Force Protection Partnership

Force Protection is a South Carolina company that manufactures armored vehicles. Research is now being conducted to develop new diagnostic procedures and treatments for brain trauma that will assist Force Protection in the design, development, and manufacture of armored military vehicles for the U.S. military better able to protect their human cargo.

Force Protection’s support has enabled MUSC to acquire a $1.5 million Siemens MRI scanner for research on brain injuries. The sophisticated scanner has twice the field strength of a conventional MRI, and uses multi-channels to enable researchers to see details of the brain as it is being imaged.

Combining the medical research expertise of MUSC and the engineering expertise of Force Protection will result in best-in-class service and treatment for those who have suffered devastating brain injuries, specifically those due to combat explosions. Tests have begun on “phantom” heads. Initial studies show that after the phantom heads are exposed to explosions there is little change in appearance. However, after further examination, the “brain” of the phantom shows an inability to transfer liquid, which parallels a human brain’s ability to transfer information from one area to another. Force Protection will use this research to develop more explosive-resistant military vehicles, while the Brain Imaging Center will use the findings to better detect and treat traumatic brain injury caused by any number of reasons.