IMPACTS - A tool for the Improvement And Measurement of Perceptual, Attentional, and Critical Thinking Skills Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-062 Topic Title: IMPACTS - A tool for the Improvement And Measurement of Perceptual, Attentional, and Critical Thinking Skills Proposal No.: N081-062-0650 Firm: Aptima, Inc. 12 Gill Street Suite 1400 Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 Contact: Jared Freeman Phone: (202) 552-6116 Web Site: aptima.com Abstract: Attacks against patrols and convoys have become one of the defining characteristics of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with ambushes by snipers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) accounting for a large proportion of US casualties due to the difficulty of detecting these threats in a complex and foreign environment. This proposal respond to the problem by presenting a plan to develop IMPACTS, a comprehensive system for the Improvement And Measurement of Perceptual, Attentional, and Critical Thinking Skills. IMPACTS consists of several components, which provide capabilities such as anomaly detection training, decision support, team collaboration, and training content development. IMPACTS features several innovations in instructional technology to ensure efficient, accelerated learning. In Phase I, we focus on addressing several key enablers needed for system development, including acquisition of domain knowledge, development of methods and technologies for optimizing training in that domain, and identification of a suitable testbed for developing training materials and approaches. Benefits: Rapid threat detection combined with course of action planning and execution is an ever-increasing challenge that receives much attention from both military and public sector customers.To support their needs, IMPACTS will utilize advanced instructional technologies to deliver anomaly detection training to students and also evaluate their performance. Alternately, IMPACTS can be used as a screening tool. IMPACTS training will require only minimal instructor intervention, making it suitable for self-study and ongoing rehearsal as well as classroom use. Complementing IMPACT's training capabilities is a portable tool to support observational, analytical, and information-sharing activities during field operations. Return