Heat Stress Mitigation for Leopard 2C Tank Crew
Abstract
The Directorate Armament Sustainment Programme Management (DASPM) requested Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) support with the investigation and recommendation of "...technologies available to mitigate the effects of the heat stress expected for Leopard 2C crews operating in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan in summer." DRDC was asked to focus "...on technologies that are likely to be able to be delivered and installed by the beginning of June 2007." Candidate heat stress mitigation strategies, technologies, technical reports, scientific reports, and commercial product specifications were reviewed in light of the timelines and engineering constraints. It was decided to test a vapour compression liquid circulating product as a "proof of concept" that personal micro-climate cooling would significantly mitigate the anticipated heat stress challenge in theatre. In addition, a specially designed solar heat dissipation textile was fitted to the exterior of the tank. The effects of these products were evaluated by monitoring the tank temperatures, the tank crew members' body temperatures, physiological and perceptual responses to a standardized heat stress. The heat stress involved exposure of the tank and crew members in the tank to an external air temperature of 44 C or 35 C and a simulated solar heat load of 1120 W/m2 in accordance with NATO STANAG 2895 which provides guidance on meteorological conditions that should be used for testing of materiel in accordance with the location in the world where the equipment will be deployed. The crew members were exposed to the heat stress on five consecutive days, either with or without the cooling or the solar shield. The cooling system consisted of a chiller unit and a worn distribution vest (liquid cooling garment or LCG) which interfaced via thick-walled supply and return lines. It was estimated that 40-164 W of cooling reached the LCG.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472970
Entities
People
- Debbie Kerrigan-brown
- Ira Jacobs
- P. Turbide
- Robert Limmer
- Robert Michas
- Tom Mclellan
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada