The Special Warfare Training Wing is the Center of Excellence for human performance and their mission is to advance human performance in air, space, and cyberspace. They required a solution that broadcasts real-time location data paired with biometrics, regardless of the operating environment. Somewear partnered with Guardian Premier Solutions, a human performance consultancy, to deliver a solution that empowers teams to operate safely in dynamic environments.
We knew where somebody was, but we didn’t know how they were doing. The majority of the time, the operators at risk were out of radio range, which meant medical intervention would only take place once we realized an operator’s position had been stationary for 10min+. Somewear’s sensor integration, which pairs biometrics with PLI (position location information) data, has allowed us to maximize safety through a real-time understanding of the force health.
The Challenge
As operators navigate a battlefield—often in treacherous, cell-denied terrain far from team members—the extreme conditions and operational pressures will quickly challenge their physical abilities.
Imagine an operator who has been navigating by foot for many hours in extreme conditions that is at the cusp of heat exhaustion. You might know where he is, but not how he is doing. To date, PLI (position location information) data has never been complemented with biometrics. The absence of biometric data means that medical intervention will not take place until an operator radios in for help—when conditions permit—or when leadership recognizes that an operator has been stationary for an excessive amount of time.
A reliance on solutions that don’t integrate with body-worn sensors fails to capture critical data that can help maximize the health and safety of operators.
The Solution
By integrating body worn-sensors with Somewear’s satellite-based solution, the Special Warfare Training leadership can use the web application to monitor operators’ heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, and body posture — in the most austere environments. Operators relay critical biometric data with every PLI data point to create a common operating picture that accurately represents the force health.
The Somewear platform allows leadership to define thresholds (i.e. 103* core body temp.) that trigger alerts when exceeded. The alerts empower teams to proactively respond to emergencies and provide medical attention immediately, ultimately maximizing safety.
In addition, the sensor integration has opened the doors to powerful data analysis that can identify trends in human performance and ultimately impact the future of operations. Based on human performance data, operations can be strategically modified to ensure peak performance and health at the most critical times.
The Results
- Increased safety by monitoring force health in any environment.
- Significantly increased response time to provide medical intervention.
- Introduced the ability to identify trends in historical human performance data.
Products
Global Hotspot
SATELLITEAn encrypted, resilient satellite solution that integrates into any kit. Ideal for asset tracking and for isolated personnel who require SATCOM to stay connected.
Grid
Web, iOS, Android, ATAKEstablish situational awareness that encompasses all assets and empower your team, from operator to command, to maintain complete control of missions.
Node
MESH & SATELLITEAn encrypted multi-network solution, combining the efficiency of mesh radios and resilience of satellite communication with SmartBackhaul™ technology.