Session: 07-01-02: Injury Sensing and Mitigation

Paper Number: 165264

Enhancing Awareness and Mitigation of Blast Pressure Exposure in Military Training: The Blast Overpressure Tool 

Recent experiences of Service members in conflicts and training environments have raised concerns about the impact of blast pressure exposure on brain health. These effects on physical and cognitive performance threaten force performance, readiness, and long-term health.  While steps can be taken to mitigate unnecessary exposures in training, Service members are often unaware of likely blast pressure exposures for various locations on the range.

 The Blast Overpressure (BOP) Tool is a software application that was developed to predict and inform users of blast overpressures from weapon systems.  The BOP Tool provides Service members with customizable predictions of blast overpressure exposures to account for their individual weapon systems and training environments. The BOP Tool supports the Department of Defense's August 2024 memorandum, "Requirements for Managing Brain Health Risks from Blast Overpressure," and the December 2024 implementation guidance by providing Service members with awareness of exposures and information to support mitigation decisions.

The BOP Tool runs on a desktop computer and includes two modules for prediction of blast overpressure exposure for seventeen weapon systems including mortars, shoulder mounted rockets, howitzers, high powered rifles, and breaching charges. The Site Module provides information on predicted blast overpressure exposure zones around the weapon firing system as situated at the training site. This informs training area configuration to support decisions on reducing cumulative blast exposure (e.g., weapon placement; positioning and postures of personnel; site remediations).

The Scene Module predicts blast overpressure exposure on Service members by reconstructing blast overpressure scenes during heavy weapon training with animated, three-dimensional visualization. The Module estimates cumulative blast exposure on different body regions (e.g., head) including the implications of adjusting personnel postures and positions for evaluation of mitigation tactics. 

The BOP Tool improves comprehension of blast exposure and aids in developing safer protocols for military weapon training. It provides valuable information to training staff, unit commanders, and range managers about anticipated exposures, and also supports range management, research, clinical care, and weapon design decisions. This extensive support bolsters injury prevention and treatment throughout the acquisition process and the Service members' career. To expand its accessibility, a mobile version of the BOP Tool is being developed for increased access and use on training ranges.

By enhancing awareness and enabling informed decision-making, the BOP Tool is expected to significantly reduce the risk of blast-related injuries, thereby improving the overall health and readiness of Service members. Its implementation could lead to advancements in training safety protocols and contribute to the development of more effective protective measures and weapon systems.

Presenting Author: Raj Gupta DoD Blast Injury Research Coordinating Office

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Raj Gupta is Deputy Director and Senior Science Advisor at the DOD Blast Injury Research Coordinating Office (BIRCO), located at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), Fort Detrick, Maryland. In these roles, Dr. Gupta provides senior level consultation on research programs, with senior level scientific, programmatic, and strategic guidance on behalf of the Director and Executive Agent to ensure a fully coordinated DOD Blast Injury Research Program. In addition, Dr. Gupta provides oversight and coordinates the Military Health System (MHS) Blast Injury Prevention Standards Recommendation (BIPSR) Process.

Dr. Gupta is a retired US Army Colonel and an accomplished research and development executive with more than 35 years of experience in biomedical research and development at every level, from investigator to senior management. His demonstrated skills include leadership; planning, marketing, management, and oversight of research and development programs; program evaluation; and policy and process development and implementation. His expertise includes poly-trauma and blast injuries; computational modeling; pesticide development; toxicology; medical/veterinary entomology; animal and human use review; partnership negotiations; management and oversight of drug, vaccine, devices and medical information product development; systems engineering and financial planning at the project, program, and strategic levels. Dr. Gupta's specific experience as a biomedical science and technology manager has provided him in-depth knowledge of the Department of Defense biomedical research, development, and acquisition processes and life cycle. His research has directly resulted in five products being fielded for use by the Soldier. Most notable are the controlled release insect repellent, sunscreen insect repellent combination, camouflage face paint insect repellent, and a new self-supporting bed net.

Dr. Gupta has a PhD in Entomology from Washington State University, Pullman, Washington and is Level III certified as a Systems Planning, Research, Development & Engineering - Science and Technology Manager. He holds four patents and authored more than 70 publications and three book chapters.

Authors:

Raj Gupta DoD Blast Injury Research Coordinating Office
Elizabeth Brokaw The MITRE Corporation
Andrew Dominijanni The MITRE Corporation
Harsha Garimella CFD Research
Lisa Lalis The MITRE Corporation
Michael Oliver The MITRE Corporation
Dave Palmer Federal Strategies LLC
Andrzej Przekwas CFD Research
Rachel Spencer The MITRE Corporation