New vehicle seats improve troop survivability in blast events: industry perspective.

• Author: Mcdermott, Mike

Energy-absorbing, blast-attenuating seats are used in a number of military ground vehicles to help protect occupants from a multitude of injuries caused by crashes, improvised explosive devices and other blast events.

These advanced survivability seats use a stroking mechanism built into the seat's design to direct energy in upward lift-off'" movements and downward "slam-down" events. A self-reset feature within the stroking mechanism assists with energy-absorption. Combined, these elements provide protection for occupants from potential neck, spinal and other injuries commonly associated with roadside bomb explosions.

Military vehicle seats that enhance survivability are quickly becoming a more prominent option for vehicles that don't have add-on armor or up-armored protection. As budget constraints continue, customers are now turning their attention to implementing survivability upgrades as a less costly way to provide an added layer of occupant protection.

Some of the most advanced seats are found in the Army's Bradley fighting vehicle and the Caiman mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) truck.

"Survivability seats provide an additional layer of occupant protection that a military ground vehicle can't accomplish," said Curt Parsons, chief engineer and engineering fellow at BAE Systems Protection Systems. "Ground vehicles, like the Bradley and MRAP, provide occupants with significant protection, but survivability seats take that protection one step further, aiding in the protection of an occupant's spine and neck, among other injuries during crashes and explosions."

While survivability is the number-one concern in seating systems, there are several other features accounted for during seat design. Interior fit, ingress and egress, Functionality, and comfort all play critical roles throughout the entire design process.

Next to survivability, interior fit is the most important element. Interior areas of a vehicle's cab are often confined, making space utilization essential.

Consequently, the height of the cab must be factored into the seat's design to properly accommodate the stroking mechanism. Too short of a cab leaves little room for the seat to stroke, reset and absorb energy, potentially leading to harsher slam down events.

During emergency situations, ingress and egress are also accounted for as occupants need...