69. ANALYSIS, OPTIMIZATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIALIZED PASSIVE SHOCK ISOLATION SYSTEM FOR HIGH SPEED PLANING BOAT SEATS
The Mk V Special Operations Craft (SOC) is used to carry Special Operations Forces (SOF) into and out of combat operations. During operation, particularly during extended training missions, the passengers and crew have reported numerous cases of musculoskeletal injuries from operation in high sea states. This paper describes the analysis, development and operational testing of a highly specialized, non-linear, passive shock isolated seat for this craft. Initial sea trial testing of the isolation system resulted in positive operator feedback that correlated well with earlier field measurements and also validated the analytical predictions.