From Page 17
(2) Very good. In an island-hopping vehicle like SALV, you probably won't
run into any hypoxic conditions.
However, it is best to be prepared for
this eventuality in any flying machine.
Also, if the SALV has submarine
capabilities, this condition would be a big consideration for your human
factors team.
Okay, let's assume that the SALV has been completely designed at this
point. Now, in addition to the SALV defense system, you are also involved
in the appropriate training of weapons system personnel.
Just this very
day, you've received a phone call from an agitated infantry field unit
commanding officer. It seems that the R&D team had developed a new small
rocket launcher.
The size and shape of the gun resembled an M-16 rifle.
However, this gun (the X-2001) was designed to shoot a small rocket at the
designated target.
To aid the gunner in sighting the rocket as it
approached the target, a small phosphorescent flare was attached to the back
of the rocket casing. When the rocket was launched, the gunner could track
its path by watching the flare. When the rocket approached the target zone,
the infantryman could press his detonate button and the mission would be
accomplished.
In effect, the marksman didn't have to actually hit the
target, just make sure his shot was within the appropriate range.
Well, the design team was highly pleased with the capability and
reliability of the weapon.
An on-site testing was arranged, and the
commanding officer selected his best marksmen to test the X-2001.
To
everyone's amazement and consternation, no targets were destroyed, even
though the testing session was repeated several times.
The R&D team maintained that the fault was not in the weapon itself;
it was balanced, perfectly aligned, and the ammunition was fine.
They
suggested that the problem was caused by the low level of expertise of the
marksmen, and a more sophisticated shooting team was brought in to prove
that point.
Again a testing session was arranged and again no hits.
Eventually, it was decided that increased training was required for the
X-2001 user population.
Somehow, different types and amounts of training
were required for the M-16 and the X-2001. It was at this point that the
commanding officer called you.
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