Technical Reports

A technical report is a technical document that records and disseminates methods and results from research studies and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities. Technical reports are USAARL's principal method of in-depth reporting on technical subjects that are of interest not only to the department, agency, or command sponsoring the work, but also to external groups and laboratories in government, academia, and industry. Technical reports may vary in type, to include technical reports that present the findings of research or analyses or that provide guidance or instruction on matters important to the DoD, journal articles (open access and embargoed text) that have been published under an open access agreement with the publisher or published under a Creative Commons license, conference proceedings that include whole collections of papers presented at a symposium or workshop, and conference papers that could include an individual paper, briefing charts, or a poster presented at a workshop or symposium. For inquiries related to USAARL's technical report(s), contact usarmy-usaarl-library@health.mil.

Featured Reports

For more reports, please visit the technical reports archive page.

Download '2026-16' report PDF

SIZE:4.4 MB

DTIC #:AD1356241

TITLE:Critical Review of Anthropomorphic Test Device Anthropometry and Body Mass Distribution for Use in the Military Environment

AUTHOR(s):Rhodes, D., & McEntire, B. J.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Anthropomorphic testing devices (ATDs) provide a repeatable way to evaluate military seating systems. Military design standards, such as those set forth in standards MIL-S-85510 and MIL-S-58095 (AV) for helicopter cabin seats, outline the pass/fail criteria for testing seat strength with various occupant sizes and weights (Department of Defense [DoD], 1981; DoD, 1986). Rhodes et al. (2021) determined that the total weight of the Soldier and their equipment had increased since these standards were released. Recommended injury assessment reference values (IARVs) specific to military scenarios have been made (Air Force Life Cycle Management Center [AFLCMC], 2016; Bartol et al., 1990; Rhodes et al., 2022a; Rhodes et al., 2022b). Commercially available ATDs are commonly developed from their predecessors and components are reused if IARVs are associated with them. Researchers from the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory reviewed commercially available ATDs for their applicability to the military environment.

KEYWORDS:body mass distribution, ATD, anthropometric test device, military IARVs, injury assessment reference values, extremities, impact, anthropometry

Download '2026-15' report PDF

SIZE:5.6 MB

DTIC #:AD1356240

TITLE:Limitations associated with transcranial direct current stimulation for enhancement: Considerations of performance tradeoffs in active-duty soldiers (Reprint)

AUTHOR(s):Duffy, M., Feltman, K., Kelley, A., & Mackie, R.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method, popular due to its low cost, ease-of-application, and portability. As such, it has gained traction in examining its potential for cognitive enhancement in a diverse range of populations, including active-duty military. However, current literature presents mixed results regarding its efficacy and limited evaluations of possible undesirable side-effects (such as degradation to cognitive processes). To further examine its potential for enhancing cognition, a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, within-subjects design, was used to evaluate both online active-anodal and -cathodal stimulation on several cognitive tasks administered. Potential undesirable side effects related to mood, sleepiness, and cognitive performance, were also assessed. Active tDCS was applied for 30 min, using 2 mA, to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with an extracephalic reference placed on the contralateral arm of 27 (14 males) active-duty Soldiers. We report mixed results. Specifically, we found improvements in sustained attention (active-anodal) for males in reaction time (p = 0.024) and for sensitivity index in females (p = 0.034) and increased accuracy (p = 0.029) associated with executive function (active-anodal and -cathodal), and worsened working memory performance (active-cathodal; p = 0.008). Additionally, we found increased risk-taking with active-anodal (p = 0.001). tDCS may hold promise as a method for cognitive enhancement, as evidence by our findings related to sustained attention and executive function. However, we caution that further study is required to better understand additional parameters and limitations that may explain results, as our study only focused on anode vs. cathode stimulation. Risk-taking was examined secondary to our main interests which warrants further experimental investigation isolating potential tradeoffs that may be associated with tDCS stimulation.

KEYWORDS:working memory, attention, executive function, tDCS, active-duty Soldiers

Download '2026-14' report PDF

SIZE:11.1 MB

DTIC #:AD1356239

TITLE:A Wireless Forehead e-Tattoo for Mental Workload Estimation (Reprint)

AUTHOR(s):Huh, H., Shin, H., Li, H., Hirota, K., Hoang, C., Thangavel, S., D'Alessandro, M., Feltman, K., Sentis, L., & Lu, N.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Real-time monitoring of operator cognitive states can enhance the safety and performance of human-in-the loop systems. However, traditional electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) devices, with their bulkiness, dangling wires, and time-consuming setups, are restricting or impossible for monitoring operators' cognitive states while performing tasks in reality. In this study, we propose a wireless forehead EEG and EOG sensor designed to be as thin and conformable to the skin as a temporary tattoo sticker, which is referred to as a forehead e-tattoo. This e-tattoo employs adhesive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) composite-coated graphite-deposited polyurethane (APC-GPU) electrodes laminated with a battery-powered flexible printed circuit (FPC) for data acquisition and wireless transmission. The forehead EEG and EOG measured by this e-tattoo are correlated with mental workload during a dual N-back working memory task. The results confirm the feasibility of applying the wireless, low-profile, forehead e-tattoo for mental workload estimation.

KEYWORDS:EEG, wearable, mental workload

Download '2026-13' report PDF

SIZE:3.8 MB

DTIC #:AD1356237

TITLE:Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Aviator Performance During Simulated Flight (Reprint)

AUTHOR(s):Feltman, K., & Kelley, A.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising method for maintaining cognitive performance. Anticipated changes in rotary-wing aircraft are expected to alter aviator performance. A single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study evaluated effects of 2-mA anodal tDCS to the right posterior parietal cortex on aviator performance within a Black Hawk simulator. A mixed design with one between-subjects factor was assessed: stimulation prior to flight (20 constant min) and during flight (two timepoints for 10 min each). The within-subjects factor included active vs. sham stimulation. Randomly assigned to each stimulation group were 22 aviators. Aircraft state metrics derived from the simulator were used to evaluate performance. Subjects completed two flights (active stimulation and sham stimulation) with an in-flight emergency introduced at the end to assess whether the timing of tDCS application (prior to or during flight) affected the ability to maintain attention and respond to an unexpected event. Results found active stimulation during flight produced statistically significant improvements in performance during the approach following the in-flight emergency. Subjects in the during flight group maintained a more precise approach path with glideslope values closer to zero (M = 0.05) compared to the prior-to-flight group (M = 0.15). The same was found for localizer values (during flight, M = 0.07; prior-to-flight, M = 0.17). There were no statistically significant differences between groups on secondary outcome measures. These findings suggest stimulation during flight may assist in maintaining cognitive resources necessary to respond to an unexpected in-flight emergency. Moreover, blinding efficacy was supported with 32% of subjects correctly guessing when active stimulation was being delivered (52% correctly guessed the sham condition).

KEYWORDS:transcranial direct current stimulation, performance enhancement, aviation, sustained attention

Download '2026-12' report PDF

SIZE:924 KB

DTIC #:AD1351487

TITLE:U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory Fiscal Year 2025 Annotated Bibliography

AUTHOR(s):Science Information Center

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Open literature publications, technical reports, technical memorandums, oral presentations, and poster presentations by the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) are included in this annotated bibliography, this edition dated October 2025.

KEYWORDS:USAARL, annotated bibliography, FY25, aeromedical research

Download '2026-11' report PDF

SIZE:1 MB

DTIC #:AD1351486

TITLE:Recommendations for Specification Development for Helicopter Live External Attached Loads (LEAL)

AUTHOR(s):Rhodes, D., Ballard, M., Barazanji, K., & McEntire, B. J.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:A coordinated effort between U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center System Readiness Directorate (DEVCOM AvMC SRD), U.S. Army Aviation Mission Systems / Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) Injury Biomechanics and Protection Group (IBPG) is being pursued to develop a new military specification for helicopter live external attached loads (LEAL). LEAL is a mode of transportation by which humans are carried on a device that is attached via the exterior of Department of Defense rotary-wing aircraft. This mission is intended to be short range, delivering the individuals(s) to safety via the shortest flight practical. USAARL IBPG researched relevant literature, applying subject matter expertise, and contributed to the preparation, editing, and reviewing the draft LEAL specification.

KEYWORDS:live external attached loads, LEAL, standards, helicopter rescue, short range rescue, insertion/extraction, civilians, confined spaces rescue, roof-top rescue, water rescue

Download '2026-10' report PDF

SIZE:2.2 MB

DTIC #:AD1351387

TITLE:Physiological Monitoring Under Varied Conditions of Workload and Fatigue

AUTHOR(s):Kelley, A., Vogl, J., Duffy, M., Feltman, K., Atchley, J. A., Aura, C., Yue, X., McDermott, D., Melton, J., Gerstner, J., & Curry, I.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:In this study, we evaluated physiological outcomes under varied levels of fatigue and cognitive workload as well as performance on a number of tasks (including basic laboratory tasks, operationally relevant laboratory measures [simulated marksmanship, low-fidelity flight simulation] and high-fidelity simulated flight). The study objectives were: 1) To evaluate changes in physiological measurements and human performance under varied conditions of workload and fatigue; and 2) to evaluate the consistency of those changes or patterns across a variety of tasks, spanning cognitive function and functional performance outcomes.

KEYWORDS:simulated flight, cognitive workload, sleep deprivation, fatigue, operator state

Download '2026-09' report PDF

SIZE:2.4 MB

DTIC #:AD1351386

TITLE:U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory Editorial Guide

AUTHOR(s):Science Information Center

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:This editorial guide provides U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) personnel with guidance for preparing technical reports, memoranda, and other types of technical documents. This guide also summarizes information regarding publishing in the open literature. With the publishing of scientific material, a standardized publication style is important and necessary. This editorial guide and the examples in it, give USAARL personnel a single, readily available source for answers to questions that may arise when writing and preparing technical documents.

KEYWORDS:style guide, format, grammar, writing, publication, technical document

Download '2026-08' report PDF

SIZE:1.9 MB

DTIC #:AD1351385

TITLE:Updated Thoracolumbar Injury Assessment Reference Value Guidance for the Upright Seated Male and Female Occupant during Vertical Loading

AUTHOR(s):Rhodes, D., Johnson, B., Schlick, M., Logsdon, K., Willett, J., Vinson, A., Chancey, V. C., & McEntire, B. J.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:There is a need within the military crashworthiness community to provide occupant protection recommendations to seat designers and program managers to better protect Soldiers involved in rotary-wing mishaps. However, military seat specifications do not require biomechanical response measurements in the test surrogate (Department of Defense [DoD], 1986).The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory developed injury assessment reference curves (IARCs) for the Hybrid III 5th percentile female (HIII-5F) anthropometric testing device (ATD) representing small female occupants in vertical impact rotary-wing mishaps. Female post-mortem human subjects were exposed to the vertical accelerative loading conditions required in military specification MIL-S-58095A and match paired to the HIII-5F. The HIII-5F lumbar axial compressive load cell performance IARV was determined for a 10% risk of thoracolumbar spinal injury (AIS 2+). Furthermore, the executive summary of this report provided guidance from previous technical reports to provide IARV recommendations for the 50th and 95th percentile males.

KEYWORDS:lumbar spine, vertical accelerative testing, lumbar injury, vertical loading, injury assessment reference values, IARV, female, male

Download '2026-07' report PDF

SIZE:1.3 MB

DTIC #:AD1349413

TITLE:Real-Time Multi-Sensor Data Collection and Processing: Challenges, Opportunities, and Insights From an Expert Panel Survey

AUTHOR(s):Yue, X., Aura, C. J., Atchley, J. A.

ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT:Monitoring and evaluating aviator's cognitive states in real-time using neurophysiological and physiological signals recorded from wearable multi-sensor systems holds promise for enhancing flight safety and improving mission success. However, several key challenges must be addressed to realize this vision. These includes synchronizing signals across different modalities, implementing robust real-time data cleaning pipelines, developing effective methods for multi-sensor data fusion, and overcoming computational constraints associated with real-time processing and model inference. This report synthesizes expert insights gathered through the targeted survey, highlighting potential solutions to these challenges and outlining strategies for enhancing real-time cognitive state monitoring and performance prediction in operational cockpit settings.

KEYWORDS:multi-sensor recording, EEG, ECG, fNIRS, synchronization

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