Simulation based improved survivability of the soldier. Development of an integrated casualty reduction capability

It is not the casualty alone but the image of suffering portrayed by the media that has a profound effect on domestic opinion. The change of military employment in combination with the ‘zero casualty’ paradigm increased the need for a re-examining of the assessment methods still in use. Combination of the ongoing political, social and military developments requires an integral approach of casualty reduction analyses, including military as well as medical consequences. The soldiers’ survivability depends on his (additional) protective equipment as well as his ability to operate in a military organisation. The advantage of training and military maturity will offer additional protection. Smart commanders can mitigate risk with common sense and innovative approaches to force protection. Integral
survivability analyses should therefore include the synergy of the soldiers’ capability areas as defined in national soldier modernisation programs (SMP).
Within the Dutch SMP programme a study was initiated to analyse the present day dismounted soldiers threat spectrum. From this assessment it became evident that the operational threat to cope with is the ballistic threat: fragments and bullets. The reason was evident: no personnel equipment can guarantee a 100% ballistic protection level.
The combination of experimental ballistic research and computer simulation capabilities up to close combat level at TNO-Prins Maurits Laboratory enables us to cope with an integral survivability approach. In this paper we present the current state of our work.