Abstract
Abstract : U.S. Army trucks may be operated in severe operational environments under extremely stressful conditions which result in increased frequency and severity of crashes compared to similar trucks in the civilian fleet. Extensive research and development is ongoing to reduce the frequency of these crashes through crash avoidance technology but a significant number of crashes and subsequent injuries will continue to occur. Therefore, the U.S. Army TARDEC's National Automotive Center and Survivability Technology Area, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Safety Center, Ft. Rucker AL, and AROCA, Inc. of Penns Park, PA, are taking on the challenge to develop safer, more survivable ground vehicle systems for our men and women of the armed forces. This paper summarizes research and analysis conducted on one of the Army's Light Tactical Vehicles, the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Utilizing the crash and injury database at the U.S. Army Safety Center, the object was to identify the types and frequency of HMMWV crashes and the mechanisms of injuries sustained by the occupants involved in these crashes. Countermeasures were identified, investigated and analyzed through research and assessed using computer crash simulation, drop testing, and inversion testing. Candidate countermeasures found to be effective will be integrated into a Crash Occupant Protection System (COPS) mockup to demonstrate their compatibly with the vehicle platform. This concept is currently being refined to be compatible with multiple Army ground vehicles creating a Common Crashworthy Occupant Protection System (CCOPS). All or many elements of CCOPS will incorporate state-of-the-art crash and injury reduction technology, some of which could be retrofitted into current trucks or incorporated into new vehicle platforms such as the 21st Century Truck or Commercially Based Tactical Truck (COMBATT) vehicles.
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