LEAP DEVELOPMENT & MILESTONES
Developed in response to a Naval Research Advisory Committee report, the Load Effects Assessment Program has evolved and progressed into the internationally recognized as the gold standard for measuring warfighter mobility, adopted by nations worldwide and formally recommended practice by NATO.
The British Army purchases a second LEAP systems for use by TommyWorks part of Integrated Soldier Systems.
NATO issues a standarization recommendation for LEAP to measure soldier mobility for equipment development, acquisition, and evaluation.
The Netherlands Armed Forces purchases a LEAP for use by the Soldier Innovation, Integration & Development (SOLIID) initiative of the NL MoD Center of Expertise on Soldier Modernization, the Clothing & Personal Equipment branche and TNO.
Research by DRDC is published in the journal Human Factors validating the orientation and practice protocol used with the LEAP system
The Singapore Armed Forces purchases a LEAP system for use by Soldier Systems Integration Lab, Center of Excllence for Soldier Performance.
The U.S. Army purchases a third LEAP system for use by the Integrated Soldier Systems Branch Soldier Systems Division, Warfighter Directorate, U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center.
The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) holds a LEAP workshop on international collaboration, with participation from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, USA, Netherlands, and Singapore.
The U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command requires a mobility attribute in for all materiel solutions, with evaluation to be conducted using the LEAP.
The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) publishes researh validating the scientific reliability of the LEAP system.
The U.S. Army purchases two LEAP systems for use by PM Soldier Warrior (PM SWAR), Product Director (PD) Soldier Systems & Integration (SS&I), and the Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC).
The Australian Defence Force purchases a LEAP system for use by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
The first study with the LEAP system is conducted by the USMC at Camp Lejeune, demonstrating the utility of the LEAP in differentiating between loads.
The Canadian Armed Forces purchase a LEAP system for use by Defence Research & Development Canada.
LEAP is approved for research with human subjects by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Successful pilot testing of the LEAP course.
LEAP is safety certified by Marine Corps Systems Command.
The first set of obstacles are built and technology integrated for the U.S. Marine Corps. Testing protocols and data measures are developed.
Detailed design of the course, obstacles, and technology.
Literature review, options analysis, comparative study, and requirements definition to build the foundation of the LEAP.
Initial efforts to study Marine loads and formulate plans with Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad of Marine Corps Systems Command.
Naval Research Advisory Committee report on Lightening the Load is released. “Adequate models do not exist that incorporate combat effectiveness parameters and predict human performance effects of weight.”