Assessment of Human Performance in a Simulated Rotorcraft Downwash Environment

Abstract

Operational Requirements Document (ORD) CAF 315-97-B calls for the development of a Personnel Recovery Vehicle (PRV) to be used during Combat Search and Rescue missions undertaken by the Special Operations Command. Tests were conducted in the Aerospace Vehicle Survivability Facility of the 46th Operation's Group's Munitions Test Division (46 OGM), WPAFB to determine the horizontal and vertical airflow velocity limits in which personnel can perform necessary tasks. Horizontal test profiles included subjects walking into airflow wearing representative gear and carrying a Stokes litter with a patient. Vertical tests included descending a fast rope, climbing a ladder, and hoisting a litter into the airflow. Data analysis resulted in definition of horizontal airflow velocity limits. Vertical airflow limits were not defined due to poor experimental flow conditions. Horizontal flow is the limiting factor operationally as it is much stronger than vertical flow.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA472273

Entities

People

  • John A. Plaga
  • Nathan L. Wright

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerospace Craft
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aircrafts
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Medical Personnel
  • Motor Skills
  • Munitions Testing
  • Recovery Vehicles
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Search And Rescue
  • Test Facilities
  • Test Methods
  • Vehicles
  • Warfare
  • Wind Tunnels

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Educational Psychology
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space