Land Warrior and MANPRINT

1. Land Warrior and MANPRINT Dr. Chris Carstens ARL-HRED USAIC Field Element Fort Benning, GA christian.carstens@benning.army.mil

2. 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.

3. Land Warrior Soldier

4. 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.

5. 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 FY05–FY10; integration of LW with Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and with new infantry assault rifle. • Block 3 LW = Block 1 Objective Force Warrior, scheduled for FY08–FY10.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. LW MANPRINT Issue #1 • Does the design of the LW system increase the soldier’s 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?

17. 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?

18. 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?

19. 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 soldier’s activities during airborne operations? Can the LW components be operated while wearing NBC and cold weather gear?

20. 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?

21. 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?

22. 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?

23. 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?

24. LW MANPRINT Issue #9 • Which tasks should be taught and to what level of proficiency in all institutional training courses affected by LW? • Example:What 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)?

25. 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?

26. 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?

27. 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?

28. 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?

29. 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?

30. LW MANPRINT Issue #15 • Will the combination of physical, cognitive, and psychological factors associated with the LW system adversely affect the soldier’s ability to perform mission tasks? • Example: How will the LW system affect the soldier’s 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?

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. Reduced Exposure Firing

36. Reduced Exposure Firing