NATO Framework for Modeling and Simulation of Human Lethality, Injury, and Impairment From Blast-Related Threats and Its Practical Implementation to Support Blast Injury Research

Abstract Blast-related trauma was the predominate source of casualties within Iraq and Afghanistan and has maintained in the Ukraine conflict. Computational modeling is anticipated to accelerate discovery of novel solutions for mitigating injuries and reduce costs in research and development. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) saw the future value in a comprehensive, whole human blast effects modeling capability to counter emerging blast threats resulting in establishment of a research technical group (RTG) to develop a framework for the capability. The RTG performed a literature review demonstrating the lack of such a capability along with the necessary pieces needed for a framework. RTG development framework consists of: Model 1 Threat characterization: generates a computational representation of the blast-threat; Module 2 Biophysics: produces the relevant loading profile and predicts biomechanical, pathophysiological, and neurological responses; Module X Injury Prediction and Medical Diagnosis: provides predictions on injuries (e.g., fracture) and Module Y Medical Outcomes provides understanding of the clinical consequences (e.g., functional incapacitation) of those injuries. The framework can assist in mitigating blast injuries and their consequences on Service Member readiness. Key hurdles to its development include a lack of high rate material characteristics and siloed model development.