• High-risk combat operations such as in subterranean environments and dense urban areas will result in casualties. 

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• These high-risk operations require that all needed equipment be brought into the unknown areas with significant limitations imposed by the environment.

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• Given these variables, troops must pack for the worst-case scenarios, which means prioritizing for space and weight. 

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• A great asset for rescuing a casualty is a litter.  Typical combat litters and spine boards are effective in tight spaces or difficult terrain, and you can't jump in with most. 

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• They are difficult to manage and require more troops to be combat ineffective in dangerous combat situations by requiring two or two more hands be used to carry or drag a litter. 

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• The RSCU design enables no-hands drag evacuation, the semi-rigid cocoon design protects the casualty, and is capable of emergency lift/lower.