Army Seeks Sensor Tech to Assess Blast Impacts on Troops

New sensors would measure physiological effects of explosions and shockwaves on soldiers.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:04pm

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The U.S. Army is conducting market research on sensor technologies that could better assess the physiological impacts of blast overpressure and explosions on military personnel. This comes as the military has faced growing concerns over the long-term health effects of exposure to IEDs, drones, and other weapons during recent conflicts.

Why it matters

For years, the military has struggled to fully understand and address the harmful health impacts that blast exposure can have on troops, including traumatic brain injuries, digestive issues, and mental health problems. This new sensor technology could provide critical data to help the military better monitor, treat, and prevent these blast-related injuries.

The details

The Army is looking for sensors that can measure a range of physiological outputs, including heart rate, respiration, eye movement, gait, blood oxygen levels, and electrical brain activity. This data would help the military establish baselines and better assess the effects of rapid, damaging shockwaves from explosions, drones, and other weapons. The request for information comes as the military has entered a 'new phase' of studying blast overpressure after years of neglecting the issue, which has impacted troops across different military occupations.

  • In 2024, 10 New York National Guard soldiers received Purple Hearts after a drone attack in Jordan.
  • In 2020, over 100 service members experienced brain injuries from an Iranian attack on an airbase in Iraq.
  • Earlier this year, military researchers said they've entered a 'new phase' of studying blast overpressure effects.

The players

U.S. Army

The U.S. Army is seeking new sensor technologies to better assess the physiological impacts of blast exposure on military personnel.

U.S. Central Command

According to U.S. Central Command, a significant majority of troops wounded in the recent conflict with Iran have returned to duty, though blast-related symptoms can take time to manifest and assess.

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What’s next

Responses to the Army's request for information on blast overpressure sensors are due by April 16.

The takeaway

This new sensor technology could provide critical data to help the U.S. military better understand, monitor, and address the long-term health impacts that blast exposure has had on troops over the past two decades of conflict.