Human Performance Training and Education (HPT&E)
Human Performance Training and Education Thrust Area
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Human Performance Training and Education (HPT&E) thrust seeks to develop, evaluate and deliver scientifically proven methodologies and technologies that enable the cognitive and physical superiority of Marines. This thrust seeks to develop technologies, architectures and systems that accelerate the training at the individual and team level by enhancing physical and cognitive preparedness. Efforts are focused on providing tools, technologies and methodologies to support the overall goal of either the physical or cognitive technology areas of investment by advancing the delivery of their science into systems for use by the warfighter.
In the area of physical performance, ONR's HPT&E thrust is focused on technologies that provide protection against disease and injury as well as greater resilience and optimized physical and physiological performance across the spectrum of conflict at both individual and team levels. This technology area of investment includes:
- Warfighter Physiology: Conducting assessments of the physiological impact of extended full-spectrum conflicts in order to develop methods for mitigating the physiological decline inherent to these types of operations
- Physical Preparedness: Pursuing technologies and methodologies for improving and sustaining the warfighter's physical readiness
In the area of cognitive performance, HPT&E's thrust is concentrated on developing human performance training technologies that can train warriors faster and to a higher standard, and resulting in increased retention. It also pursues technologies that improve the ability of Marines to perform cognitively demanding mission-specific tasks, including.
- Adaptive (Dynamic) Learning: Assessing the development of the trainee’s cognition and behavior in real time in order to adapt the training environment to the individual and team
- Advanced Language Learning: Expanding ONR's understanding of how the brain develops during language learning in order to leverage this knowledge to create better training methods, enhanced skill retention and to incorporate socioeconomic knowledge
- Experiential Learning: Developing first-person immersive training that can provide the visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimuli of a complex battlefield within all spectrum of warfare, including culturally realistic, reactive, dynamic and synthetic entities that allow realistic interaction with civilians and opposing forces.
- Perception/Perceptuomotor: Developing tactically relevant perceptual skills and control interfaces in order to enhance situational awareness
HPT&E Science and Technology Challenges
Enhanced Physical Readiness
- Safe and effective nutritional supplements/compounds that enhance physical performance, delay fatigue and improve rates of recovery in hot, cold and high-altitude environments
- Physical training strategies that achieve peak physical conditioning while minimizing risk of injury
- Physical training strategies that support sustainment of physical conditioning and reduce risk of musculoskeletal injury during deployment
Mental Resilience and Cognitive Agility
- Understanding the nature of, and developing methods for, building stress resistance, mental resilience and cognitive flexibility
- Scientifically valid behavioral stress coping strategies
Expertise Development
- Software architectures for scenario selection and instructional feedback
- Objective, automated performance assessment and learning metrics suitable for live, mixed and virtual simulation based training
- Enhanced knowledge elicitation methods and systems to facilitate timely incorporation into pre-deployment training
The Expeditionary Maneuver and Combating Terrorism Department welcomes innovative ideas and white papers in response to the ONR long-range broad agency announcement.
Download the HPT&E Thrust area's Willful Intent slides.
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