Challenge Statement

From the perspective of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, current ballistic protection systems are heavy, bulky, limit mobility, contribute to overheating and discomfort and alter natural movement biomechanics which may increase the risk of injury. In addition, current ballistic protection does not offer much modularity or scalability that might enable adoption of less burdensome solution and improve integrated survivability. The Department of National Defence is looking for means to significantly improve any of these characteristics in order to increase survivability, personnel performance, and unit effectiveness.

Background and Context

The CAF will continue to deploy to areas of operation where ballistic and blast are the main threats to the survivability. CAF personnel must wear protection to counter these threats while performing very physically demanding tasks, often under very harsh environmental conditions. The most challenging situation, in which lightweight ballistic protection is required, involves infantry, combat engineers, medics, and combat support who may not have vehicle transportation nearby for support. Soldiers routinely carry loads comprising weapons, ammunition and other combat supplies, protection (including ballistic), communications and sensing equipment, portable power, water, and other sustainment items. Even for short duration missions, soldiers carry in excess of 40 kilograms, depending on their role and mission.

The concept of integrated survivability is defined by the consideration of all factors influencing CAF personnel survivability, including the efficiency of protective equipment as well as its effects on personnel performance and its interaction with the environment. For example, while a protective system may reduce the probabilities of sustaining an injury following a ballistic impact, the same system may increase the probabilities of being detected, engaged and hit, which ultimately leads to an overall decrease in survivability.

Outcomes and Considerations

The desired outcome of this research effort is the enhancement of efficient soldier ballistic protection, thereby allowing the right balance of protection, mobility, weight, and ergonomics while maintaining high soldier survivability.

Some considerations are, as follows:

• Lighter weight, reduced bulk, more flexible, and/or more breathable materials and system designs to achieve the same levels and coverage of protection or to improve the outcome and quality of life of those who survive ballistic injuries; and
• Ballistic protection materials and system designs that mitigate health and soldier performance impacts of wearing ballistic protection over extended periods in challenging operational environments, while ensuring an adequate level of protection.