Land Warrior and MANPRINT

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Land Warrior and MANPRINT

• Dr. Chris Carstens
• ARL-HRED USAIC Field Element
• Fort Benning, GA
• christian.carstens_at_benning.army.mil

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Land Warrior MANPRINT

• LW system Description.
• Development of LW system.
• LW components and subsystems.
• LW intended to enhance Lethality, Survivability,
  Mobility, C3, and Situational Awareness.
• Fifteen LW MANPRINT Issues.
• Success stories Improvements in MANPRINT domain
  areas during the evolution of the LW system.

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Land Warrior Soldier
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LW System Description

• An integrated soldier fighting system intended to
  enhance lethality, survivability, mobility,
  situational awareness, and communication for the
  dismounted infantryman.
• Modular -- can be tailored for specific missions.
• Intended to increase capability while decreasing
  total weight.
• Intended for Light, Mechanized, Airborne, Air
  Assault units, Ranger units, Stryker Brigade
  Combat teams, as well as infantry support
  personnel.

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Development of LW

• The Land Warrior program grew out of the Soldier
  Integrated Protective Ensemble (SIPE) project
  conducted from 1990 to 1992. LW Operational
  Requirements Document was approved in 1994.
• Block 1 (Threshold System) Initial Operational
  Test Evaluation scheduled for FY03 First Unit
  Equipped is scheduled for a Ranger battalion in
  FY04.
• Block 2 Scheduled for FY05FY10 integration of
  LW with Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and with new
  infantry assault rifle.
• Block 3 LW Block 1 Objective Force Warrior,
  scheduled for FY08FY10.

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LW Components

• Includes weapons, sensors, laser rangefinder,
  displays, integrated load carrying equipment,
  ballistic protection, Nuclear, Biological,
  Chemical (NBC) protective clothing, helmet,
  speaker, microphone, computer, navigation system,
  radio, controls and software.
• There are Soldier and Leader versions of LW. The
  Leader version includes a hand-held display.

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LW Subsystems

• Integrated Helmet Assembly Includes Advanced
  Combat Helmet (ACH), Helmet-Mounted Display
  (HMD), WLAN antenna,and PVS-14 image intensifer.
• Computer/Radio Subsystem Includes Computer,
  Control Unit, Soldier radio, Multiband
  Intra/Inter Team (MBITR) Leader radio, and Leader
  Hand-held display.

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LW Subsystems

• Weapons Subsystem
• M4A2 or M16A4 5.56 mm rifle
• M203 Grenade Launcher
• M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
• Weapon User Interface Device
• Thermal Weapon Sight, Daylight Video Sight, and
  M68 Close Combat Optic.
• Multifunction Laser/Digital Compass (for target
  illumination, range finding, combat
  identification)

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LW Subsystems

• LW Software Includes maps, digital message
  format capability, instructional manuals, and
  troubleshooting guides. LW software integrates
  functions of all the subsystems.
• Navigation Subsystem Includes GPS and Dead
  Reckoning Device.

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LW Subsystems

• Protective Clothing and Load Bearing Equipment
• Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment
  (MOLLE)
• Ballistic Laser Eye Protection System (BLEPS) or
  Special Protective Eyewear Cylindrical System
  (SPECS)
• Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit
  Technology (JSLIST) and M45 protective mask
• Interceptor body armor

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Enhancing Lethality

• Thermal Weapons Sight, Daylight Video Sight,
  Close Combat Optic, and Multifunction Laser
  enhance the efficiency of target detection,
  recognition, and engagement.
• GPS Dead Reckoning navigation, digital map
  display, and range-finding capabilities
  facilitate support from artillery, mortars, and
  combat aircraft.

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Enhancing Survivability

• Reduced-exposure firing (sighting through Head
  Mounted Display) protects soldier from return
  fire.
• Protective clothing and armor provide ballistic
  and NBC protection.
• Computer/radio system facilitates calls for
  medical assistance.
• Anticipated integration with Individual Combat
  Identification System (ICIDS) friend or foe
  identification.

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Enhancing Mobility and C3

• GPS navigation system provides continual updates
  of soldier and unit location, in conjunction with
  targets and waypoints.
• Command, control, and communication facilitated
  through voice and digital message system.

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Enhancing Situational Awareness

• Automatically generated Situational Awareness
  position reports are transmitted at pre-specified
  intervals.
• LW system enables leaders to plan movements,
  operations, and fires.
• LW system facilitates the production and
  transmission of routes, field orders, overlays,
  and unit sector sketches and fire plans.

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MANPRINT Mission

• Support the Program Manager in identifying human
  interface system design problems or potential
  problems, and assist in problem resolution in the
  following domains
• Manpower
• Personnel
• Training
• Human Factors Engineering
• Safety
• Health Hazards
• Soldier Survivability

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LW MANPRINT Issue 1

• Does the design of the LW system increase the
  soldiers workload to the extent that cognitive
  and sensory overload may occur?
• Example Can a squad leader effectively engage in
  radio communication and visual HMD contact while
  firing his weapon, maintaining situational
  awareness, and directing squad activities?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 2

• Do the demands placed on the soldier go beyond
  the abilities, skills, and experience of some
  target audience soldiers?
• Example Can soldiers with little or no computer
  experience learn the LW computer operation and
  troubleshooting skills to the desired degree of
  proficiency within the provided training period?
  What reading level is required to fully access
  the LW software?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 3

• Are the physical requirements placed on the
  soldier by the LW system beyond the capabilities
  of the LW target audience soldier?
• Examples Are all the potential LW ensemble
  configurations within acceptable weight limits?
  Can the protective goggles, night vision devices,
  and HMD accommodate prescription glasses and
  contact lenses?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 4

• Is the LW system configured for efficient portage
  and maneuverability under conditions outlined in
  the Operational Mode Summary/Mission Profile?
• Examples Does the LW ensemble interfere with a
  soldiers activities during airborne operations?
  Can the LW components be operated while wearing
  NBC and cold weather gear?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 5

• Are the LW components and controls adequately
  designed for efficient operation and maintenance?
• Examples Do the layout and functional grouping
  of all controls and displays facilitate accurate
  and timely operation during all modes of
  operation? Do any LW components interfere with
  access to ammunition or other critical items?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 6

• Does the LW system have any adverse affects on
  sensory input to the soldier?
• Examples Will the use of the HMD at night
  interfere with dark adaptation? Can a soldier
  assimilate simultaneous information input from
  the HMD and an image intensifier? Will the use
  of the LW communication channels detract
  attention from local sights and sounds, resulting
  in a decrease in situational awareness?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 7

• Are the LW displays and sensors sufficient for
  all required tasks?
• Examples Is the resolution of the HMD sufficient
  to allow the soldier to distinguish targets? Are
  the icons and symbols in the software consistent
  with military message formats? Are the drop-down
  menus adequately prioritized?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 8

• Can the LW system be operated, maintained, and
  supported without increases in the force
  structure?
• Examples What are the planned manpower and
  logistic support concepts and structures and are
  they adequate to support the fielded system? At
  what level will each LW component be maintained
  and repaired?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 9

• Which tasks should be taught and to what level of
  proficiency in all institutional training courses
  affected by LW?
• ExampleWhat LW skills should be taught during
  institutional vs. unit training? How can the
  training structure accommodate both old
  techniques (e.g. map compass navigation) as
  well as the new techniques (e.g., GPS navigation)?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 10

• What additional training facilities, resources,
  and devices will be required to support LW at the
  institutional and unit levels?
• Examples Will additional instructors be required
  for LW training? What training devices need to
  be developed and fielded prior to the First Unit
  Equipped?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 11

• Does the wear and use of the LW system create
  adverse physiological effects?
• Examples Can the use of the HMD produce
  headaches, eye strain, or motion sickness? Will
  the combination of the LW system, body armor, and
  load-bearing equipment lead to heat stress?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 12

• Is the LW system free of safety and health
  hazards when operated and maintained by target
  audience soldiers?
• Examples Are there any electrical hazards
  associated with the operation and repair of the
  LW system? Are there any design features that
  would produce an unacceptable degree of
  musculoskeletal stress?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 13

• Does the LW System enhance soldier survivability?
• Examples Is the LW software adequately protected
  against to attack by malicious codes and viruses?
  Does the use of the LW communication channels
  adversely affect detectability by increasing
  acoustic or electromagnetic signatures?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 14

• Can the boresighting and zeroing of the LW weapon
  sighting systems be accomplished in a reasonable
  amount of time?
• Examples How long does it take to complete
  boresighting and zeroing of all devices for a
  squad or a platoon? Can each of the weapons
  system components be removed and re-attached
  without adversely affecting boresighting and
  zeroing?

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LW MANPRINT Issue 15

• Will the combination of physical, cognitive, and
  psychological factors associated with the LW
  system adversely affect the soldiers ability to
  perform mission tasks?
• Example How will the LW system affect the
  soldiers ability to fire weapons, move
  cross-country, negotiate obstacles, and establish
  communications, while maintaining situational
  awareness? How will mission performance be
  affected by failure of some of the LW components?

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Successes MPT

• Tests and exercises have provided very good
  opportunities to observe LW training. As a
  result, training time estimates have been made,
  draft instructional programs developed, training
  devices and media specified.
• A CD-ROM for refresher instruction in LW
  pre-requisites (e.g., map reading) has been
  produced.
• During user juries and training exercises to
  date, no soldier has failed to become familiar
  with the basic operation of the LW system and
  software.

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Successes Human Factors

• Cables connect batteries, computer, navigation
  box, control unit, voice communication, and
  weapons systems. Cables have been shortened,
  re-routed, and pig-tailed. Cable keepers and
  quick disconnects have been improved. The result
  is improved performance and reduction in snagging
  hazards.
• Improvements in Helmet Assembly HMD mounting
  bracket and locking device, HMD screen, and
  helmet cover design.

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Successes Safety and Health Hazards

• The original radio earpiece was replaced with one
  that also provides acoustic protection.
• Extensive safety testing on rechargeable and
  non-rechargeable batteries, leading to improved
  housing and safety features.
• Helmet assembly breakaway connector improved to
  disconnect at 18 lbs reduces potential for head
  and neck injury.
• Blue safety block for multifunctional laser
  reduces potential for eye injury.

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Successes Survivability

• ARL-SLAD Compared with present Soldier
  capabilities, LW provides significant advances in
  Survivability. Examples
• Voice communication within a Squad will improve
  mission performance and enhance survivability,
  e.g. night air drop.
• Reduced-exposure firing has the potential to
  reduce casualties in close-in fire-fights,
  especially in Military Operations in Urban
  Terrain (MOUT) environments.

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Reduced Exposure Firing
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Reduced Exposure Firing