RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Employing the same technology that created special effects for films such as "Terminator 2" and "The Polar Express," a team of scientists from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is engaged in a study here that will help the Air Force outfit its aircrews in the future.
The scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Human Effectiveness Directorate, with assistance from personnel at Brooks City-Base, are using computerized full-body scans of Randolph aircrew members - part of a process called an anthropometric survey - to determine their measurements and proportions.
"The data collected from our survey will be used to improve the sizing and design of personal protective equipment, aircrew workstations and other equipment made to fit the human body," said Col. John Oates, chief of the Undergraduate Flying Training and Standards Division for the Air Education and Training Command.
Col. Richard Clark, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, participated in the survey Thursday and he urged Team Randolph aircrew members to volunteer as well.
"The AFRL is always looking for ways to improve the combat effectiveness that sustains our competitive advantage as the world's premier Air Force," he said. "This anthro study is a great example of the efforts taken to keep us on the cutting edge and I encourage folks to participate. What you do here today will help enhance tomorrow's combat airpower."
The team is hopeful that 200 aircrew members from Randolph - including pilots, combat systems officer students and instructors - will participate in the survey, which is also open to Airmen from the other San Antonio bases. Volunteers are still needed.
The anthropometric survey is the first one the Air Force has conducted since 1967, when men and women were roughly an inch shorter and more than 20 pounds lighter than they are today.
There are also other differences between the Air Force population now and in 1967. At that time, aircrews consisted mainly of young white males. Now there are more women than ever and ethnic diversity is greater. In addition, the pilot population is older because of the larger number of active reservists.
"The bottom line is that the body shapes and sizes for the Air Force of 2008 are drastically different than they were for the Air Force of 1967," Colonel Oates said.
When the last survey was conducted, scientists used tape measures, calipers and other measuring devices. They continue to use those tools.
"Traditional anthropometric measurements are linear," said Scott Fleming, project manager and anthropologist with the AFRL/RH Biosciences and Protection Division, Biomechanics Branch. "We use the traditional measuring tools to compare to the historic database."
But now they're also turned to computer technology and a piece of equipment called the Cyberware Whole-Body Scanner that captures a three-dimensional map of a subject. The result is a more accurate picture because the 3-D map depicts body shape.
"This process gives you shape data," Mr. Fleming said. "You can custom-shape body armor with this data. The process is quite a bit more accurate."
The survey, which is taking place in Hangar 71, consists of three stations. The aircrew member first listens to a briefing describing the data-collection process, signs an informed consent form and answers demographic questions. Then the Airman changes into gray cotton scanning garments - form-fitting shorts for men, form-fitting shorts and sports bras for women.
The last part of the process is the landmarking/scanning station, where the subject is scanned three times in sitting and standing positions.
"We place 72 white stickers on the subject's body that represent anatomical landmarks," Mr. Fleming said. "These stickers are used as reference points for the scanner."
The scanning equipment - two computers and two lasers on each of four heads - completes the scanning process in 17 seconds, collecting data as it descends on rails. The result is a 3-D image with several hundred thousand data points 2 to 5 millimeters apart.
"It's pretty accurate for the whole body," said Mr. Fleming.
The entire process takes about an hour, about half as long as the traditional approach.
Mr. Fleming said scanning technology appeared in the 1990s, when airplane and clothing manufacturers used it to redesign products. But the subjects used for those surveys were from the civilian population and were not representative of aircrews.
Head scanners have also been used to redesign helmets and other headgear.
Mr. Fleming said the survey will take several years to complete. More data will be collected at other bases pending availability of funding.
"We need 2,000 to 3,000 subjects to get a statistically representative sample of aircrew," he said. "There are more women and there is more ethnic diversity, so we have to include that in the database."
Mr. Fleming said the survey will not only update an out-of-date database but will assist in the redesign of "flight equipment from head to toe," resulting in "huge logistical and financial savings" and offering the "best protection and care for aircrews."