Assessment of Design Modifications to Final Clothe the Soldier Rucksack

Abstract : A modification from Velco and strapping to a sewn attachment method for the shoulder straps of the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Rucksack was evaluated for: load control, dynamic peak loading and pressure distribution to the torso. Quantitative assessment of these functional parameters was undertaken to compare the behaviour of a proposed modification to that of the currently fielded design to ensure no degradation in performance. This modification was proposed to address problems that have arisen with the current shoulder strap attachment when loads carried in the rucksack increased from 25 to approximately 45 kg. The CTS load carriage system includes the Tactical Vest (TV), the Rucksack, and a Small Pack System which have been designed to be compatible. In addition to wearing the TV and one of the packs, soldiers are increasingly attempting to wear the Fragmentation Protection Vest (FPV), with Bullet Resistant Plates (BRP) beneath the TV and Rucksack. The purpose of testing was to quantify any impact of the modified shoulder attachment design on the following parameters: a soldier's load control ability, the pressure distribution under the rucksack, the range of motion of the trunk or the mechanical energy cost of walking. Both CTS designs were tested dynamically on the Load Carriage Simulator and on the Compliance tester.