Aviation Life Support System Management Program

Download or read book Aviation Life Support System Management Program written by Department of the Army and published by . This book was released on 2009-10-15 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Training Circular 3-04.72 provides technical information concerning Aviation Life Support System (ALSS) management and training programs. This circular is designed for commanders, their staffs, small unit leaders, and technicians who have responsibility for ALSS management. This circular supersedes Field Manual 3-04.508. Aviation life support equipment (ALSE) enhances and sustains the safety of aircrews and passengers throughout the flight environment. ALSE incorporates comfort into items designed to provide individuals with an increased degree of survivability and recovery during an aviation mishap. The Army prepares its Soldiers to operate anywhere in the world; this publication outlines training to assist aircrews operating in unique environments.1-1. ALSS program management has evolved from a basic vision of establishing dedicated, safetyenhanced Army aviation equipment to a program of overarching components within a life support system. The guiding theory originally focused on ever-advancing equipment for aviators; however, it soon developed into the management of an entire system encompassing not only personal equipment but also the component systems dedicated to individual aircraft. The Air Warrior (AW) program was developed from this evolutionary process. This program includes current and future development of state-of-the-art equipment to enhance safety and provides crewmembers with situational awareness and functional yet comfortable equipment. 1-2. The AW program has long been designated by the Army as the focal point for all ALSE lifecycle management. In 1983, two organizations under direction of the Army Materiel Command-the ALSE Manager's Office and ALSE Development Team-merged to form a single office, Product Manager- Aviation Life Support Equipment (PM-ALSE). In 1996, PM-ALSE was reorganized as the Aircrew Integrated Systems (ACIS) Project Office with a mandate to validate ALSS effectiveness and ensure its full integration with mission equipment worn, carried by, or readily accessible to aviation crewmembers. 1-3. In 2000, the ACIS Project Office reverted back to a PM and was integrated into PM-Aviation Electronic Systems (PM-AES). Major accomplishments included selection of the initial AW ensemble and appointment of the PM as the primary systems integrator for the AW program. 1-4. AW program goals are to improve aircrew safety, increase aircrew and passenger survivability, and enhance aircrew performance in today's sophisticated aircraft. AW provides crewmember equipment system integration, man-machine interface, weight savings, increased survivability, and a higher potential for improved mission performance at an overall reduced cost. AW also enhances downed crewmember survivability in escape and evasion situations. In 2002, PM-AES was integrated with Program Executive Office Soldier under the control of PM-Soldier Warrior as the newly renamed AW Product Office.