SuperTroop via I-Port: Distributed Simulation Technology for Combat Development and Training Development

Abstract

This paper proposes research and development aimed at total encapsulation of an individual who fights on foot, predicated upon integrating a powered exoskeleton into his battle dress to augment load-bearing capability, a personal computer networked with those of fellow combatants, and full body protection against ballistic, chemical, thermal, and directed energy threats. Fielded first would be a simulation of the eventual battle dress--termed ST, for SuperTroop--which could give individual combatants a portal into Advanced Distributed Simulation--called I-Port. I-Port would then be used to explore the requirements for the exoskeleton, for the personal processor, for the integrated displays and control mechanisms, and for the protective and homeostatic subsystems. I-Port would also produce parametric data on the man-machine interface essential to proceeding with confidence into hardware design and construction. To test the utility of ST/I-Port, Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama is analyzed, with the conclusion that the availability of ST/I-Port equipment might have lowered operational costs and increased force effectiveness. A development program, with the DARPA in the lead, is described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA229037

Entities

People

  • Paul F. Gorman

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Employment
  • Health Services
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Penetrating Wounds
  • Personnel Management
  • Second World War
  • Three Dimensional
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft
  • Virtual Prototyping
  • Virtual Reality
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy