<p>A study of communication content, frequency and problems was performed at the Swedish Air Force Air Combat Simulation Centre, FLSC. The purpose was to investigate the connection between team communication and performance variables, to study communication problems during air combat and to employ and develop the PILOT method of communication problem analysis. Ten fighter pilots and four fighter controllers engaged in simulated air combat beyond visual range in teams on two sides, Blue and Red, with four pilots and one fighter controller each. Eight such training runs lasting 15 to 25 minutes were analyzed with regard to the Blue team’s communication during launch situations, i.e. one minute before launching a missile to either missile impact of failure, and problems during whole runs. The performance of the Blue team was rated by an experienced training instructor in six of the runs. It was hypothesized that positive outcomes would be associated with high communication frequencies but low communication problem rates. Results showed that high utterance frequencies were positively associated with positive global outcomes, i.e. wins, but not associated with high instructor ratings or launching hitting missiles. Incoherent results were found for communication problems. The results were discussed and further research suggested.</p>

A study of communication content, frequency and problems was performed at the Swedish Air Force Air Combat Simulation Centre, FLSC. The purpose was to investigate the connection between team communication and performance variables, to study communication problems during air combat and to employ and develop the PILOT method of communication problem analysis. Ten fighter pilots and four fighter controllers engaged in simulated air combat beyond visual range in teams on two sides, Blue and Red, with four pilots and one fighter controller each. Eight such training runs lasting 15 to 25 minutes were analyzed with regard to the Blue team’s communication during launch situations, i.e. one minute before launching a missile to either missile impact of failure, and problems during whole runs. The performance of the Blue team was rated by an experienced training instructor in six of the runs. It was hypothesized that positive outcomes would be associated with high communication frequencies but low communication problem rates. Results showed that high utterance frequencies were positively associated with positive global outcomes, i.e. wins, but not associated with high instructor ratings or launching hitting missiles. Incoherent results were found for communication problems. The results were discussed and further research suggested.