THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF SOLDIER TOUCH POINTS


Ensuring Army systems and tools meet the needs of future warfighters. by Maureena Thompson


the Army calls them, are immersive testing and feedback mech- anisms through which Soldiers can provide valuable insights on how certain tools or equipment undergoing development will be used practically in the field. Te Army is using these touch points as it pursues a series of signature modernization systems to ensure any new solutions that are embraced are functional, durable and expertly tailored to the needs of Soldiers.


A


HARNESSING ITERATIVE INSIGHTS Soldier touch points provide helpful input to industry repre- sentatives, testers, researchers and acquisition experts on the capabilities Soldiers will need to fight and win. Te engagements can assist in pinpointing issues that may otherwise be overlooked, and in confirming or dispelling the need for development teams to address real or perceived technological challenges. Touch points have also proven essential in evaluating what might be a promising idea in a laboratory but a less feasible one in the field.


While Soldier-centered design may seem like a natural step, it has not always been a prominent feature of Army acquisition and modernization processes. Lt. Gen. Tomas H. Todd III, deputy commanding general of acquisition and systems develop- ment, and chief innovation officer at Army Futures Command, describes the new approach as a full life-cycle commitment to evolving Soldier needs. “ 'A persistent Army capability environ- ment' [PACE] enables continuous modernization. Soldier touch points are the cornerstone of a PACE. By putting the Soldier at the center of modernization, we use feedback to inspire inno- vation, solidify our technologies through continuous iteration and validate our technologies in real time.” (Read more about


20 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2022


s the Army seeks to modernize everything from the way it operates to the equipment it fields, it is look- ing more and more to Soldiers on the ground to inform future requirements. Soldier touch points, as


Soldier-centered design in “All About U,” from the Spring 2021 issue of Army AL&T at: https://go.usa.gov/xtdNP.)


In embracing the PACE approach to modernization, Army Futures Command has refocused development objectives on users, who will naturally have the greatest understanding of which solutions will best meet their needs. In turn, the command’s eight cross-functional teams, which serve to accelerate modernization progress across six priority areas, are employing Soldier touch points frequently and strategically to ensure optimal modern- ization outcomes.


“Te Soldier is at the center of everything we do,” Todd explained, underscoring that gaining Soldier insights early in the process and throughout iterative developments makes modernization efforts


SECURING SAFETY MEASURES


The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory worked with active-duty and National Guard Soldiers in 2021 to test its new Load Stability System - Litter Attachment (LSS-LA). The LSS-LA stabilizes otherwise wobbly hoist lines to create a safer medevac environ- ment. Aeromedical Research Laboratory researchers worked with pilots, Soldiers and product developers to simulate rescue missions in difficult conditions and terrains, using feedback collected to enhance the LSS-LA prototype.


A group of 82nd Airborne Soldiers also demonstrated use of the LSS-LA at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, during Project Convergence 2021, as captured in video at: https://go.usa.gov/xtN2H.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140