Effect of Heat on Wounded Warriors in Ground Combat Vehicles: Insights from the Army Medical Community, and the Simulation of a Novel Method for Soldier Thermal Control

Ground combat vehicles can operate in regions characterized by various types and severities of injuries – resulting from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), gunfire or heat illness – as well as extreme climates such as desert environments. Because of the wounded warrior’s compromised physical condition, their thermal surroundings within the vehicle are especially important. This paper presents insights gleaned from the Army medical community, as well as a simple study of the effect of heat on soldiers in a ground combat vehicle using CFD / thermal modeling and simulation tools and methodologies. In particular, an Army-patented method for controlling body temperature via skin temperature feedback together with a cooling vest and pants ensemble is employed.