Eye-gaze tracker as input modality for military aviation environment

Military fast jets use interactive Multi-Function Display(s)(MFD) for mission control tasks along with head up and head mounted displays. Target Designation Control (TDC), which is like a joystick, is used for pointing and selection with the MFD and head mounted display while the Head Up Display (HUD) only displays information. Touch screen interaction methods are proposed for MFDs but may be difficult to access as the pilot needs both his/her hands in throttle and flight-stick respectively. The current study proposes using eye-gaze as an input modality. The mean selection time for Eye-gaze, mean=2734ms was statistically significantly lower than the mean selection time for Joystick, mean=3972ms (Z=8.15, p<0.01) by Wilkinson Sign rank test. The Cognitive and Usability feedback also supports that Eye-gaze is a significant input modality for aviation environment.