Alion To Support USAF Human Systems Integration

C-17 Simulator
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Alion Science and Technology received a $5 million task order to support the U.S. Air Force 711th Human Performance Wing’s Human Performance Integration Directorate for the evaluation of human performance factors on Air Force weapon systems.

The work, which falls under the Alion-operated Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center (MSIAC) contract (N61339-03-D-0300), includes analyzing human performance on weapon system ability and readiness through the USAF’s Human Systems Integration (HSI) program. HSI takes a human-centric approach to system design and acquisition to reduce lifecycle costs and optimize system performance. Alion’s work will help the Air Force measure performance and improve weapon systems.

Under the task order, Alion will provide HSI expertise, human performance modeling, systems engineering and analysis of human-machine interfaces. This will ensure that the airman is an integral part of weapon system design, integration, operation and performance.

HSI [PDF] is an effort to make human considerations a top priority in weapon systems design. It is a process to ensure systems are designed and developed to enhance combat capability and integrate that capability with human capabilities and limitations. The HSI process considers the interdependent multi-discipline aspects of the following areas in designing weapons: manpower, personnel, training, human factors engineering, environment, safety, occupational health, survivability, and habitability.

Air Force systems that have benefited from the HSI program include: F-15E Strike Eagle, C-17 Globemaster 3, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and CV-22 Osprey.

The period of the task order performance runs through May 2011. The work is sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center.