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ARMYGROUNDRISK-MANAGEMENTPUBLICATIONIOL20NO2 http://safety.army.mil FEBRUARY1999

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NightVisionDevicesightVisionDevices(NVDs)giveusthecapabilitytosee,maneuver,andfightat night.venas theyincreaseourcapabilities,theyalsohaveinherentlimitations.VDs,whenimproperlyused,canleadto invalidriskassessments,causingunitsandcrewstoattemptmovementsthataretooaggressivefo rconditions,resultinginunnecessaryaccidents.Soldierswantto winandtheywantto besuccessful.ommandersandleadersmustputsoldiersinapositionto besuccessfulbyemployingNVDsroutinelyandaccordingto establishedstandards.hisissueofCountermeasureaddressesawiderangeofsubjectspertainingto NVDs,includingdevicesavailable,NVDlimitations,andtrainingstrategiesinnightoperations.Onlvafterwehavemasteredtheuseofournishtvisione ui ment can we

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CRMYGROUNDRISK-MANAGEMENTPUBLICATION\ S U R TheOfficialSafetyMagazinefo rArmyGroundRisk-Management

BGCharles W 1 .BurkeCommander/DirectorofArmySafety COLJohnS.WarrenDeputyCommanderLTCPeteSimmonsPublishingManagerPaulaAllmanManagingEditorMikeWilkinsGraphics/LayoutFeaturesNVDTypesone!Uses.................ThingsThatGoBumpinThe Dark.........NVDResourcesNVGLimitations....................SafetyofUse MessagesIntolechCornerAccidentReviewTragedyinThe TrenchesFromTheTroopsDrivinnWithNVGs .11,12.10

U.S.ARMYS A F E T Y C E N T E H Countermeasureispublishedmonthlyby theU.S.ArmySafetyCenter,FortRucker,AL6362-5363.nformationsorccidentreventionurposesnlyndsspecifically prohibitedforuse forpunitivepurposesormattersofliability,l itigation,orcompetition.AddressquestionsaboutcontenttoDSN558-2688 (334-255-2688).To submitinformation for publication,use Fa x334-255-9528(Ms.Paula Allman)ore-mailcountermeasure@safety-emh1.army.milddressuestionsboutistributionoDSN558-2062(334-255-2062).isitour websiteat http://safety.army.mil

FromtheEditorHaveyoueverdriven yourcaratnightinaheavyrainstorm,wantingtogethome,butfeelingalittleuneasy becauseof reducedvisibility?Thewindshieldwipersjust couldn'tkeepupwith the rain.hereyouwere,zippingalongat55mph,hoping thattheroadwasclearaheadandrationalizingthat youcouldsee"wellenough"togettothenextexit,orthattherain wouldstopsoon,orthatifyoukept upyourspeed,youwould"driveoutofit."Well,driving yourcarinaheavyrainstorm whenthewindshieldwipersarenotcapableofkeepingthewindshieldclearcouldbecomparedtodriving with nightvisiondevices(NVDs)inlowambientlightoradverseweatherconditionstheequipmentcapabilitiescanbeexceededbytheprevailingconditions.Night visiondevicesgreatlyenhanceourabilitytoseeatnight,butthey'renotperfect.Therefore,wemustunderstandtheinherentlimitationsintheNVDs,inourequipment,andinourselves.BeforeIstartedmyresearch,IthoughtNVDsweremagic.heycouldwork inanyconditionswithoutaidfromoutsidesources.WRONG!WeneedtounderstandthatNVDsdonotturn nightintoday.Althoughtheygreatlyenhanceourabilitytousethenight toouradvantage,therearelimitsasyouwillseeinCW5BillAltaian'sarticles,"ThingsThatGoBumpIntheDark"and"NVGLimitations."I'dliketothankCW5Altman,SafetyCenterNVDSystemsManager;Bob Brooks,SafetyCentercontractor;CECOM'sJayHanrahanandSusanWeir,andNV/RSTAprogrammanagersGlen NowakandJ.BrianGillespiefortheirguidanceandexpertiseincreatingthisissue.SAFETY FIRST!

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NVDTypesandUsesForourgroundforcestobeeffectiveon today'sbattlefield,itisnecessaryforustobeabletofightandmaneuveratnight.ightvisiondevices(NVDs)makethispossiblebyprovidingournightfighterstheabilitytosee,maneuver,andshootatnightorduringperiodsofreducedvisibility,thusincreasingourcombateffectiveness.TheArmyusestwotypesofNVDs:magentensifiersandThermals Image-IntensificationDevicesarebasedonlightamplification.mage-intensifiersystemsmusthavesomelighttofunction;theyamplifyavailablelight2,000to5,000times.AN/PVS-4andAN/TVS-5WeaponSights.otharelightweight,second/ third-generationnight-visionscopes.achcanbemountedonavarietyofweaponsorhandheldforsurveillancepurposes.AN/PVS-5isoneoftheoriginalNVDsusedbyindividualsoldiers.tusesasecond-generationimage-intensifiertubeforcombat,combatsupport,andcombatservicesupportoperations.AN/PVS-7Disalightweightgoggleusedbyindividualsoldiers.tusesasingle,third-generationimage-intensifiertube.tsperformanceissignificantlygreaterthantheAN/PVS-5andisusedincombat,combatsupport,andcombatservicesupportoperations.AN/PVS-10SniperNightSight

(SNS)isanintegratedday/nightsightfortheM 24sniperrifle.tgivesthesniperthecapabilitytoacquireandengagetargetsduringlowandhighambientlightconditions.hesystemmountsontheM 24andusesthesamemil-dotreticleastheexistingLeopolddayscope.hemagnificationfordayandnightoperationis8.5X,andthe

system'smaximumweightis4.9pounds.AN/PVS-14MonocularNightVisionDevice(MNVD)providesleadersofcombatinfantryunitswithasmall,lightweight,night-visiondeviceforuseinobservationandcommandandcontrol.tinterfaceswiththeAN/PVS-7Dheadandhelmetmount,andthe3X magnifier.tcanalsobemountedtoasmallarmsrailusingarailgrabber.AN/VVS-2Driver'sNightVisionViewerisasecond/third-generation night-visionscopeandprovidesaclosed-hatchnight-visioncapabilityincombat

vehicles.AN/AVS-6Aviator'sNight-VisionImagingSystem(ANVIS)providesimageintensificationforhelicoptercrewmemberstoconductnightmissionsunderminimalambientlightconditions.Itispoweredusingexistingaircraftpowerorahelmet-mountedbatterypack. ThermalPrograms.Thermal/forward-lookinginfrared(FLIR)detectors(sometimescalled"sensors")workbysensingthetemperaturedifferencebetweenanobjectanditsenvironment.hermal/FLIR-detectorsystemsareinstalledoncertaincombatvehiclesandhelicopters.AN/VAS-5DriversVisionEnhancer(DVE)providesdriversofcombatandtacticalwheeledvehiclesunparalleledflexibilitytocontinuedayornightoperationsduringmostperiodsofdegradedvisualconditionscausedbysmoke,fog,dust,orsimilarconditions.AN/PAS-13ThermalWeaponSight(TWS)allowssoldierstoseedeepintothebattlefield,increasessurveillanceandtargetacquisitionrange,andpenetrates

obscurants,dayornight.TheTW S isasecond-generationFLIR system.TheTW S familyprovidesasubstantialimprovementovertheimage-intensifiernightsightscurrentlyinuseforsmallarms.

NOTE: Toavoidconfusion,whenwediscuss"NVGs,"we'reeferringonlytoimage-intensifierdevices;whenweus etheterm"NVDs,"we'rereferringtoalldevices,ncludingthermals.

CO CO CO o00

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ThingsThatGoBumpInTheDarkTeimproperuseofnight visiondevices(NVDs)hasbeenlistedasacontributingfactorinseven

ClassA vehicleaccidentsoverthepast 5years.heseaccidentshaveresultedinsevenfatalitiesandeleveninjuries,alongwithmillionsofdollarsinequipmentlossanddamage.Aftercarefulreviewoftheseaccidentreports,certainkeyfactorssurface.Inadequatedriver'strainingisconstantlyoneofthemajorcausalfactorsnoted.Weexpectouryoungsoldierstoperformat10 0percentproficiencynomatterhowdemandingtheenvironment.Alltoooften,thesesoldiershaveverylittletrainingpriortoparticipatinginamajortrainingeventsuchasanNTCrotation.Theadage,"Onceyoulearntorideabicycle,youneverforget,"doesn't holdtruefordriving withNVDs.DrivingwithNVDsisahighlyperishableskill.Justbecauseyouhaveallyourdrivers"qualified,"doesn't meantheyaremissionready.hereisneveranassurancethat yourdriverswillnothaveanaccident.ettingthemtrainedandkeepingthemproficientisthekey.hemoreoftenyoutrain,themoreconfidencetheywillbuild;thus,theeasierandsaferitwillbetoaccomplishyourmission(nottomention,moreefficiently!).ThebasicrequirementstoqualifydriversinNVDsarelistedinchapter8ofAR 600-55,TheArmyan dOperator StandardizationProgram (Selection,Training, esting,an dLicensing).riortoconductingnightdrivingtrainingoperations,commandersmustunderstandthelimitationsofeachdeviceinordertomanagetheirassociatedrisks.Commandersmustdeveloptheirdriver'strainingtosuittheunitmissionessentialtasklist(METL) .FM21-305,ManualfortlieWheeledVehicleDriver,providesusefulinformation/guidelinesfornightvisiongoggle(NVG)drivingoperations.

TC22-305-2,TrainingProgram forNVGOperations,wasrevisedon4Sep98 andcontainsinformationthat canassistyouinestablishinganeffectivetrainingprogram.C21-306containsproceduresfortrackedvehicleoperators.DriversmustbequalifiedandcurrentforeachspecifictypeofNVDtheyaretooperate.hismust beannotatedontheindividual'sDAForm348 driver'slicenseandOF346.riverswhohavenotparticipatedinanNVDdrivingmissionduringthepast6monthsmustundergorefreshertraininginordertomaintainorregainproficiency.AnotherareathatshowsuptimeandagainasanaccidentcausefactoristhelackofunderstandingoftheNVDcapabilitiesandlimitations.Let'sreviewsomelimitationsofthemostcommonlyusedNVDs.(Alsosee"NVGLimitations"onpage7.)TheAN/WS-2Driver'sNightVisionViewerfortrackvehiclesisanight-visionimagingdevice.heAN/VVS-2hassignificantlimitationsfordetailingdifferencesinterrain,especiallydepthperception.hismaynotseemallthatimportantwhileconductingdriver'strainingatFortRiley,but whatadifferencewhenyougettotheNTCforthat trainingrotation.Thelimitedfieldofview(FOV)oftheAN/WS-2isanotherconcern.henormalFOVforapersonisabout18 8degrees.However,whenlookingthroughNVGs,itisreducedtoapproximately40degreesorless.Drivershavetorealizethisandworkwith thelimitedFOVtobecomecomfortableandproficient.Wheneverpossible,thevehiclecommandershouldusetheAN/PVS-7toassistthedriverinclearingobstacles.riverproficiencycanbeaccomplishedbyplacingcommandemphasistoensurerepeatedusageonaregulartrainingbasis.Thelastareaofconcernisoperatorpreventivemaintenancechecksand

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services(PMCS)andoperatingprocedureslistedintheTM11-5855-249-10,Drivers NightVision ViewerOperator's Manual. cleanviewerwindowandeyepieceareessentialforoptimumeffectiveness.sersmustalwaysevaluatetheperformanceoftheirNVD.fanyfaultsarefoundthatinterfere withyourabilitytoperformyourmission,thedeviceshouldnotbeusedandmustbeturnedinformaintenance.TheAN/PVS-7alsohaslimitationsthat needtobeaddressedforsuccessfulmissionaccomplishment.hispieceofequipmentis usedbytrackvehiclecommandersandbywheeledvehicledriversandcommanders,aswellasdismountedsoldiers.LiketheAN/VVS-2,theAN/PVS-7hasa40 -degreeFOV.singscanningtechniques(freeviewing)maybebestsuitedfortheindividualdriverandvehiclecommander.oneproperly,theriskposedbytheFOVlimitationcanbe

mitigatedtoaminimum.Areductioninvisualacuity(sharpnessofvision)isanotherproblemposedbyNVGs.Normaldaytimevisionis20/20;averagenightunaidedisworsethan20/200.ubsequently,thebestyoucanexpectfromNVGsis20/25to20/40.hisvisualacuityisonlypossiblewithahighcontrastsceneandoptimumillumination.Thelowertheillumination,themoreyoursharpnessofvisionwilldrop.riversandvehiclecommandershavetotakethisknowledge

andapplyitasneededinordertocompletethemissionsafely.AlthoughtheAN/PVS-7hasbetterresolution(howwellyoucansee)thantheAN/WS-2,itwon'tdoyoumuchgoodif theyaren'tinfocus.A llusersmust performthefocusingproceduresthatarelistedintheoperator'smanual.ftheseproceduresarenotused,operatorsarestartingthemissionwithonestrikeagainstthemandcompromisingthesafetyofeveryoneinthevehicle,and/orintheirpath.Unfortunately,toooftenthereisneverenoughtimetotrainrightthefirsttime,butalwaysenoughtimetotrainoveragain.hat,ofcourse,isprovidedthat youareluckyenoughnottobecomejustanotheraccidentstatistic.Withpropertrainingandathorough understandingofyourequipment,NVDsbecomeoneofthecommanders'acesintheholewhenitcomestocombatmultipliers.Wemustembracethat wayofdoingbusinesstoensureTHINGSDON'TGOBUMPINTHEDARK! Editor'snote:or agoodreviewof otherareasofconcernan dconsiderationwithNVDs,referto February1996an dOctober1997issuesofCountermeasure.POC :CW5BillAltman,NVD SystemsManager,USASC,DSN558-2785(334-255-2785),altmanw@safety-emh1.army.mil

ThreeM3A2Bradleyfightingvehiclesdroveovera15-footcliffandlandedupsidedown.esult:Twosoldierskilledandeightinjured. AnM1A1tankrolledoverafterembankmentgavewayduringnighttacticalconvoytraining.esult:Onesoldierkilled. AnM977CargoHEMMTdroveoveragateguardatclassIV/Vyard.Result:Onesoldierkilled. AnM966HMWWVrolledovertwiceafterslidingoffnarrowroad.Result:Twosoldiersinjured. AnM1A1tankmaingunstruckanM113APCwhileconductinganightconvoy.esult:Onesoldierkilledandoneinjured. AnM35A32V2-tontruckdroveoveradismountedsoldierwhileconductingnightconvoyoperations.esult:Onesoldierkilled. AnM3A2Bradleyfightingvehicledroveintoa14-footdeeparroyoandoverturned.esult:Onesoldierkilled.

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NVDResourcesPeopleSources CW 5BillAltaian,USASC NightVisionDevicesManager,DSN558-2785(334-255-2785), altmanw@safety-emhl.army.milKDr.WilliamMcLean,ResearchOpthamologist,ArmyAeromedicalResearchLab,DSN558-6813 (334-255-6813),mclean@rucker-emh2.army.mil Dr.JeanneDyer,ResearchPsychologist,ArmyResearchInstitute,DSN835-4513(706-545-4513),dyerj@benning.army.mil CharlieThornton,DivisionChief,DismountedBattleSpaceBattleLab,DSN835-3082(706-545-3082),thorntonc@benning.army.milNightVision/Reconnaissance,Surveillance&TargetAcquisition(NV/RSTA) AN/PVS-7:GregPatrick,ProjectLeader,DSN654-1610(703-704-1610),gpatrick@nvl.army.mil AN/PVS-14(MNVD),AN/AVS-6(ANVIS):J.BrianGillespie,ProjectLeader,DSN654-1214(703-704-1214),bgillesp@nvl.army.mil Driver'sVisionEnhancer(DVE):JoeBrooks,ProjectLeader,DSN654-1251(703-704-1251),jbrooks@nvl.army.milorKen Jones,DSN654-1156(703-704-1156),kjones@nvl.army.mil MELIOS/GVS-5:RickRenairi,ItemManager,DSN654-1204(703-704-1204),rrenairi@nvl.army.mil Logistics:GlenNowak,EquipmentSpecialist,DSN654-3453(703-704-3453),gnowak@nvl.army.milorBrianMurray,BranchChief,DSN654-3498(703-704-3498),bmurray@nvl.army.milCommunications-ElectronicCommand( CECOM ) Safety:JayHanrahan,SystemSafetyEngineer,CECOMDirectorateforSafetyRiskManagement,DSN992-0084(732-532-0084),ext.6406,hanrahan@maill.monmouth.army.milorwww.monmouth.army.mil/cecom/safety AN/VVS-2:SusanWeir,ProjectEngineer,DSN987-5722(732-427-5722),weir2@maill .monmouth.army.mil AN/PAQ-4AimingLight& AN/PEQ-2AInfraredTargetPointer/AimingLight(TPIAL):RonGibson,DSN992-8236(732-532-8236), gibsonr@maill.monmouth.army.mil Logistics:SteveBorman,(910)396-4064,borman@maill.monmouth.army.milorBillCooper,(404)464-6725,cooperw@forscom.army.mil

C E C OMResearch,Development&EngineeringCenter(RDEC) ANVIS:M s.TrangBui,ProjectLeader,NightVision& ElectronicSensorsDirectorate,AviationSystems,DSN654-1370(703-704-1370),tbui@nvl.army.milPublicationSources FM 21-305:ManualfortheWheeledVehicleDriver,27Aug93 STP11-39E13-SM-TG:Soldier'sManual/TrainingGuide,9Feb93 TC21-305-2:TrainingProgramforNVGDrivingOperations,14Nov90 TM 11-5855-213-23&P:UnitandDirectSupportMaintenanceManualforNightVisionSight,IndividualServedWeapon,AN/PVS-4,1 Jun93 TM11-5855-214-10:Operator'sManual,NightVisionSight,CrewServedWeapon,AN/TVS-5,15 Feb89 TM11-5855-238-10:Operator'sManual,NVGs,GroundUse,AN/PVS-5,-5A,-5B,and-5C,15 May93 TM 11-5855-238-23&P:UnitandDirectSupportMaintenanceManual,VGs,GroundUse,AN/PVS-5,-5A,-5B,and-5C,15Nov93 TM 11-5855-249-10:Operator'sManual,Viewers,Driver'sNightVision,AN/WS-2(V)1,-2(V)1A,-2(V)2,-2(V)2A,and-2(V)3,15Jan93 TM11-5855-249-23&P:UnitandDirectSupport MaintenanceManual,Viewers,Driver'sNight Vision,AN/VVS-2(V)1,-2(V)1A,-(V)2,-2(V)2A,and2(V)3,1Jun94 TM11-5855-262-10-1:Operator'sManual,NVGs,AN/PVS-7A,15 Feb89 TM11-5855-262-10-2:Operator'sManual,NVGs,AN/PVS-7B,15 Jul94 TM 11-5855-262-23P-1:UnitandDirectSupportMaintenanceManual,NVGs,AN/PVS-7A ,15 Mar93 TM 11-5855-262-23P-2:UnitandDirectSupportMaintenanceManual,NVGs,AN/PVS-7B ,15Mar93 TM 11-5855-264-14:Operator's,AviationUnit,DirectSupport,andGeneralSupportMaintenanceManual,TestSet,ElectronicsSystem,15Mar93 TM11-5855-264-24P:AviationUnit,IntermediateDirectSupport,andGeneralSupport MaintenanceRepairPartsandSpecialToolsListforTestSets,ElectronicsSystem,

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TS-3895/UVandTS-3895A/UV,15 May92 TM11-5855-297-12&P:Operator'sandUnitManual,AimingLight,Infrared,AN/PAQ-4A,15Sep90 TM11-5855-299-12&P:Operator'sandUnitMaintenanceManual,TestSet,Electronic Systems,TS-4348/UV,15 Nov92 TM11-5855-302-12&P:Operator'sandUnitMaintenanceManual,AN/PAS-13

ThermalWeaponSight,1Jan97 TM11-5855-304-12&P:Operator'sandUnitMaintenanceManual,AN/VAS-5Driver'sVisionEnhancer,15Aug96 TM11-5855-306-10:Operator'sManual,MonocularNVD,AN/PVS-14,30Dec97(advancecopiesonly)1TM11-5855-306-23&P:UnitandDirectSupportMaintenanceManual,Monocu-larNVD,AN/PVS-14,25 Sep98NVGLimitationsTekeytotrainingandoperating

safelyandefficiently with nightvisiongoggles(NVGs)isunderstandingtheirlimitations.heNVGsdiscussedhereworkonambientlightamplification(theyneedsomelighttofunction).heirlimitationsincludethefollowing: Limitation:Reducedfield-of-view(FOV).NVGscutthenormaldaytimeFOVofapproximately18 8degreestoabout40 degreesFOValossof148degreesofvisualfield.ontrol:Theusermustuseindividualscanningtechniquestomakeupforthislimitation. Limitation:Reduced visualacuity(sharpnessofvision).TheverybestvisionNVGscanprovideisnotasgoodasdaytimevision.ormalvisionis20/20;theverybestNVGscanprovideis20/25to20/40-andeventhisispossibleonly withoptimumhighillumination,correctgoggleadjustment,andahigh-contrasttarget.Aseitherilluminationorcontrastdecreases,visualacuityalsodrops.Control:Leadersshouldrequirecrewstoslowdowninlowlightandpoorvisibility.Additionally,provideasolidtrainingprogramthat requiresconsistentusageinalllightandcontrastconditionstobecomeandremainproficient. Limitation:Reduceddepthperceptionanddistanceestimationability.Wenormallyusebothmonocular(oneeye)andbinocular(twoeyes)visiontopick upcuesthatenableustoestimatedistanceandperceivedepth.WithNVGs,weprimarilyusemonocularcues.orexample,whenweviewside-by-sideobjectsofdifferentsizesthroughanNVG,thelargeroneappearstobecloserthanthesmaller.

WhenweviewoverlappingobjectsthroughanNVG,theonethat overlaps-thatis ,theoneinfrontseemstobecloser.naddition,someobjectsviewedthroughNVGsmayappeartobefurtherawaythan theyactuallyare.heprincipalreasonisthatwe tendtoassociatelossofdetailsharpnesswithdistance.ntheotherhand,lightsourceshatarenotassociatedwithaterrainfeature(forexample,alightatopatower)appeartobecloserthantheyactuallyare.ontrol:Usersmust beawareofthesecuesandalsothat theymaytendtooverestimatedistanceandunderestimatedepth,particularlyinlowlight. Limitation:Darkadaptation.hehumaneyerequirestimetoadaptfromdaytonightvision.hat'swhypeoplecanbarelyseewhentheyfirstenteradarkmovietheaterduringthedaytime;theireyesneedtimetoadjustoradapttothedarkness.oitiswith NVGs.sersarebasicallyseeingadim-dayview,so whentheytakeofftheNVGs,theireyesneedtimetoadapt todarkness.Control:TheamountoftimetheyneeddependsonhowlongtheNVGswereused,but mostpeopleachieveabout75percentdarkadaptation within30secondsofremovingthegoggles.hisisespeciallyimportanttoknowinsituationswheresoldiersuseNVGsasbinocularsbyholdingthem uptotheireyesandthentakingthemdown.ToovercomeNVGlimitations,itisimportant totrainsoldiersonthoselimitations,train themon what willandcanbeseenthroughtheNVG,andprovidethemampleopportunitiestousethisskill.POC:CW5BillAltman,USASCNightVisionDevicesManager,DSIM558-2785(334-255-2785),altmanw@safety-emh1.army.mil

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AccidentReview

Si'^i

ABradleyplatoonwasparticipatinginanightlive-fireexerciseaspartofaLimitedUserTest(LUT)whenadismountedsoldierpositionedinthetrenchwasstruckandfatallyinjuredbytwo5.56mmrounds.TheLUTwasbeingconductedtoevaluatethenewM2A3BradleyFighting

Vehicle(BFV)andreconfigurationoftheplatoon'sdismountedsoldierstoa3-squad,9-man-per-squadconfiguration(3x9).riortrainingwasconductedforthemountedBradleycrews,toincludeconductof fireandreticleaimproficiency,aswellasnewequipmenttrainingandadvancedtrainerproficiency.hedismountedtrainingincludedindividualweaponsqualification,squad/dismountedplatoonmaneuvertraining,andlive-fireexercises.valuationhadbeenongoingforseveralweeks.heBFVfiringtableswereusedasabaselineforthetesting.TheplatoonhadprogressedtoBradley

NightLiveFire(FromTrenchLineHazards

I Soldiersno thavingconfidenceinNVDsI Notidentifying targetsbeforeengagingI Sectorsof fireno t visiblelRangefanmarkersno t visible

s3fflJS?JfAdequatelyilluminaterangefanlimits

TableXIIB,PlatoonNightQualification,andpreparedforthenightlive-fireexercise. day,dryrehearsalforthenightlivefire,toincludethetroopdismountandoccupationofthetrenchline,wasconductedandanightrangesafetybriefingwasgiven.Attheonsetofthenightlive-fireportionoftheLUT ,theplatoonproceededdown rangetoconductBradleyFiringTableXIIBlivefire.heBFVsmadeseveralengagementsbeforereachingthebattleposition.ncethere,thethreesquadsofninepersonneldismountedtheBFVsandmovedtoatreelinetothenorth.heythenmovedwestalongthetreelinetoapositionadjacenttotheintendedtrench,whichfacedwest,down range.hethreesquadsenteredthetrench withtheaccidentsquadenteringlastandoccupiedadefensiveposition.hesquadwasarmedwith threeM249 squadautomaticweapons( SAWs )andsixM16A2/203rifles.wooftheSAWgunnerswereequippedwithAN/PVS-4nightvision

devices(NVDs)andthethirdwasunaided.herestofthesquadwasequippedwithAN/PVS-7Bnightvisiongoggles(NVGs) .Thesquadleadertacticallypositionedthedismountsaccordingtothethreat,aspracticedduring therehearsal.

ControlssoldiersonNVDuseandlimitationsIveIDoftargetsprior toengagement^lishspecificindividualsectorsoffire

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fill

S Iyoursoldi

Eachdismountwastoldhissectoroffirewouldbe12o'clockdownrange.Becauseofthevaryingdepthofthetrench,sevenoftheninesquadmembershadtoassumesemi-pronepositionslyingonthebermontheforwardedgeofthetrench.helineardesignofthetrenchwasslightlyjagged,resultinginsomedismountpositionsbeingslightlyforwardofothers.Whilewaitingonthetargetstoberaised,thesoldierswerehavingdifficultyfocusingtheirnightvisionequipment.Theyalsowerenotabletoidentifytherightrangefanmarkerthat wasapproximately50meterstotherightfrontbecauseitwasnotilluminated.omesquadmembershadevenremovedtheirgogglesfromtheirheadmountsandusedtheminthe"binocular"mode.Whenthefirstsetoftargetswasraised,theywerenotseenbythedismounts,sowerenotfiredupon.hetargetsintendedfordismountedfirecouldbeseenbytheBFVcrewswiththeaidoftheirnightsights;thus,theBFVcrewpromptedthedismountedplatoonviaradiothattargetswouldbeappearing.Whentheseconditerationoftargetswasraised,theBFVcrewfiredonthetargetswiththeircoaxialgun.hedismountedsoldiers,observingtheBFV'scoaxtracers,alsoengaged.uringthethirdfiringengagement,thesquadsafetyofficerwhohadbeenpatrolling/observingtheengagementfrombehindthetrench,observedtracersfiringtotherightoftherangefanmarker.Heimmediatelycalledacease-fire,enteredthetrench,andseizedtheweaponthatappearedtobethesourceofthetracers.Results.Adismountedsoldierhadshiftedhisbodywhileinthepronepositionandsubsequentlybecamedisoriented,andfiredseveralroundsoutsideofhissectoroffire,pasttheright

rangefanmarker.Anothersquadmemberwhohadbeenpositionedslightlyforwardinthetrenchwasstruckandfatallyinjuredbytherounds.Hazardsdentified. SoldiersdidnothaveconfidenceinNVDs. Targetswerenotidentifiedbeforeengaging. Sectorsoffirewerenotvisible. Rangefanmarkers

werenotvisible.

iff

>'v-

''iy^

withNWPsIt :V

Controls. AdequatetrainingforuseofNVDs.TrainingandadditionalexposuretoNVDsminimizesoldier'sdiscomfortintheiruseaswellasincreaseconfidence. Positiveidentificationoftargetspriorto engagement.herangesafetybriefandSOPcitedthisasarequirement,butmanysquadmemberselectedtofollowtracersasa

methodoftargetorientation. Establishspecificindividualsectorsoffire.fficialArmysoldieringguidance,STP7-11BCHM14.SM-TG,citestheimportanceof markingtheleftandrightlimitsofindividualsectorsoffire.Sectorstakescanprovidelimitsformovement,especiallyduringlimitedvisibility.ieldexpedientmethodssuchasuseofrocks,sticks,tentpegs,orammomagazinesprovideforgoodtacticalcoverageaswellasservingasacontrolmeasurefortheriskoffratricide. Adequatelyilluminaterangefanlimitsduringtrainingexercises.AlthoughtherangesafetySOPcitesilluminationasarequirement,live-firetrainingwasscheduledandconductedwithout properilluminationofthetrench'srightrangefanmarker. POC: LTCPeteSimmons,Chief,GroundSystemsDivision,USASC,DSN558-2926(334-255-2926),simmonsp@safety-emh1.army.mil

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FromTheTroopsWhatistheconcern?Aanalysisof1986-1996groundvehicleaccidentsinvolvingnightvisiondevicesrevealsthat theinabilitytodetectahazardorobstaclewasafactorin43 percentoftheseaccidents.Overtwo-thirdsoftheaccidentswereattributabletothreecategoriesofterrainandroadwayhazards/obstacles:drop-offs-34percent,ditches-23 percent,andrear-endcollisionswithanothervehicle-11percent.Environmentalconditionsoftencitedascontributingfactorswere:dust-24percent,bloomingduetolightsources-9percent,andsmoke - 8percent.Nearlytwo-thirds(63percent)oftheaccidentsinvolvingdrop-offs(suddenchangesinelevationgreaterthan 3feetindepth)wereduetodetectionerrors.Thedriverseitherdidnotdetecttheobstacleordetecteditdirectlypriortoimpact.Illuminationlevelsalsoplayedaroleintheseaccidents.hemajority(85.1percent)oftheseaccidentsoccurredunderlowilluminationconditions.Clearly,goodriskmanagement wouldinvolveawarenessandconsiderationoftheexpectedilluminationlevels.Inanefforttodeterminewhyandhowtheseaccidentsoccur,aseriesofstudiesaddressedthehazardsassociatedwith nightvisiongoggle(NVG)usewhendriving.nonestudy,itwasshownthatNVGshaveadefinitedisadvantagewhenoperatinginasmokeenvironment.omesoldiersinthestudyhaddifficultyinlocatingobstacles(objectsinroadway),detectingpotentialhazards(ditcheswithelevationchanges3feetorlessindepth),andproperlynavigatingthetestcourseswhen usingAN/PVS-7BNVGsinasmokeenvironment.earlyathirdofthesoldiersreportedtheywereunabletoseeandfelttheycouldnotsafelynavigateduetothicksmokecoverage.

Inanotherstudy,theabilityofdriverstodetectdrop-offsusingAN/PVS-7BNVGswasevaluated.twasconcludedthatsomedriversusingNVGswouldhavebeenunabletodetectthedrop-offsintimetostopaBradleyFightingVehiclemovingat20mph,eventhoughthelightingconditionsweregoodandthedriverswereawareofandfamiliarwiththedrop-offs.Further,thedistanceatwhichadrop-offcouldbedetectedwasfoundtodependonthesurroundingenvironment.rop-offsoccurringinnaturalsurroundings(thosetypicalofcross-countrymissions)hadshorterdetectiondistancesthanthoseoccurringnearman-madesurroundings(thosecontainingbridgeabutments,buildings,pavedroads,etc.).horterdetectiondistancesgivethedriverlesstimetoidentifyandrespondtothehazard.hisindicatesthatdriversandcommandersneedtoexercisegreatercautionandenhancedawarenesswhendrivinginnaturalsurroundings.WhattodoaboutitIthasbeenfoundthatNVGskillsarehighlyperishable.SoldiersneedcontinuousNVGtraining,especiallyinperceptualanddecisionskills.heproperemphasisontrainingandkeyelementsofdriving withNVGswillallowthecommandertopracticeriskmanagementandenhancethesafetyandreadinessofthetroops.TomanagerisksassociatedwithNVGdrivingDriversshould: HaveadequatetrainingandrecentexperienceusingNVGswhiledriving. UnderstandtheadjustmentstoandfunctionsoftheNVGs(focusingandinterpupillaryadjustment). KnowtheNVGs'capabilitiesandlimitations(performanceundersmokeorzeromoonconditions). Beawareofpotentialterrainhazards

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(drop-offs,ditches,personnel,etc.).Eitherperformadaytimereconnaissanceofthearea,orreviewterrain hazardsonamapoftheareaduring theplanningstagesofthemission. Realizewhichvisualcuesindicateterrainhazards. Usegroundguideswheninunfamiliarterritory. Knowhowtorespondtoemergencysituations.Uniteadersshould: Assessrisksrealisticallyandplancontrolstoreducethehazards. Traindriversonnightvisiontechniques,sensoryillusionsatnight,andthecapabilitiesandlimitationsofNVDs. Ensurethatdriversarefullytrainedandqualifiedontheirvehicles. EnsurethatNVDshavebeenproperlyservicedandareingoodworkingorder. Emphasizetheterrain hazardsandtheimpactoflowlightlevelsontheequipmentandpersonnel.

Stressthedangersofoverconfidenceineitherequipmentorpersonnelabilitytooperateunderadverseconditions.ClosingthoughtsSuccessfulmanagementoftherisksassociatedwith usingNVGsfornightdrivingcanbeaccomplishedthroughthecombinationofathoroughassessmentofthoserisks,effectivetraining,andinvolvementof unit leaders.hiswillinturnresultintheincreasedsafetyofsoldiersduring nightoperations.Editor'snote:Theconten tsofthisarticleareth eexpressedopinionsan dviewsofth eauthoran ddonotnecessarily representthoseofth eU.S.ArmySafetyCenterorth eU.S.Army.

ThisarticlewasauthoredbyScotBest,EngineeringPsychologist,NavalAirWarfareCenter-AircraftDivision,Human EngineeringApplicationsBranch,PatuxentRiver,MD,(301)342-9270,bestpsnavair.navy.mil

SafetyofUseMessagesTefollowing isalistofselectedsafetyof usemessages(SOUMs)issuedbyArmyTACOM-Warrenfor4QFY98and1QFY99.ompletecopiesareavailablefromtheArmyElectronicProductSupportBulletinBoard websiteatwww-aeps.ria.army.mil AMSTA-IM-O,211154ZAug98 ,subject:SOUM,TACOM-WRNNo.98-13,Spreader,lifting,frontcont,20 ft.,LINU12203,LinefastCorp.,NSNs3990-00-296-9398and3990-01-128-0089,andisometrics,NSN3990-01-258-2010.Summary:Unitsareremindedthatthemaximumratedliftcapacityforthesubjectspreaderbarsremains44,800pounds,asmarkedontheframes.POC:WayneKraenzlein,DSN786-8201(810-574-8021),kraenzlw@cc.tacom.army.mil AMSTA-IM-O,101227ZAug98 ,subject:SOUM,TACOM-WRNNo.98-12,"Technical"DeadliningoftheliftingcapabilityfortheHeavyEquipmentRecoveryCombatUtilityLiftandEvacuationSystem(HERCULES) ,NSN2350-01-390-4683,modelM88A2 ,LIN :R50885.Summary:Duetothediscoveryof

castingcracksintheshoetree,HERCULEScrewmemberswillnotusetheboomforliftinganyloadunderanycircumstances.POC:RickyMitchell,DSN786-7571(810-574-7571),mitchelr@cc.tacom.army.mil AMSTA-IM-O,191400ZOct98 ,subject:SOUM,TACOM-WRNNo.99-01,"Operational"M1000HeavyEquipmentTransporterSystem(HETS)Semitrailer,NSN2330-01-303-8832,LINS70859.Summary:Usersarenotauthorizedtoload/haulanyAbramstank with themine-clearingblade,attachedorunattached,ontheM1000HETsemitrailer.hemine-clearingblademustberemovedfromthetankandtransportedseparately.POC:CaseyPardo,DSN786-5795(810-574-5795),pardoc@tacom.army.mil

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InfoTechCorner,ic

Year2000compliantaccidentdatasystemalmostreadyOerthepast18months,weattheSafetyCenterhavebeenworkinghardtoreplacetheaccidentdatabasewithanewsystemthatisyear-2000(Y2K)compliant.urprimaryfocusis

toimproveyourabilitytogettheinformationyouneed.henewsystemisexpectedtobeoperationalby2February1999.However,thiswillinvolvetakingtheoldSafetyCenterdatabaseserver(ArmySafetyManagementInformationSystem[ASMIS] )off-lineandbringingthenewdatabaseserveron-line.heresultis

that,asof2February1999,youwillnolongerhaveaccessto theSafetyCenterdatabaseusingtheASMISRetrievalandProcessingSystem(ARPS).

YouwillbeabletoaccessthenewaccidentdatabasethroughaseriesofusertoolsplacedontheRiskManagementInformationSystem(RMIS )athttp://rmis.army.mil.hesetools,whichfunctionallyrepresentknowninformationrequeststotheSafetyCenter,willbelocatedunderabutton called"Database."Werealizethat therewillbeadditionalinformationrequirementsnotcurrentlycoveredbythisinitialsetoftools.Asaresult,yourfeedbackisnowmoreimportantthanever.Ifyouhaveagoodidea,orhaveaproblem withourwebsitesorcan'tfindwhat youneed,oryou'rejusttotallyconfusedallyouhavetodois e-mailusathelpdesk@safety.army.mil

orcallDSN558-1390(334-255-1390) andletusknowwhatyouneed. s. RetaDysonorM r.JuniorKelleywilltrytofindasolutiontoyourproblem.IfyouhaveproblemsgettinganRMIS password,contactM s.JewnitaClarkatDSN558-3889.Ifithasbeenawhilesinceyouvisitedusorifyouneverhaveit'stimetotakealookforyourself.heusertoolsshouldbecompletedbythetimeyou readthis,sopayusavisitathttp^rmis.army.milorhttp:/feafety.army.milandkeepuptodateonwhat'shappeninginArmysafety. Keepintouch.We'reconstantlyupdatingoursiteso weca nmeetyourneedsandexpectations.

YouCanReachUsAthttp://safety.army.mil or http://rmis.army.milForHelpDesk,Ca l lDSN558-1390or334-255-1390February1999Countermeasure 12