Degradation of HAWK Air Defense Units Operating in a Hot/Humid Chemical Environment

Abstract : The degradation of personnel wearing individual protective equipment (IPE) was quantified for a HAWK Assault Fire Unit operating in a hot and humid environment. The average temperature was 84 F and the average relative humidity was 74%. Correction factors which are the inverse of the degradation were determined for eighteen unit tasks and 47 individual component tasks. These factors when multiplied by the time to perform the task in Battle Dress Uniform provide a time estimate and most probable range for the time to perform a similar task while wearing IPE. All tasks were completed with results indicating moderate personnel degradation caused by the IPE.