ACIS ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
This project conducts Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) for Army aircrew safety, survivability, and human performance. These funds completed the Air Warrior Encrypted Aircraft Wireless Intercom System qualification testing and resource the integration and qualification of the Air Soldier System (Air SS) program. The Air SS addresses capability gaps identified during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan including the effects of weight and bulk, limited situational awareness, and lack of functionally integrated aircrew life support equipment. Currently Army aircrews must trade off Air Warrior life support capabilities to ensure compatibility with the confined space of rotary wing crew stations. The Air SS addresses these and other gaps defined in the Air SS CDD using a Soldier as a System approach to provide improved situational awareness; provide terrain, weather, threat, and obstacle avoidance information to reduce aircraft mishaps and fatalities; resolve the lack of a common aircrew helmet with modern heads-up display technologies; increase the Soldier's ability to operate safely in degraded visual environments and extreme environmental conditions; and provide the capability to perform missions up to 11.0 hours in hot/humid environments and under chemical/biological threat conditions. The Air SS follows an evolutionary acquisition approach with two sub-increments that build to the full capability. Sub-increment 1a provides optimized survival equipment and integrated lightweight body armor reducing bulk and increasing mobility and crew member performance; layered clothing ensemble with active thermal regulation and chemical/biological protection for aviation Soldiers in all aircraft platforms; an integrated Soldier-worn electronics suite with integrated portable power that combines the functionality of bulky and separate situational/spatial awareness and life support systems and their separate batteries. Sub-increment 1b is the final and full Air SS capability that completely replaces the legacy Air Warrior system. This is the full integration of Air Soldier capabilities necessary to meet the Air SS KPP threshold requirement for a 25% weight and bulk reduction over the legacy Air Warrior Aviation Life Support Equipment system. Sub-increment 1b provides improved safety and Soldier survivability, increased situational awareness, and reduced pilot/crew member workload through an integrated gear carriage and extraction system that builds upon the Air SS capabilities developed under sub-increment 1a. Sub-increment 1b also enhances the previous Air SS integrated electronics suite by adding an integrated wireless aircraft and survival communications capability to reduce weight and bulk; a wide field of view high resolution day/night helmet mounted display for the AH-64 platforms; and optimized laser eye protection. This program does not duplicate any aircraft platform program efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- S61_0604601A_5_2040_PB_2013
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