FEEDBACK LOOP


PARTNERSHIP


Soldiers and industry partners participated in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Rodeo at Fort Benning in March.


Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) program. Te government- industry shared investment in two flying technical demonstrators has provided significant knowledge points for advanced vertical lift technologies supporting the development of a UH-60 Black Hawk replacement with a Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. Te JMR-TD aircraft—the Bell V-280 Valor and the Sikorsky- Boeing SB1 Defiant—provided opportunities for several Soldier touch points, where on multiple occasions the Army has had pilots, crew chiefs, aircraft mechanics and infantry Soldiers assess each of the aircraft and provide feedback.


As members of the rifle squad conducted ingress and egress drills with their full kit, engineers took copious notes from comments on the cabin configuration, seat layout, restraint harnesses and headrests of the V-280. “Te headrests were somewhat of a hindrance when wearing the Kevlar helmet and would most likely be worse if we had our NODs [night optical/observation devices] attached,” commented Sgt. 1st. Class Vuthy Hamm, an opera- tions sergeant for the 2-506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.


“Tey took all of our feedback and were super interested in what we had to say about the aircraft,” 1st Lt. Gabriel Marsan, 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division said. “I think these touch points are valuable, because it brings the Soldier’s input into the design phase.”


CONCLUSION Continued collaboration while leveraging innovative approaches like Soldier-centered design to develop requirements and stream- line acquisition processes will ensure the Army gets the right capability into the hands of the warfighter today—not 10 years from now.


When asked if he thought the Soldier touch point was worth- while, Hamm responded, “In 16 years, I’ve never been asked for my input on a new piece of equipment. I’m honored to have our input and suggestions heard and hopefully impact future Soldiers.”


For more information, go to armyfuturescommand.com.


LISA FERGUSON is the communications director for the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team, located at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. She graduated from Troy University with a B.S. in print journalism and public relations in 2003 and completed Defense Information School in 2004. She’s spent more than 11 years in public affairs for the federal government, including the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.


24


Army AL&T Magazine


Fall 2021


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