Navigating through Frustrations : A User-Centered Approach to Enhancing Airborne Early Warning and Control System Operator Experience

Abstract: This master thesis focuses on enhancing the user interface experience for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system operators in a military context. Collaborating with Saab, a defense sector company, the study employs the research through design and a user-centered design approach to investigate user needs and how they interact with the interface. The research reveals that despite the unique nature of the defense industry, operators respond poorly to a difficult-to-use interface, leading to frustration and underutilization of functionalities. The study identifies contextual factors such as information overload, user interface design and personalization, task difficulty and lack of help systems, stress, and cognitive load. Through the development and testing of a new interface prototype, incorporating design feedback sessions and iterations, the thesis addresses these contextual demands. The findings highlight the significance of introducing user experience in military environments, where complex system engineering and functionality have been traditionally preferred over simplicity and usability.