Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) will present its latest innovations in military health, medical readiness, and Warfighter performance at the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS), held August 3–6 in Kissimmee, FL. MHSRS is the Department of Defense’s premier scientific meeting for military health research, drawing more than 3,700 attendees from across the military, government, industry, and academia.
Focused on the unique medical needs of the deployed Warfighter, MHSRS brings together operational medical providers, researchers, international partners, and industry leaders to accelerate advances in military‑relevant health care and technology.
ARA will highlight a diverse portfolio of research and emerging technologies that support critical MHSRS topic areas, demonstrating the company’s broad expertise in Warfighter Medical Readiness, Expeditionary Medicine, Warfighter Performance, and Return‑to‑Duty solutions.
This year’s ARA presentations include:
Real-world hearing protection performance
Field testing of an in‑ear monitoring system during UH‑60 Black Hawk ground operations reveals that actual hearing protection attenuation is often lower than lab-rated values. These findings identify a significant performance gap and emphasize the need for improved device fit, training, and operational assessment.
Hydrogel microbots for sight-saving eye treatments
ARA is advancing biocompatible hydrogel microbots capable of being injected into the eye to release thrombolytic drugs in response to temperature changes. This technology offers a novel approach for breaking down blood clots and mitigating vitreous hemorrhage – reducing recovery time and providing a safer alternative to current treatment options.
Autonomous CASEVAC and resupply using unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs)
ARA’s autonomous UGV technologies enable safer battlefield casualty evacuation and automated resupply missions. These capabilities reduce risk to Warfighters and increase the speed and consistency of critical medical and logistical support.
Gait analytics for musculoskeletal injury reduction
Instrumented insoles used during routine physical training can identify gait patterns associated with increased lower‑extremity musculoskeletal injury risk. This approach supports early intervention and personalized training strategies to strengthen Warfighter readiness.
Dynamic Blast Exposure Monitoring During Training
ARA and its partners are advancing body‑mounted blast sensing to quantify real‑world exposure during ground and naval weapons training. Using compact blast gauges, researchers collected detailed overpressure data across multiple weapon systems, revealing how personnel positioning and weapon setup influence exposure and identifying scenarios where gauges do not trigger. These findings provide critical baseline data to support medical research on sub‑concussive blast effects and help shape safer training practices that protect service members and strengthen readiness.
For more than 40 years, ARA has delivered mission‑focused solutions in human performance, biomedical research, and military health. With deep expertise in research, consulting, and technology development, ARA provides innovative, cost‑effective capabilities that enhance Warfighter performance, health, and safety worldwide.
Learn more at www.ara.com/health-solutions
