The Effects of Weight and Length on the Portability of Antitank Systems for the Infantryman
Abstract
A field study was conducted to determine the effect of weight and length of an antitank system on the performance of an infantryman. A portability test course was designed and constructed. The ability of soldiers from the 82d Airborne Division to negotiate the course was measured and the soldiers' ratings of each of the systems they carried were obtained. Functional relationships between weight, length and performance were obtained with an indication of the effects of volume, i.e., multiple carry. The test soldiers were able to discriminate among the loads using the bipolar adjective rating technique, and for what appears to be a reluctance-to-carry factor, tended to rate the loads carried in a manner which parallels the performance findings. The infantryman's performance degrades and he is reluctant to carry 81mm antitank systems longer than 31 inches (at eight pounds) and heavier than eight pounds when added to his current fighting load.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0780046
Entities
People
- James P. Torre Jr.
Organizations
- Human Engineering Laboratory