Heat Stress Evaluation of Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Air Warrior Concept 1 and 3 Aviator Ensembles in a UH-60 Simulator.
Abstract
This aviator heat stress study used a mixed between/within test subject design with one environmental condition (hot) and three rotary-wing MOPP4 ensembles (Special Operations Aviation Regiment SOAR), Air Warrior Concept 1, and Air Warrior Concept 3) encumbered with ballistic protection and over-water survival components. The SOAR ensemble was tested with (SC) and without (SX) microclimate cooling (MCC) consisting of a water-cooled undershirt with portable refrigerator/pump. Air Warrior Concept 1 and Concept 3 aviator MOPP4 ensembles were tested with (AC) and without (AX) MCC, respectively. Physiological and subjective data were obtained to compare thermoregulatory responses and quantitate the benefits of microclimate cooling. Test sessions consisted of a 20-minute treadmill walk in a heated (100 deg F and 20 percent relative humidity RH) environmental chamber to stimulate outdoor preflight activities, followed by three 2-hour sorties in a research UH-60 simulator with cockpit conditions set at 1000F and 50 percent RH (90 deg F wet-bulb globe temperature WBGT).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA361526
Entities
People
- Beth Frazer
- Lawrence Katz
- Matthew J. Reardon
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab