Unmanned Aerial System Operator Selection Tools Navy SBIR FY2013.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.1 Topic No.: N131-082 Topic Title: Unmanned Aerial System Operator Selection Tools Proposal No.: N131-082-0626 Firm: SA Technologies, Inc. 3750 Palladian Village Drive Building 600 Marietta, Georgia 30066 Contact: Sandro Scielzo Phone: (972) 636-8312 Web Site: www.satechnologies.com Abstract: Traditional selection and training practices are essential initial selection tools that show some general levels of predictive validity overall. However, current Navy selection tools are not good predictors of performance for Navy air system AVOs. In our targeted solution, we utilize proprietary methodologies that combine standard methods for selection and training of industry personnel, such as the training needs assessment and job analysis processes, with our job task inventory to goal directed task analysis mapping process. The results include a powerful linkage matrix product, which combines tasks characteristics (e.g., task difficulty, severity, importance, frequency, etc.) with knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs). In turn, this linkage matrix is resourced to identify and develop selection criteria that are expected to be predictive of performance. The primary objective of our selection tool is to screen for applicants that do not meet minimum baseline performance on dimensions that are hard or impossible to train, such as innate aptitudes, predispositions, and other individual antecedents or precursors. Furthermore, our approach is also aimed at maximizing retention from the pool of applicants while also very effectively screening out those applicants that do not meet baseline performance on critical non-trainable KSAOs. Benefits: There are many benefits for STASO to be adopted across DoD and other Federal agencies and commercial entities that employ UxVs. Two facets of STASO will be of interest to these organizations: (1) the ability to predict who will be successful in controlling UxV in operational environments, and (2) the utilization of this data to easily delineate training recommendations for improving trainable KSAOs. Both of these facets are critical to organizations that utilize UxVs in operations. The time and costs savings that will be gained from the employment of STASO will provide a significant benefit to companies utilizing the tool. Given the multi-dimensional appeal of STASO, we expect to market not only the selection aspect of the tool as developed in this effort, but also to provide consulting services to develop training programs specific to the needs of customers for various DoD branches, emergency responders, transportation, and the logging industry. Direct marketing of STASO to relevant industry is expected to result in significant revenues over the next 5 years. Furthermore, additional significant revenue is expected to be generated from developing training programs based on the research conducted during the development of STASO. Return