An Innovative Mine Blast / IED Energy Attenuating Seat for use in Ground Vehicles

This proposal describes a Phase II SBIR program to develop, optimize, build and test an innovative energy attenuating seat for use in military ground vehicles. The proposed seat design and underlying energy absorption technology enhances occupant survivability by attenuating accelerative forces caused by landmine/IED detonations. Unlike previous seat designs/seat technology which could offer only limited protection from shock pulses of relatively lower energy, the proposed seat concept will provide an unprecedented level of protection from a wide range of blast scenarios. This will be achieved using computer modeling and simulation of the seat, energy absorber and occupant as well as through testing of the energy absorption system and utimately testing of a prototype seat/occupant system under impulsive loading.