Development and Verification of Body Armor Target Geometry Created Using Computed Tomography Scans

Previous methods of target geometry modeling involving manual measurement of armor systems and the translation of those measurements into computer-aided design geometry could be replaced by more accurate computer scanning technology.

Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

This research involved a new process developed to support the rapid development of computer-aided design (CAD) geometry to model personal protective equipment (PPE). The armor was developed and used in modeling and simulation for analysis of the Tier 4 Soldier Protection System (SPS) compared to the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The goal of modeling the PPE CAD geometry was to create a representation of the armor system to scale relative to the Operational Requirement-based Casualty Assessment (ORCA) man model and place the armor system in the correct location relative to anatomical landmarks.

To reduce production time and increase accuracy of armor placement for vulnerability/lethality modeling, the US Army Research Laboratory's Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate explored a new process for CAD model creation. This methodology included CT scanning using the General Electric BrightSpeed model and placing the physical armor system on a foam manikin representative of ORCA man. This foam ORCA-man surrogate (referred to as foam manikin) is optimal for scanning given it is lightweight and has low density. It also provides real-life dimensions and fit of the armor system to the ORCA-man geometry, which is used for vulnerability/lethality modeling.