection system for certain crew members. Prior to the implementation of the selection system, the attrition rate for operators and engineers was unacceptably high, ranging from 35 to 41%. To date, the attrition rate for operators and engineers has declined dramatically to approximately 15% with the use of the LCAC Selection System (LCSS). The LCSS proved to be a cost-effective method of reducing the high costs associated with training attrition and equipment loss. Additionally, the report describes current activities and presents direction for future research. A list of publications related to the LCAC program is also included.