Packaging and Ergonomic Study of a Body Worn High Energy Microwave Attack Detector

Pulsed, high energy microwave attacks are known to cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, inability to concentrate, as well as other long term negative health consequences. Therefore, the most accepted theory on the form of Havana Syndrome attacks is pulsed, high energy microwaves. Havana Syndrome attacks are becoming more frequent with documented attacks happening globally. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has been developing a microwave detector that is portable, discrete, and unobtrusive to the wearer in response to the reported effects of Havana Syndrome attacks. The detector is worn by the user with the electronics, communications, antenna, and power supply fitting comfortably behind a standard employee badge. This paper will discuss the packaging development of the wearable electronics from a mechanical/electrical design perspective. Additionally, a human factors/ergonomics and field user survey effort was performed and will also be discussed. The detector is only a part of the entire μState™ system that Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is developing. How this wearable electronics package fits into the overall system will also be discussed.