Lockheed Martin Interruption Technology Makes Debut on USS Sterett

CHERRY HILL, N.J: Lockheed Martin's Human Alerting and Interruption Logistics-Surface Ship (HAIL-SS) system has successfully transitioned from laboratory to platform as an integrated component on the newly commissioned USS Sterett DDG 104.

HAIL-SS increases a U.S. Navy warfighter's ability to handle high rates of alerts and interruptions without distraction, and it mediates between human users and various mechanisms that generate alerts in complex systems. It reduces rates of alerts through intelligent redirection and filtering, creates meaningful announcements of alerts, and leverages a human's cognitive talent to manage quick shifts in attention. HAIL-SS also provides context recovery to improve human performance when resuming tasks following interruption.

For the Aegis system, HAIL-SS enables workstation operators to quickly recognize and focus on critical alerts while simultaneously maintaining adequate situational awareness of high rates of other, less-important alerts. Operators can keep contact with critical information during high-volume, alert-based interruptions, such as those that occur during stressful combat conditions in an Aegis Combat Information Center.

HAIL-SS results from theory-based research conducted on human subjects between 1995-2000 at the U.S. Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence, Naval Research Laboratory. Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories led a diverse government-industry team from 2002-2004 to further develop and mature HAIL-SS under the Knowledge Superiority and Assurance, Future Naval Capability program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.

As builder of the Aegis weapon system, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) started production of HAIL-SS in 2004 and led its transition into the Fleet under the direction of the Aegis Program office.

As a reusable, open-architecture software component, HAIL-SS has many potential applications, including non-military. Lockheed Martin MS2 will look to transfer it into programs like the Ship Self-Defense System for Amphibious Assault Ships, Littoral Combat Ships, and aircraft carriers.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.