Call for weighty ideas to lighten soldier’s load
MOD’s Defence Research Programme is seeking innovative ideas to reduce the huge weight burden on the dismounted soldiers. A recent Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) seminar gave guests the opportunity to examine the problems that face UK soldiers weighed down by body armour, communications and IT, batteries and other equipment essential.
Personal protection is a major contributing factor to the load carried by troops and the seminar announced details of a call for proposals to seek solutions that will maintain a high level of physical protection, whilst reducing weight. Another objective is to reduce heat stress and improve ergonomic factors such as load distribution, flexibility and reduced bulk.
Reducing the Burden on the Dismounted Soldier is an MOD Capability Vision (CV), aimed at encouraging suppliers to develop innovative solutions in a number of areas.