Human Factors Evaluation of Prototype Visor Attachment Sub-systems and Review of Alternative Visor Designs (Evaluation des Facteurs Humains lies aux Prototypes de sous - Systemes de Fixation de Visiere et Critique de Concepts Alternatifs de Visieres)

Humansystems was tasked by DRDC Toronto formerly DCIEM to undertake a Human Factors HF controlled trial to evaluate the new Visor Attachment Sub-System VASS design and gather additional input to support the development of the Ballistic Visor Statement of Requirement SOR. A three-day field trial was undertaken at CFB Winnipeg over the period of October 6 - 8 1997. Thirteen regular force infantry soldiers completed a battery of human factors tests while wearing up to four different Visor Attachment Sub-System VASSVisor conditions in a repeated measures design two 12 face visors and a full face visor with the new VASS, and one half face visor with the old VASS. All tests included a helmet alone or no VASS condition as a baseline control. During each test, the order of conditions was balanced among participants. Human factors tests included assessments of attachment, usability, performance of select obstacle and battle tasks, marching, equipment, vehicle and clothing compatibility clash, and maintainability. Data collection included questionnaires, focus groups, performance measures and HF observer assessments. Weapons and equipment compatibility and durability were ranked as the most important criteria for VASS design, with weapons and equipment compatibility, and visual capability as the most important visor criteria. For compatibility, there were no significant differences between the VASS designs and considerable clash observed and reported for visor compatibility with the C4 mask for all visor conditions. Most participants were unable to acquire a sight picture with the full face visor while almost all participants were able to achieve a sight picture with the full face visor. Several visual and thermal attributes of the visors, attached to both VASS systems, were rated as Borderline to Barely Unacceptable field of view, visual distortion, thermal comfort, and ventilationfogging.