HEAT -- Army Innovation in Action
Abstract
Imagine being in a combat environment taking enemy fire when, suddenly, your vehicle flips over violently from the force of an improvised explosive device (IED), caved road, or impact from another vehicle. Your vehicle is now upside down and water is rapidly filling the inside of the cab. How do you survive? Could you effectively respond to a similar situation and live to talk about it? Could you unfasten your seat belt, recover from being hit by radios, ammunition cans, and other equipment flying around in the vehicle, while remaining calm so you can reorient yourself and egress from the vehicle? Teaching Soldiers how to react in rollover situations had been impractical until a group of Soldiers collaborated in creating the High-Mobility Multipurpose Vehicle (HMMWV) Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT). Before HEAT, Soldiers were not trained how to properly exit a vehicle that had turned over on its side or top because of a rollover incident. During these exit attempts, Soldiers were experiencing various problems, including disorientation. loose equipment, unlocking seat belts, and unlocking doors. The Army needed a solution to properly prepare Soldiers to survive a vehicle rollover. The solution to this problem was found in current technology used to train pilots -- the dunker trainer. Army Soldiers created the HEAT by adapting and applying the idea of the pilot dunker trainer to the HMMWV. They combined key ideas to create a lifesaving device that increases the likelihood of survival for Soldiers involved in rollovers. HEAT Army Standard is an outstanding example of innovation in action exemplifying the best in collaborative acquisition excellence. This trainer represents a great idea -- for Soldiers, by Soldiers -- that allows individual Soldiers and crews to rehearse and physically execute the necessary steps required to survive a vehicle rollover. This training will help Soldiers overcome the natural fear and panic associated with rollover incidents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA492329
Entities
People
- Vernon Myers