Post by corsair67 on Dec 30, 2005 21:19:33 GMT 12
Interesting article from The Australian newspaper about a report issued by the DSTO on the effect of noise and vibration on paratroops carried in the Hercules.
Flights risk shaking fight out of troops
John Kerin
December 28, 2005.
PARATROOPERS who fly to war zones on an RAAF C-130 Hercules - the main transport plane of the Australian Defence Force - could be left too shaken up to fight.
A report by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation suggests engine noise and vibration aboard the C-130J transport aircraft can at least temporarily impair human motor and memory skills.
It suggests troops to be parachuted into war zones aboard a C-130J should be seated to avoid the aircraft's high-vibration zones - usually the cabin seating area nearest the engines.
It also suggests ADF medical staff and the often critically ill patients they evacuate from war and disaster zones should avoid sitting in these areas.
And though there are few long-term or chronic effects for healthy crew or passengers, some have reported back aches, stomach aches, temporary loss of feeling in the legs and fatigue.
The report says some types of airborne noise and vibration can harm passengers after as little as 30 minutes' exposure. Troops seated in high-vibration zones for long periods "might not be able to carry out their duties at peak level even some time after leaving the aircraft", it says.
"Alarmingly, there is some evidence that exposure to vibration might result in some suppression of reflex responses.
"In the absence of scientific evidence that the vibration environment of the C-130J has no significant impact on the physical and mental functioning required for military operations, (those involved in) airdrop and combat air-land operations should not be seated in the high-vibration zone for long periods."
The report says the impact of vibrations on patients is unknown but recommends passengers also not be seated in high-vibration zones for long periods.
The C-130J and its predecessor the C-130H are considered to be among the safest aircraft in the RAAF - but they have never been known for comfort.
The Hercules has performed outstandingly in ferrying troops and supplies in war zones and disaster zone evacuations.
Among solutions, the report suggests fitting the aircraft with padded seating and better insulation for the aircraft floor.
Flights risk shaking fight out of troops
John Kerin
December 28, 2005.
PARATROOPERS who fly to war zones on an RAAF C-130 Hercules - the main transport plane of the Australian Defence Force - could be left too shaken up to fight.
A report by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation suggests engine noise and vibration aboard the C-130J transport aircraft can at least temporarily impair human motor and memory skills.
It suggests troops to be parachuted into war zones aboard a C-130J should be seated to avoid the aircraft's high-vibration zones - usually the cabin seating area nearest the engines.
It also suggests ADF medical staff and the often critically ill patients they evacuate from war and disaster zones should avoid sitting in these areas.
And though there are few long-term or chronic effects for healthy crew or passengers, some have reported back aches, stomach aches, temporary loss of feeling in the legs and fatigue.
The report says some types of airborne noise and vibration can harm passengers after as little as 30 minutes' exposure. Troops seated in high-vibration zones for long periods "might not be able to carry out their duties at peak level even some time after leaving the aircraft", it says.
"Alarmingly, there is some evidence that exposure to vibration might result in some suppression of reflex responses.
"In the absence of scientific evidence that the vibration environment of the C-130J has no significant impact on the physical and mental functioning required for military operations, (those involved in) airdrop and combat air-land operations should not be seated in the high-vibration zone for long periods."
The report says the impact of vibrations on patients is unknown but recommends passengers also not be seated in high-vibration zones for long periods.
The C-130J and its predecessor the C-130H are considered to be among the safest aircraft in the RAAF - but they have never been known for comfort.
The Hercules has performed outstandingly in ferrying troops and supplies in war zones and disaster zone evacuations.
Among solutions, the report suggests fitting the aircraft with padded seating and better insulation for the aircraft floor.
