Laboratory Information:
Aeromedical Research Laboratory
MCMR-UAR-SI
P.O. Box 620577
Fort Rucker, AL 36362-0577
Website: http://www.usaarl.army.mil
Agency/Department: Dept. of Defense - Army
Region: Southeast
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Diana Hemphill
Phone: 334-255-6907
Fax: 334-255-6983
Email: diana.hemphill@amedd.army.mil
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The United States Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory
(USAARL) is located at Fort Rucker, Ala., the home
of Army aviation. It is one of six laboratories within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
USAARL was established in 1962 to provide direct aviation medical research support to all Army aviation
and
airborne activities. USAARL's mission has expanded over the 30 years since its activation to include
being
designated as lead medical laboratory for vision and acoustics research in 1974. An additional mission
to
conduct health hazard assessments and countermeasures research on air and tactical ground vehicles and
weapons systems was added in 1977. Nevertheless, its primary mission remains medical research support
of
Army aviation. To accomplish the mission, USAARL is configured into two research divisions: Aircrew
Health
and Performance Division and Aircrew Protection Division. On-site staff consists of 87 scientists and
engineers, technical support staff, administrative and general support personnel. USAARL also sponsors
contract research projects both onsite and at academic and other government facilities. Working together,
our
team of dedicated Army professionals and Department of Defense civilians conquers the challenges facing
today's ever-changing Army. Through our efforts, USAARL researchers enable our aviation soldiers to
fight
better, longer, stronger, smarter, and safer.
Mission of the Laboratory:
USAARL conducts research and development on health hazards
of Army aviation, tactical combat vehicles,
selected weapons systems, and airborne operations. Assesses the health hazards from noise, acceleration,
impact, and visual demands of these systems and defines measures to offset hazards. It assesses stress
and
fatigue in personal operating aviation systems and develops countermeasures. It assists in development
of
criteria upon which to base standards for entry and retention in Army aviation specialties. USAARL assists
other
U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command laboratories and institutes in research on the bioeffects
of
laser systems, medical defense against chemical agents, impact of continuous operations on individual
and
crew performance, development of improved means of patient evacuation and in the test and evaluation
of
medical equipment used in aeromedical evacuation. It assesses current life support equipment to identify
causes of failure and devises improved design. USAARL assists the combat developers and materiel
developers of new Army aviation and tactical combat vehicle systems to recognize and eliminate health
hazards
as early as possible in the developmental cycle. It conducts collaborative research with Department
of Defense
and federal agencies on medical research and development issues of common concern.
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Helmet impact and protection
- Aeromedical device testing and certification
- Aircrew communications and hearing protection
- Aircrew selection and retention
- Aircrew workload, performance, and sustainment, and pharmaceutical countermeasures
- Circadian rhythm effects on performance
- Cockpit displays, display/systems integration, and night vision goggles compatibility
- Corneal topography and optical aberration modeling
- Crashworthiness and injury protection
- Head supported mass effects on soldiers
- Health effects of repeated jolt
- Physiological status monitoring
- Safety and life support equipment evaluation
- Spatial disorientation, fatigue, and crew coordination
- Vision, visual performance, and vision standards
- Warfighter status monitoring
