Personal Protective Equipment-Integrated Restraints for Blast Mitigating Seats

Current military vehicle seat and restraint systems have limitations when it comes to soldier interface and protection. The safety system needs to protect and enable the occupant during all phases of vehicle operation without impinging on mission. This includes helping steady a soldier during rough off-road maneuvers and allowing maximum freedom of movement to operate equipment or engage the enemy while moving. The Seat/restraint system must also protect the crew from injury during crash, rollover or mine-blast events. The restraint should not hinder rapid vehicle ingress and egress. The goal of the proposed MillenWorks CREW Egress Technology (CREW-ET) program is to identify (Phase I) and develop (Phase II) a fully functional restraint solution that will encourage soldier/crew usage without undue encumbrance or degradation of the mission. The four restraint solutions presented in this proposal are focused on the above requirements for soldiers wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as well as other gear needed to complete the mission. Investigation of concepts that will enhance ingress and egress from seats and vehicles will result in a Phase II proposal to develop a safety system that will accommodate a wide range of soldiers and their equipment in a wide variety of military vehicles.