Army news service (Aug. 8, 2006): deployed soldiers test body ventilation system.FORT BELVOIR Fort Belvoir is a United States military installation and a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 7,176 at the 2000 census. , Va. -- The Army's Rapid Equipping Force The Rapid Equipping Force is a U.S. Army unit intended to provide solutions to battlefield problems in a short period of time, typically 90 days or less. External links
The portable, lightweight ventilation system will help reduce heat-related injuries, and will undergo one year of assessments by such soldiers as drivers, military police, and machine gunners. Another 1,700 vests will be shipped and issued to soldiers in similar units and duty positions in upcoming months. "The BVS BVS Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (Brazil) BVS Bureau of Vital Statistics BVS Brethren Volunteer Service (Church of the Brethren) BVS Boston Vegetarian Society (Cambridge, MA) project is another example of how the Army culture is changing in order to provide warfighter solutions in a timely manner," said Army Col. Gregory Tubbs, REF director. "It also provides another example of how much good can be accomplished when Army organizations like PEO Soldier and the Rapid Equipping Force team to help the warfighter." The BVS weighs less than five pounds and can be worn under body armor Noun 1. body armor - armor that protects the wearer's whole body body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour armet - a medieval helmet with a visor and a neck guard . Air circulates inside the vest to increase the soldier's comfort and performance in hot-dry climates by significantly increasing the evaporation evaporation, change of a liquid into vapor at any temperature below its boiling point. For example, water, when placed in a shallow open container exposed to air, gradually disappears, evaporating at a rate that depends on the amount of surface exposed, the humidity rate. The BVS has two main components--a ventilation unit and an air distribution garment that looks like a vest. The VU, or blower, is a battery powered fan that can be attached in a variety of positions to meet the soldier's need and comfort. The filtered blower system fits neatly into a pouch and is similar to a fanny pack. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It definitely keeps me cool," said Army Sgt. Mark Waits, an M1114 gunner with the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment. "I don't feel as fatigued after a mission in the BVS." The BVS operates approximately eight hours with commercial lithium rechargeable batteries, with a recharge re·charge tr.v. re·charged, re·charg·ing, re·charg·es To charge again, especially to reenergize a storage battery. re time of four to five hours. Filters are the system's primary maintenance. "When GlobalSecure approached us with their quick, simple, and reliable BVS design, I knew we could work with and count on the REF to get it to soldiers," said Army Col. Richard Hansen, director, Project Manager Soldier Warrior. GlobalSecure was selected among other vendors for its overall quality and product design, service, timeliness, and price. The Rapid Equipping Force is committed to working with industry and governmental partners such as Soldier Warrior to develop versatile equipment that protects soldiers and ensures their survivability sur·viv·a·ble adj. 1. Capable of surviving: survivable organisms in a hostile environment. 2. That can be survived: a survivable, but very serious, illness. and lethality. "If the warfighters need it, then I won't rest until I explore every option to meet those needs," said Tubbs. |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion