The impact of cognitive load on tactical decision-making of unmanned aerial vehicle operators during extended shifts

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators face unique professional challenges arising from the combination of high cognitive load, prolonged vigilance, and the need for rapid tactical decision-making in dynamic operational environments. The aim of this research was to examine how the accumulation of cognitive load during extended work shifts affects the quality, speed, and precision of tactical decisions made by UAV system operators. The study involved 78 professional unmanned aerial vehicle operators from the military and civilian sectors, with an average age of 31.4 years and a minimum of three years of operational experience. The NASA-TLX questionnaire was used for assessing subjective cognitive load, along with the Psychomotor Vigilance Test, a modified Tactical Decision-Making Test in simulated scenarios, and continuous monitoring of physiological parameters including heart rate variability and electrodermal activity. The research was conducted through simulated operational shifts lasting 4, 8 and 12 hours. Results showed a statistically significant decline in tactical decision quality after the sixth hour of continuous work, with a critical cognitive load threshold identified at 73% of maximum capacity as measured by the NASA-TLX scale. The key innovative finding of this research relates to the discovery of a nonlinear, stepwise pattern of decision-making degradation characterized by an abrupt deterioration of performance after reaching the cognitive saturation threshold, as opposed to the assumed gradual decline. This finding has significant implications for designing operator rotation schedules, implementing real-time cognitive status monitoring systems, and developing protocols for preventing critical errors in unmanned aerial vehicle operations