Development of a Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Test of M1 Gunnery Proficiency

Development of a Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Test of M1 Gunnery Proficiency
Author: R. G. Hoffman
Publisher:
Total Pages: 72
Release: 1989
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ISBN:

A test of M1 gunnery proficiency based on content analysis of Tank Table VIII engagement parameters was prepared for the Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT). The test is composed of four U-COFT exercises comprising 23 different moving (offensive) and stationary (defensive) engagements against both moving and stationary, single and multiple targets. Special instructions were developed for U-COFT Instructors/Operators. Hit rate was identified as the most appropriate composite measure of gunnery performance. Instructions were prepared for calculating hit rate for each engagement in the test and for calculating hit rate for the test as a whole. Additional measures were identified for supplementary analyses of performance. These include firing rate, hit probability, average opening time, average miss distance, and average numbers of classification and system management errors. Use of this test should facilitate our ability to integrate research in tank gunnery and thereby increase our understanding of performance requirements in tank gunnery. (KR).

The Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) as a Medium for Assessing Gunner Proficiency: Test Reliability and Utility

The Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) as a Medium for Assessing Gunner Proficiency: Test Reliability and Utility
Author: Scott E. Graham
Publisher:
Total Pages: 23
Release: 1986
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A device-mediated M1 tank gunnery test was developed for administration on the Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT). The purpose of the research was to examine the reliability of the test, and to assess the utility of the test for estimating gunners' proficiency independently of the Tank Commander's (TC) contribution. The reliability of six of nine U-COFT measures exceeded .70. The Gunners' hit rates were found to be heavily influenced by the TCs' performance, including the TCs' ability to train. The results show that the TC performance must be stabilized if the U-COFT tests are to be used to assess Gunners' performance alone. Recommendations were made as to how the U-COFT could be efficiently used in units as a training and testing device.

The Effects of Amount of Ml Unit Conduct-of-Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Transition Training on Crew Gunnery Proficiency

The Effects of Amount of Ml Unit Conduct-of-Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Transition Training on Crew Gunnery Proficiency
Author: David A. Campshure
Publisher:
Total Pages: 60
Release: 1990
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ISBN:

This research examined the effects of three types of variables on crew M1 Unit Conduct-of-Fire (U-COFT) gunnery proficiency during transition training: time spent training on the M1 U-COFT, soldier-based variables (e.g., time with partner, time in armor), and training-based variables (e.g., classroom hours, time spent on the M60A3 U-COFT). The reliability of the gunnery proficiency test was also assessed. Three groups of TC-gunner teams were tested after having completed 3, 6, or 9 hours of transition training on the M1 U-COFT. Time spent on the U-COFT resulted in improved gunnery performance on only one of seven criterion measures--average miss distance. Since this was the most sensitive measure of gunnery performance, the results suggest that learning may have taken place despite the failure to detect performance improvements on six of the seven criterion measures. Although the three groups differed significantly on a number of training-based variables, only the number of exercises completed in the TC training matrix had an effect on any of the performance measures. The reliability of all of the criterion measures exceeded 0.50, with the reliability of two measures exceeding 0.70. (sdw).

Review of the M1 Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Validation and Verification Test Report

Review of the M1 Unit-Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Validation and Verification Test Report
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 29
Release: 1985
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The reviewers concluded that: (1) Deficiency identification was conducted in a logical, systematic manner; and resulted in useful hardware and software improvements; (2) Thirty hours of U-COFT sustainment training produced substantial average gains in the proficiency of a test group comprising five TC- gunner pairs; (3) Forty hours of U-COFT transition training with another five TC-gunner pairs produced average exit-level scores equal to or greater than those obtained by the sustainment pairs. Proficiency gains for the transition group, while probably substantial, could not be estimated accurately, because entry-level proficiency scores were not obtained; (4) Proficiency gains in target-acquisition time on the U-COFT were underestimated by at least one-third in the V/V report; (5) Substantial gains were found in percents of targets acquired, engaged, hit, and killed by the sustainment and transition groups. The gains resulted from improvements in acquisition time, engagement time, and first round hits, which in turn allowed time to scan, acquire, and engage available second and third targets; and (6) Nine hours of U-COFT training and testing produced statistically significant improvements between pretest and posttest scores of eight Canadian Armor Trophy (CAT) TC-gunner pairs on several measures of gunnery proficiency.

Training Materials and Data Requirements for Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Training Test Support Plan

Training Materials and Data Requirements for Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer (U-COFT) Training Test Support Plan
Author: Charlotte H. Campbell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 161
Release: 1980
Genre:
ISBN:

Recognizing both the potential benefits and the potential risks associated with the use of training devices and simulators as adjuncts and substitutes for operational equipment, the Army has evolved a multi-tiered assessment policy, in which plans and devices are evaluated at successive phases of development, from concept evaluation to operational testing. The material presented in this training TSP for the XM1 UCOFT was developed in response to the test concept for OT II to answer three of the operational issues asked in the IEP for the UCOFT. These answers will be used in the decision to continue into the production stage of the UCOFT and to select a production source. The three operational issues are: The training effectiveness of each of the three XM1 training alternatives in sustaining gunnery proficiency of XM1 Gunners and Commanders; The transfer effectiveness of the three XM1 training alternatives in sustaining gunnery proficiency of XM1 Gunners and Commanders; and the training resources required for each of the three XM1 training alternatives. (Author).