Current battlefield doctrine indicates that Army aviators must be prepared to engage in sustained operations against enemy forces. Fighting around the clock creates a tactical advantage because of the continuous strain that is placed upon enemy forces. However, this strategy can backfire if there are insufficient U.S. personnel to adequately staff the day and night shifts with well-rested crews. Fatigue produces slow and inaccurate performance, errors of omission, and deteriorations in mood and motivation. In some situations where adequate sleep is not possible, the administration of stimulants is the only effective countermeasure for sleep loss. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of prophylactic Dexedrine administration for maintenance flight performance in sleep deprived helicopter pilots. Ten UH-60 pilots were exposed to two 40-hour periods of continuous wakefulness in 1 week of testing. During both periods, subjects completed flight in a specially-instrumented UH-60 helicopter, as well as electroencephalographic, cognitive, and mood tests. During one of the deprivation periods, the subjects were administered a 10-mg dose of Dexedrine.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    In-Flight Investigation of the Efficacy of Dextroamphetamine for the Sustainment of Helicopter Pilot Performance


    Contributors:
    J. A. Caldwell (author) / J. L. Caldwell (author) / J. A. Lewis (author) / H. D. Jones (author) / M. J. Reardon (author)

    Publication date :

    1996


    Size :

    66 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Effects of Dextroamphetamine on Helicopter Pilot Performance: A UH-60 Simulator Study

    J. A. Caldwell / J. L. Caldwell / J. S. Crowley et al. | NTIS | 1994


    The Sustainment of Helicopter Pilot Performance with Dexedrine During Continuous Operations

    Caldwell, J. A. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995



    Helicopter Pilot Performance for Discrete-maneuver Flight Tasks

    Heffley, R. K. / Bourne, S. M. / Hindson, W. S. | NTRS | 1984