PM Soldier/Future Land Warrior
Mr. Bill Brower, Ft Belvoir
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- The Project Manager Soldier, or LAND WARRIOR was described by Mr. Brower more in the context of a squad than as an individual.
- The Land Warrior is the integration of many sub-systems.
- He demonstrated the software interface with Maps, satellite imagery, GPS details, etc etc and the handheld flatpanel display for all this information. He spoke
of the need for a helmet mounted flip-down screen, and the load-problems of such a device on the neck: answer: exoskeleton!
- He described the wireless LAN with internet based control from behind, with monitors for all systems including human physical monitors relaying information
to command base at all times.
- Mr Brower noted that pilots in the airforce don't like to be monitored physically because they are prone to black out in high G situations and like to keep it
quiet. He said there was some ongoing research into the psychological problems needing to be addressed regarding physiological monitoring, at Ft Belvoir.
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- Mr. Brower was at pains to point out that the haptic interface is of equal importance to the technical solution, that the melding of machine and soldier together
was paramount.
- Very interestingly, a polite disagreement broke out amongst the audience during the questions after this presentation, between a gentleman in military uniform
and another in civilian clothing who was clearly a defense official.
- The need for specific preparation of the individual to become a part of a Land Warrior system was pointed out by the military man.
- He felt that problems regarding 'cognitive overload' - too much info - might hamper the ability to fight, and increase the physiological stress.
- The upshot of the argument was that there was no real research on potential identity problems when a human being becomes part of a human/machine system.
- It was acknowledged that unique training requirements need to be addressed - how does a human being remain more than 50% of the system?
- It was warned that the average soldier has an IQ of 100 - which means that 50% are at or below 100.
- It was pointed out that kids growing up today are all using computers and video games all the time, and that this constitutes excellent training to become part
of a Land Warrior system.
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