Overview
Annual highlights from the Human Systems Col newsletter (August 2022) documenting accomplishments and activities across the DoD.
Major Events & Activities
NDIA Human Systems Conference (June 15-16, 2022)
- Location: George Mason University, Arlington VA
- Participants: 107 from government, industry, academia
- Keynote Speakers:
- HS Col Presentations: Overview by Dr. Patrick Mason; track presentations from sub-area leads covering Protection/Sustainment/Warfighter Performance, Personalized Assessment/Education/Training, System Interfaces/Cognitive Processes, plus new Advocacy/Metrics topic area.
Col Information Exchange with OSD (July 2022)
- Annual briefing to OSD S&T Executive Committee by Dr. Mason assessing technology investment portfolio and future opportunities.
OSD Seedling Proposal Data Call (June 2022)
- HS Col submitted "Operationalizing Brain Machine Interface to Enable Human Machine Teaming" proposal with lead from 711th HPW.
- Announcement expected August 23, 2022.
Col Annual Meeting (October 26-27, 2022)
- Hybrid event in Arlington VA
- Objectives: Review FY22 accomplishments, discuss FY23 strategy, engage stakeholders for collaboration opportunities
- Agenda included Steering Committee panel, service portfolio reviews, sub-area updates.
Program Accomplishments
Air Combat Command - ADAPTS Transition
Airman Data Analysis and Performance Tracking System (ADAPTS) beta development complete. ACC took full responsibility for operational use supporting Optimizing the Human Weapons System program, examining ROI on utilization, pilot human performance, and injury management.ONR Logan's Run Exercise (June 5-10, 2022)
Unscripted force-on-force experiment at Urban Training Center, Marine Corps Base Quantico exploring hierarchical autonomy-supported command structures for expeditionary human-machine teams in dynamic urban tactical environments. Participants included Dr(s). Kristy Hentchel, Tom McKenna, Jeff Morrison, CDR Jake Norris, Michael "Q" Qin, Peter Squire, plus OSD Test Resource Management Center data collection team.IOC Heat Monitoring Event (June 30, 2022)
ONR and Army research personnel monitored Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course locations, core body temperatures, and heart rates to support training school personnel in reducing heat casualties. Next step: four additional hikes at Quantico with feedback on setup and communication network.AFRL Grand Challenge - Engineered Probiotic
$1M, 1-year challenge won by MIT/Tufts/Synlogic Inc. team for "Probiotics for human performance sustainment and enhancement." Optimized probiotic produces molecule sustaining warfighter focus and fatigue resiliency in deployed environments; confirmed activity in state-of-the-art in vitro model; 5g product produced with scale-up optimization ongoing.Army SUPRA Team - 82nd Airborne Division
Fourth data collection event completed with four squads from 1-504th 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Devens, MA conducting Battle Drills ("Conduct a Squad Assault" and "Enter and Clear a Room") in instrumented Situational Training Exercise Lane and Shoot House. Plans for additional testing with 13 more squads in FY22-FY23.AFRL ADAPTS Transition to ACC
ADAPTS beta development complete; ACC now fully responsible for operational use supporting Optimizing the Human Weapons System program, examining ROI on utilization, pilot human performance, and injury management.Personnel Recognitions
- Dr. Robb Wilcox: Promoted to Chief Scientist at CCDCSC
- Drs. Tammy Chelette & Andy McKinley (711th HPW): Awarded Air Force Research Laboratory Fellows
Upcoming Events (2023)
- Independent R&D (IR&D) TIM with Industry: TBD 2023
- Roadmap Review with OUSD (R&E): TBD 2023
- NDIA Human Systems Conference March 2023 (Save the Date pending)