Factors limiting endurance of armor, artillery, and infantry units under simulated NBC conditions
The war of the future will require 72-hour operations in environments contaminated with nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) agents. The 1985 P2NBC2 (Physiological and Psychological Effects of NBC and Extended Operations on Combined Arms Crews) Program assessed soldier endurance and performance under simulated NBC conditions. A total of 175 soldiers were observed during four tests differing in design, site, climatic conditions, and performance demands. In all but one of the iterations where the full chemical-protective ensemble (MOPP 4) was used without cooling, soldier endurance fell far short of the projected requirement. Psychological data were analyzed to determine which factors were associated with the incidence of casualties. The findings showed that perceived intensity of symptoms resembling the hyperventilation syndrome was significantly greater in soldiers classified as Casualties. Five of these symptoms (painful breathing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, headache, and nausea) showed Casualty-Survivor differences in all tests. Symptom intensity was attributed to two factors. (1) External conditions. Thermal stress exacerbated the five basic symptoms, induced others (tetany and paresthesia), and decreased endurance. Periodic relief from respirator use attenuated these symptoms and enhanced endurance. (2) Individual differences. Significant Casualty-Survivor differences in anxiety, depression, and cognitive strategy scores indicated that perception of hyperventilation symptoms and endurance were related to personality variables. Hyperventilation symptoms could incapacitate the soldier or induce removal of the protective mask under actual chemical attack.
- Research Organization:
- Army Research Inst. of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5607190
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-165865/7/XAB; USARIEM-M-18/86
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
BIOLOGICAL WARFARE
CHEMICAL WARFARE
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
MILITARY PERSONNEL
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
ARMOR
COOLING
DECONTAMINATION
MENTAL DISORDERS
NAUSEA
OPERATION
PSYCHOLOGY
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORS
THERMAL STRESSES
CLEANING
EQUIPMENT
PERSONNEL
STRESSES
SYMPTOMS
WARFARE
WEAPONS
990100* - Management
450202 - Explosions & Explosives- Nuclear- Weaponry- (-1989)