This study addresses the optimal design methodology for switching between active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating modes to easily select the necessary information to reduce pilots' cognitive load and physical workload in situations where diverse and complex information is continuously provided. This study presents a procedure for defining a hidden Markov chain model (HMM) for modeling operating mode changes based on time series data on the operating modes of the AESA radar used by pilots while performing mission scenarios with inherent uncertainty. Furthermore, based on a transition probability matrix (TPM) of the HMM, this study presents a mathematical programming model for proposing the optimal structural design of AESA radar operating modes considering the manipulation method of a hands on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS). Fighter pilots select and activate the menu key for an AESA radar operation mode by manipulating the HOTAS’s rotary and toggle controllers. Therefore, this study presents an optimization problem to propose the optimal structural design of the menu keys so that the pilot can easily change the menu keys to suit the operational environment. K