ABSTRACT
The US Army is developing combat vehicles that are smaller, lighter, more lethal, survivable, and more mobile to support the rapidly deployable forces of the Future Combat Systems (FCS). In support of this effort, the Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have developed the Crew-Integration and Automation Test-bed (CAT) Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) with the Vetronics Technology Testbed (VTT) vehicle. The purpose of the CAT-ATD is to demonstrate crew interface, automation, and integration technologies that are required to operate these future combat vehicles. Of interest to designers is the effect that the automation and crew station design have on the crew interaction and the resulting mental workload. The driver uses the system status screen to select the crew station for driving the vehicle, setting the drive controls, and monitoring the status of the vehicle equipment. Each crew received extensive one-week training in the VTT operations and then participated in a week-long demonstration of the vehicle.
