The Effects of Encapsulation on Dismounted Warrior Performance

This study examined difference effects of encapsulation, treating the assessment from a systems development perspective. The study, in part, sought to develop a systematic and diagnostic method for evaluating the interactions between various key components of the ensemble and mobility, survivability, and information management technology (e.g., personal digital assistant). Our purpose is to assess the utility of using standardized facilities and tasks for taking a more integrative, systems approach to Soldier-equipment compatibility. Three configurations (baseline-no encapsulation; current nuclear, biological, and chemical; future land warrior) were tested; dependent measures are discussed in terms of time to complete common Soldier tasks, shooter accuracy, and cognitive workload performance. The thesis was that it is possible, in a fieldtest environment in which subjects engage in tasks relevant for their operational missions, to conduct such an assessment and, in the end, provide needed insights that can shorten useful development and fielding times for these systems. The original document contains color images.