Atropine Effects on the Operation of the Tow Missile Launcher.
Abstract
The effects of one and two autoinjector equivalents of atropine sulfate (2 and 4 mg/70 kg im) were tested in eight volunteers, ages 22 to 39 yr. Drug effects on the volunteers were assessed on the basis of their ability to operate the Army's current infantry antitank weapon - the TOW missile launcher. Soldiers were required to optically track and manually maintain the cross hairs of the sights on a moving target vehicle 2 km away for 15 s under both daylight and simulated dusk/dawn conditions. Results indicate no significant impairment of tracking capability after a 2 mg/70 kg injection; however significant decrements were observed 150 min after a 4 mg/70kg injection under both light conditions. Keywords: Guided missile personnel; Human performance degradation; Optical tracking; Visual targets; Manual operation; Low light levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA183368
Entities
People
- David A. Stamper
- David M. Penetar
- Jerome W. Molchany
Organizations
- Letterman Army Hospital