Comparison of Biophysical Characteristics and Predicted Thermophysiological Responses of Three Prototype Body Armor Systems Versus Baseline U.S. Army Body Armor Systems

Modern day dismounted military are commonly required to perform high physical work at high intensities in a variety of environmental conditions while facing challenging training and combat engagements. To optimize warfighter physical performance while providing protection from kinetic threats, tradeoffs must be made between physical performance and the adverse effects of the weight and functional characteristics of equipment and clothing carried and worn by the individual Soldiers. The work outlined in this report provides: 1) a quantitative assessment of the biophysical characteristics of three prototype body armor configurations, 2) a comparison to current baseline U.S. Army body armor systems, and 3) mathematical predictions of maximal work times in three different environmental conditions. This work provides a cost effective and scientifically valid method of making comparisons of clothing and equipment changes prior to conducting human research.