Army Combatant Needs and Requirements
Mr. Chris Kearns, Army, USAIC/DBBL. Ft Benning
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- At the beginning of the first morning, Mr. Kearns introduced the concept of a systems approach to the whole question of EHPA. He described to us the requirement for human-machine systems, for human-computer systems, for machine-computer systems, and how the exoskeleton and the soldier wearing it must be thought of as one system comprising these and other systems.
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- This concept had grown through the 1990s, following the development of the idea for an exoskeleton during the late 80s, and set down in a formal Army Science Board Report in 1991. So Mr. Kearns' presentation was entitled: - "The Soldier as a System."
- The integrated systems approach promotes an understanding of how changes in any one area of the soldier's requirements would affect one or more others. These requirements are labelled: Lethality - Command/Control - Survivability - Mobility - Sustainment - Training.
- During the course of the 1990s then, this concept went through various stages of development, culminating in the late 1998 announcement of the LAND WARRIOR SYSTEM.
- Mr Kearns pointed out that the fictional precursor to the Land Warrior was a book entitled "Starship Troopers", by Robert A. Heinlein, (see the movie website) which was well worth reading because the Land Warrior is already there in some respects, nearly there in others, and surpasses it in others. It is apparently much better than the recent film, and says a lot more about the battle armour.
- Importantly, the Soldier System brings uniformity and standardisation (equalisation) to the infantry. It is something most other branches of the armed forces already have, but which has eluded the infantry until now. The standardisation of human capabilities would mean that soldiers who were 5'10" and 6'2" could do the same.
- The Army preferred term has been ECTOBIONICS, rather than exoskeleton.
- An exoskeleton should be an outer skin that soldiers wear, not a new, small, individual platform that soldiers operate. The system must be independent so that soldiers can concentrate on shooting.
- Ideally, it should weigh nothing, take up no space, and do everything. Get as near to that as possible!
- The difference between weight and load was pointed out - actuators around the legs may enable a soldier to be carrying much greater weight than at present but feel a much smaller load.
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