IV.Q.03. Performance Limits Models. Warfighting thermal performance status is characterized in this STO using multi-dimensional advances employing USARIEMs state-of-the-art thermal models and mannequin systems which makes available quantitative assessment of heat and vapor transfer properties of clothing and individual protective systems. The information offered by such efforts generate a complete set of tools for implementing physiological thermal predictive control strategies useful over wide thermal and high terrestrial environments. The specific goals are to: (1) biophysically quantify on both healthy and physically stressed soldiers the impact of protective clothing and other systems such as handwear, footwear, and high technology fiber material needed for operations in harsh environments; (2) develop and validate operational and thermoregulatory models to predict performance using integrated schemes employing new concepts and materials such as microclimate cooling, enhanced chemical protective clothing, and cold weather clothing systems; (3) to exploit the broad spatial coverage of weather satellite data resources to provide environmental inputs to thermal strain prediction models and incorporate recent advances in satellite data collection and image processing technologies needed for the Warfighter. By FY96, develop and validate a microclimate cooling model for concept support of the 21st Century Land Warrior, and develop and validate models to predict performance degradation and injury due to cold-air exposure. By FY97, develop a statistical model of rifle marksmanship as affected by environmental (heat and cold) and operational stressors (fatigue and food/water deprivation). By FY 98, complete the integration of real-time satellite-derived weather data into thermal strain decision aids for battlefield commanders.
|STO Manager:||TSO:||TRADOC POC:|
|Dr. Fred Hegge||MAJ Mark Seymour||LTC Dunham|