Assessing Performance of Awacs Command and Control Teams

Performance constructs are discussed within the context of complex and dynamic command and control (C2) team performance. Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) team members function in an information-rich environment, exchanging updates through an array of visual displays and communication channels. In combat, they face challenges of limited resources, ambiguous information, time pressure, and enemy interference. Subsequently, accurate assessment of communication, coordination, and decision making in AWACS teams can be difficult and time-consuming. Theoretical predictions arising from laboratory tasks must ultimately face the test of external validity using criterion measures of performance. This paper describes some of the challenges in developing criterion measures of performance and situation assessment within a dynamic and complex task requiring high expertise and teamwork. Results from two studies are briefly described.