Heat illness continues to be one of the Army’s most persistent non-combat threats, affecting military readiness every year. To help address this challenge, BlackOhm participated alongside military leaders, medical professionals, and researchers at the U.S. Army Heat Center Heat Forum, contributing to discussions focused on improving heat injury prevention through advanced technology and real-time operational awareness.
The forum brought together experts from across the Department of Defense to examine emerging research, operational lessons learned, and innovative technologies that can reduce heat-related injuries during training and operations. Topics included physiological monitoring, environmental risk assessment, predictive analytics, and command decision support.
Real-Time Physiological Monitoring
BlackOhm highlighted its integrated Soldier Monitoring System and Alpha physiological monitoring platform, which combine GPS tracking with continuous biometric monitoring to provide commanders with a real-time understanding of Soldier status across the training area. By monitoring factors such as heart rate, skin temperature, movement, and heat stress indicators, the system helps identify individuals who may be approaching dangerous physiological limits before a medical emergency occurs.
The company’s technology has been employed during major military exercises, competitive events, and operational training environments where maintaining awareness of both Soldier location and health status is essential. Rather than replacing existing medical protocols, BlackOhm’s platform provides commanders with additional data that supports faster decision-making and earlier intervention.
Supporting Army Readiness
The Army continues to prioritize reducing preventable heat injuries as operational tempo increases and training occurs in increasingly demanding environments. Advances in wearable technology and predictive analytics offer new opportunities to enhance readiness while preserving the health of the force.
Participation in the Heat Forum reflects BlackOhm’s ongoing commitment to supporting Army initiatives that combine operational effectiveness with Soldier safety. By collaborating with military medical experts, researchers, and training leaders, the company continues refining technologies that improve command awareness and enable proactive risk management.
As wearable technologies become increasingly integrated into military operations, BlackOhm remains focused on delivering solutions that help commanders make informed decisions, reduce training risk, and improve overall mission effectiveness while protecting the Army’s most valuable asset—its Soldiers.
U.S. Army Heat Center Heat Forum
The Army Heat Center at Fort Benning, Georgia, hosts the annual Heat Forum to combat one of the leading causes of injury among soldiers. Originally launched as an ad hoc project in 2016, the Center officially formed in 2019 to research, track, and mitigate exertional heat illnesses. Fort Benning serves as the ideal headquarters for this entity because the installation historically records the highest number of heat casualties across the entire Department of Defense.
The 1-day hybrid event brings together 300 to 400 attendees, including military leaders, medical providers, and researchers. Attendees view live demonstrations of critical field-cooling techniques, such as ice sheeting and arm immersion troughs, which combat the approximately 500 cases of exertional heat stroke that the Department of Defense experiences annually. Through these educational efforts, the Center successfully reduced year-to-date heat stroke casualties at Fort Benning to a record low of 15 cases by late 2024.
