Natick Soldier Research , Development And Engineering Center Research Articles

Man-in-Simulant Test(MIST) 실험을 위한 다양한 흡착제의 화학증기 흡착용 샘플러 제작

We have developed a cost-effective and facile method to manufacture a pouch-type chemical vapor sampler. Originally, the sampler was developed by U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center(NSRDEC) to determine the protective capability of individual protective ensembles or Man-in-Simulant Test (MIST). They used a selectively permeable high density polyethylene(HDPE) as front membrane and aluminum/ Nylon barrier film as an impermeable back sheet in order to mimic the actual adsorption process that occurs when the skin is exposed to chemical weapons. However, it costs over twenty dollars per sampler and the minimum of quantity is 2500 per order. In addition, it is inconvenient to employ a variety of adsorbents into the sampler, which could prevent MIST researchers to do various tests for development of MIST methodologies. Here, we report the simple method to manufacture the sampler in a laboratory scale. All the materials we used are easily obtainable and inexpensive. In addition, all the procedures we perform are generally known. We used methyl salicylate(MeS) vapor to be adsorbed into the sampler and employed several different adsorbents to evaluate the performance of samplers. The results obtained by home-made samplers and commercially avaliable one showed no significant differences. Also, MeS vapor was selectively adsorbed into the sampler depending on adsorbents. We conclude that home-made samplers are capable of collecting any kind of chemical vapor for a variety of purposes.

Reasoning, Planning, and Goal Seeking

Technology Solutions Experts, Inc. (TSE) is the primary developer of the Infantry Warrior Simulation (IWARS) system for the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). As part of continuing Research and Development (R&D) in Small Unit (SU) combat operation simulation behaviors, TSE is developing algorithms for automation of SU and Soldier agent tasks and missions in constructive simulation and for transition to Soldier operational decision-support tools. TSE’s solution is the Reasoning, Planning, and Goal-Seeking (RPGS) architecture, which is targeted at the next generation of constructive simulations requiring autonomous and intelligent Soldier agents that are capable of problem solving; considering multiple courses of action; coordinating with friendly forces; following chain of command; and using Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to guide operations. Intelligent Soldier agents guided by RPGS methodologies and algorithms will be able to execute complex tasks given only mission goals, initial/boundary conditions, and constraints. As part of this R&D project, TSE is creating a formal model of the Soldier and SU battlespace on which reasoning can be conducted. TSE has identified two technical standards for battlespace knowledge systems that will provide a foundational model for this project: the Joint Consultation, Command, and Control Information Exchange Data Model (JC3IEDM) and the Coalition Battle Management Language (C-BML). TSE is using JC3IEDM as the basis for representing information about battlefield entities. C-BML uses the knowledge elements in JC3IEDM and consists of a formal language for specifying orders and reports by specifying the “who, what, when, where, and why” of a mission order. TSE is using C-BML to describe mission goals and constraints that the analyst gives to Soldier agents, which will be used as input to the RPGS behavior engine to generate agent behavior. This paper discusses the use of these standards for a battlespace representation, the new technologies and capabilities being developed as part of this project, and the contribution to human decision making and behavior representation for military and commercial constructive simulations.