Mixed-initiative approaches in the Design of a trusted shift of Coordination Forms in Air Operations: Supporting Collaboration to handle Loyal Wingmen

Man-unmanned concepts, such as loyal wingman, have the potential to be important force-multiplications. However, man-unmanned teaming may require changes to command and control (C2) in general (e.g. the control with unmanned entities in the context of joint operations) and more detailed TTPs for AirC2 (such as procedures for the interaction between fighter pilots and unmanned entities). Two of the challenges is to achieve 1) trusted delegation to unmanned entities and 2) coordinated action among man and unmanned entities. This paper aim to establish a sound concept development trajectory. The trajectory will consist of oscillating between conceptual development, and empirical investigations feeding back to the conceptual development. We draw on the extant research on man-unmanned problems in cybernetics, human factors (human-in-the-loop) and organization science. Using these lines of inquiry, we develop models for describing and analyzing the man-unmanned problem in general, in order to:1)Understand man-unmanned teaming in the context of a proposed Norwegian loyal wingman concept (e.g. mixed-initiative, coactive design)2)Understand loyal wingman in a wider context of C2. (e.g. system-dynamic perspectives)3)Paying attention to and discussing 1 and 2 in light of the breadth of potential loyal wingman configurations (e.g. along dimensions such as size, range, speed, payload, sensors, effectors, autonomy and artificial intelligence capability, in a long and short term perspective etc.)While we do not describe the specifics of 1, 2 and 3 we discuss generically the variables and principles/theories to consider with respect to 1, 2 and 3.This conceptual development will then form the basis for empirical investigations, such as aided by tabletop discussion workshops, and data collection from simulated and live environments.