January 2010
Emerging Defense Technologies
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January 2010
Synopsis of global emerging defense technologies for the ground warrior
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Emerging Defense Technologies
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Emerging Defense Technologies
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January 2010
January 2010
What’s Inside
Synopsis of global emerging defense technologies for the ground warrior
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Emerging Defense Technologies
Emerging Defense Technologies is published monthly by Defense House Publishing, P.O. Box 236, Forest Hill, Maryland, 21050, USA. Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, duplicated or re-transmitted without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The Technology Briefs section of Emerging Defense Technologies is a single reference point for currently developing or developed patented scientific and engineering data of military projects or projects that have potential military application. The full reports, including all technical drawings are available separately. All reports are in the language of the country of origin with the language noted by each report. The Technology Briefs’ documents are compiled by Defense House Publishing. For information on purchasing individual documents, a complete single issue or an annual subscription, contact Defense House Publishing.
January 2010 Defense House Publishing P.O. Box 236 Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 USA Jeff McKaughan jeffm@defense-house.com 443-243-1710
Threat Assessment and the Acquisition Process
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Abrams Tank Modernization Program
11 USMC Breacher Goes Into Action
By Lance Corporal Walter Marino
14 US Army Reset Requirements
By General Peter W. Choarelli, Vice Chief of Staff
16 USMC Reset Requirements
By General James F. Amos, Assistant Commandant
22 On Target—News Briefs 26 Calendar of Events 27 Technology Briefs
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Ammunition & Munitions Artillery Communtions, Suvreillance & Sensors Ground Vehicles Infantry Weapons Soldier Survivability & Gear Unmanned Vehicles
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January 2010
Threat Assessment and the Acquisition Process
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Intelligence agencies prepare and update assessments of enemy capabilities to neutralize or degrade a specific U.S. system and describe the threat to be countered and the projected threat environment. In November 2008, the Army Training and Doctrine Command for Intelligence, G-2, prepared an informal threat assessment for the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicles (TWVs). The threat assessment states that, for the past 20 years, adversaries have adopted tactics and technologies to hide from U.S. reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition sensors. The enemies choose to fight in complex terrain because it mitigates American technological advantages in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. As a result, U.S. ground forces operate in all terrain sets and in all weather conditions in increasingly complex environments. In these environments, U.S. ground forces conducting patrol or reconnaissance missions in TWVs could become prime targets. The threat assessment predicts that the future enemy will continue to rely less on conventional forceon-force battles to thwart U.S. actions and more on tactics that frustrate U.S. intentions without confrontation. The tailored system threat assessment (STA) prepared for the Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement in January 20044 states that in the next 20 years no single opponent will constitute a threat to the United States. Instead, regional powers and alliances will pose the most viable threat. Advances in and proliferation of technology will present an array of new, more sophisticated threats. Increasingly, other nations will be equipped with new or modernized sophisticated weapons, sensors, and information operations capabilities obtained from suppliers worldwide. Moreover, the Marine Corps can expect to encounter both nation-state-based, nontraditional combatants and a variety of nonstate actors engaging in unconventional warfare. Each operational environment will provide a unique set of
challenges to deployed forces and TWVs. Specific Threats to Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
The November 2008 threat assessment
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identified the most likely threats to TWVs as mines, roadside improvised explosive devices, and small arms fire. However, the most stressing threats continue to be explosively formed projectiles because of their armor penetration capabilities and large
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Doctrine Command Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2; the Army Materiel Command Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2, including Army foreign intelligence officers; and the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity. Finding. Identifying and Updating the Threats to Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
underbody improvised explosive devices. Physical damage can also be expected from traditional and irregular threats, ranging from conventional ground forces using small arms and mines to terrorist and insurgent forces using available weapons in both their intended and unintended capacities. The threat assessment further indicated that adversaries can be expected to possess knowledge regarding vulnerable areas when targeting TWVs. The January 2004 tailored STA for the Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement states that there is no single threat to operations of the TWVs. TWVs will face many threats, including landmines, small arms fire, improvised explosive devices, rockets, precision guided bombs, and munitions. Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition obstacles and barriers also threaten the survivability of TWVs in future operations. Selected Tactical Wheeled Vehicles The DoD Inspector General (IG) judgmentally selected TWVs developed and acquired by the Army and the Marine Corps to determine whether controls were in place to react with appropriate vehicle design changes as changes in threats occurred for those vehicles. In the Army, TWVs are managed under the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. From a list of all Army-managed TWVs, they identified those that were operating in theater (Iraq or Afghanistan) and then selected vehicles from each TWV category: light, medium, and heavy. Based on their wide use in theater, they selected the following five Army TWVs for review: Armored Security Vehicle, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, Heavy Equipment Transporter System,
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Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck In the Marine Corps, TWVs are managed under the Marine Corps Systems Command. From the list provided by the Marine Corps, The IG selected all the light, medium, and heavy TWVs for which the Marine Corps was the lead acquisition agency: Internally Transportable Vehicle, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Logistics Vehicle System Replacement Each of the TWVs selected for review was in the production phase of the acquisition process, with the exception of the Heavy Equipment Transporter System, which is in the operations and support phase of the acquisition process. See Appendix B for a description of the selected Army and Marine Corps TWVs. Review of Internal Controls The Inspector General’s office reviewed the internal controls in the Army and Marine Corps to identify and communicate threat updates to TWVs to program offices, contracting officers, test organizations, and milestone decision authorities. They determined that the Army and Marine Corps processes used for identifying and communicating threat information on TWVs to program managers, contracting officers, test organizations, and requirements generators were effective. Sources of Threat Assessment Information The key organizations for preparing the Land Warfare Capstone Threat Assessment and for collecting and relaying threat information to program offices and requirements generators are the Army Intelligence and Security Command’s National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC); the Army Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2; the Army Training and
The Army and Marine Corps processes used to identify threats to tactical wheeled vehicles (TWVs) and communicate this information to program managers and the test communities were effective. As a result, program offices for the Army and Marine Corps TWVs from the IG selection that were deployed to Southwest Asia (the ITV was not deployed to Southwest Asia) had reacted to updated STAs by incorporating armor in the vehicles’ design (see the seven TWVs in the table below). Specifically, the program offices had obtained updated threat assessments, modified their contracts to incorporate armor requirements in the vehicles’ design, and had their test community determine the suitability and effectiveness of the design changes made in response to the changing threats. Further, requirements organizations within the Army and the Marine Corps were in the process of updating TWV capability documents to reflect updated threat information identified in STAs and updating TWV required capabilities as needed. Preparation of System Threat Assessments In accordance with Army Regulation 381-11, “Intelligence Support to Capability Development,” January 26, 2007, the Army program office for the four selected light and heavy TWVs was not required to have an STA because they were acquisition category (ACAT) III programs. As required, the Army Training and Doctrine Command for Intelligence, G-2, prepared informal threat assessments in response to the updated threats to TWVs. In March 2005, the Army Training and Doctrine Command prepared an informal threat assessment that focused on the current threat and the armoring of TWVs. In November 2008, the Army Training and Doctrine Command updated the informal March 2005 threat assessment to cover a broad range of threats that TWVs may face in the next 10 to 15 years. The informal threat assessments identified the most likely threats to TWVs as side-attack improvised explosive devices and small arms fire, and the most stressing threats to TWVs as explosively
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Vehicles Selected for Review That Were Deployed to Southwest Asia TWV Type1 Acquisition2 Category Army Armored Security Vehicle L III
Oversight
Current Phase
Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Production
High Mobility Multipurpose L III Wheeled Vehicle
Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Production
Family of Medium M IC Tactical Vehicles
Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Production
Heavy Equipment H III Transporter System
Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Operations & Support
Heavy Expanded Mobility H III Tactical Truck
Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Production
Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement
M
IC
Program Executive Office for Land Systems
Production
Logistics Vehicle System Replacement
H
II
Program Executive Office for Land Systems
Production
1 2
L=light; M=medium; and H=heavy. See the glossary for definitions of the acquisition categories.
formed projectiles and large underbody improvised explosive devices. Other threats to TWVs include landmines; rocket propelled grenades; antitank guided missiles; mortars; artillery; and armed, unmanned aerial vehicles. The Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2, and NGIC coordinated on the informal threat assessments. The TACOM Life Cycle Management Command Intelligence and Security Division prepared an STA, “System Threat Assessment Report for the Tactical Wheeled Vehicles,” for the Army’s light, medium, and heavy TWVs (due to Army regulations, the Armored Security Vehicle is not included in the TWV STA because it is an ACAT III) that was validated by the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2, in August 2009. Because the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles program was an ACAT IC program, the program office obtained an STA as required by Army Regulation 381-11. The Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2, validated the STA for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles program in accordance with Army Regulation 381-11. The Marine Corps prepared and validated tailored STAs for the three TWV programs selected, as required by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 3811.1D, “Threat Support to Weapon and Information Technology Systems Planning
and Acquisition,” June 5, 2008. For the two TWV programs with missions in Southwest Asia (Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and Logistics Vehicle System Replacement), the tailored STA stated that the primary and most prolific threats were small arms projectiles, mortar and artillery fragments, and antipersonnel and anti-vehicle mine blasts. Contract Modifications Issued in Response to Changing Threats To procure armor upgrades to TWVs in response to the increased threats identified in the STAs, Army and Marine Corps contracting officers issued separate armor contracts or awarded contract modifications to the production contracts, with the exception of the Internally Transportable Vehicle, which did not have increased armor requirements. Army contracting officers amended the contracts to incorporate add-on-armor requirements and procure initial quantities of armor kits as follows: In July 2007, the contracting officer for the Armored Security Vehicle modified the contract to procure 506 add-on-armor kits. In February 2008 the contract was amended to include an additional 1,676 add-on-armor kits. Also, in March 2008 and January 2009, the contracting officer
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continued to amend the contract to procure a total of 4,019 improved add-on-armor kits. In April and June 2005, the contracting officer for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle amended the contract to procure 1,233 add-on-armor kits. Additionally, in July 2006, the contracting officer amended the contract to procure an additional 3,800 enhanced add-on-armor kits. In March 2004 and September 2005, the contracting officer for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles awarded contracts to Radian Inc. to provide 1,822 bolt-on armor crew protection kits. Also, in July 2004, the contracting officer awarded a contract to Stewart and Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems LP to provide 2,060 low signature armored cabs. Additionally, in 2008, the contracting officer amended the production contract to procure 1,594 long-term armor strategy kits and cabs. In April 2004, the contracting officer for the Heavy Equipment Transporter System contracted with Simula Inc. to procure 796 add-on-armor kits. In March 2008, the contracting officer amended the production contract with Oshkosh Truck
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Corporation to procure six prototype Heavy Equipment Transporter System vehicles with product improvements that, when complete, will accept the current and future add-on-armor kits. In October 2008, the contracting officer for the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck amended the contract to procure 661 add-on-armor kits. Also, in January 2009, the contracting officer amended the contract to procure another 1,769 addon-armor kits. Marine Corps contracting officers amended contracts to incorporate addon-armor requirements and procured initial quantities of armor kits by performing the following contractual actions. In September 2004, the contracting officer incorporated engineering change proposals developed by the prime contractor, Oshkosh Corporation, in the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement contract to procure 398 add-on-armor kits to provide increased armor protection for greater crew survivability. Also, from February 2005 through November 2008, the contracting officer amended the contract to procure an additional 3,423 add-onarmor kits. In May, 2006, the contracting officer for the Logistics Vehicle Replacement System began to exercise contract options and procured 351 add-on-armor kits. Tests of the Effectiveness of Armor Design Modifications The Army Test and Evaluation Command was aware of current threats to TWVs based on weekly threat updates received from the NGIC. Accordingly, the Army Test and Evaluation Command incorporated the updated threat information in the test plans. Using the weekly threat updates, the Army Test and Evaluation Command, in coordination with the program offices, developed test plans and performed testing on the suitability and effectiveness of the armor modifications made to the Army TWVs. Below is a summary of the test
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results from the Army Test and Evaluation Command’s capabilities and limitations reports, safety confirmation reports, and live fire test reports. The September 2007 capabilities and limitations report for the Armored Security Vehicle stated that the add-on armor fragmentation kit enhanced the ballistic protection of the Armored Security Vehicle and provided some protection against improvised explosive devices. The earlier design of the Armored Security Vehicle protected against small arms fire and provided limited mine protection. The early add-on armor fragmentation kits on armored variants of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle included protection against TEXT REDACTED. The October 2006 safety confirmation for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle armored variants stated that the add-on armor fragmentation kit enhanced protection against TEXT REDACTED. A safety confirmation was released in June 2007 for an interim armor kit that provided protection against TEXT REDACTED. The December 2003 and October 2004 safety confirmations for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles stated that the Radian armor kit and the low signature armor cab kit, respectively, protected
crew against small arms fire and blast fragmentation. Before December 2003, the design of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles did not provide armor for protection against small arms fire or blast fragmentation. The June 2005 capabilities and limitations report for the Heavy Equipment Transporter System stated that the bolt-on armor improved protection against TEXT REDACTED. In the January 2008 live fire test and evaluation report, the Army Test and Evaluation Command discussed the extent to which crew can survive and function after the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, with improved armor, is attacked by a variety of ballistic threats. The upgraded armor improved protection against TEXT REDACTED. The Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity representatives attended product team meetings with Marine Corps intelligence analysts to discuss threats to TWVs before developing plans to test the suitability and effectiveness of armor modifications to the Marine Corps TWVs. Further, Marine Corps intelligence analysts reviewed and provided input to the test plans to ensure planned tests were reasonable.
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January 2010 The March 2008 draftAcquisition Strategy/ Acquisition Plan for the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement program stated that, as armoring vehicle requirements became a critical issue during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Marine Corps System Command pursued the development, testing, and production of armor kits geared toward crew protection. The testing results showed that the integrated armoring system developed for the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement program withstands small arms fire, improvised explosive devices, and mine blasts. The program office is currently fielding a blast protection upgrade kit to theater with plans to retrofit the upgrade to existing Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement armor. The September 2008 live fire test and evaluation report for the Logistics Vehicle Replacement System stated that the addon armor provides protection against TEXT REDACTED. Update of Vehicle Capability Documents The Army Training and Doctrine Command stated that it plans to update the capabilities documents for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, the Heavy Equipment Transporter System, and the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck in response to the updated STAs. TACOM Life Cycle Management Command foreign intelligence officers completed the Light, Medium, and Heavy TWV STA, which the Army Training and Doctrine Command will use as the baseline threat level in capability documents for all Army TWVs selected except the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle capability document will not be updated because the program is being replaced with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The Armored Security Vehicle capability document was updated in February 2007 with updated threat information from the Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Marine Corps Combat Development Command has updated its capabilities document by adding an annex for armoring the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement program. The Command plans to update the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement capability documents using the program’s tailored STA.
7 Summary The Army and Marine Corps processes for identifying and communicating updated threat information on TWVs to program managers, contracting officers, test organizations, and requirements generators were effective. The Army and Marine Corps prepared STAs for TWVs, identifying the most likely and stressing threats to TWVs. As discussed, program managers, in response to updated threat information, had contracting officers amend TWV contracts to incorporate armor design changes needed to provide the TWVs additional protection from TEXT REDACTED. Also Army and Marine Corps test
organizations tested the effectiveness of the armor design changes made to the TWVs as the threats continued to evolve. Although not accomplished yet, the requirements communities within the Army and the Marine Corps planned to update their TWV capabilities documents with updated threat assessment information and revised armor protection requirements in response to the updated threats. The DoD Inspector General’s office recently issued a report entitled Using System Threat Assessments in the Acquisition of Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. This article is excerpted from that document. There are several instances that for operational security
Glossary Acquisition Category An ACAT facilitates decentralized decision making, decision execution, and compliance with statutory requirements for milestone decisions in the Defense acquisition system process. The categories determine the level of review, decision authority, and applicable procedures. The following are definitions for ACAT I, II and III. Acquisition Category I An ACAT I program is defined as a major Defense acquisition program estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to require an eventual expenditure of research, development, test, and evaluation funds of more than $365 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or of procurement funds of more than $2.19 billion in FY 2000 constant dollars, or designated by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to be an ACAT I program. ACAT I programs have two subcategories: ACAT ID and ACAT IC. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics designates programs as ACAT ID or IC. Acquisition Category ID For this category, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics is the milestone decision authority. The “D” refers to the Defense Acquisition Board, which advises the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics at major decision points. Acquisition Category IC For this category, the DoD Component Head or, if delegated, the DoD Component Acquisition Executive is the milestone decision authority. The “C” refers to Component. Acquisition Category II An ACAT II program is an acquisition program that does not meet the criteria for an ACAT I program, but does meet the criteria for a major system. A major system is defined as a program estimated by the DoD Component Head to require an eventual expenditure of research, development, test, and evaluation funds of more than $140 million in FY 2000 constant dollars or of procurement funds of more than $660 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or designated by the DOD Component Head to be an ACAT II program. Acquisition Category III An ACAT III program is an acquisition program that does not meet the criteria for ACAT I and II programs. The milestone decision authority is designated by the DoD Component Acquisition Executive to an official at the lowest appropriate level. Capabilities and Limitations Report. The Capabilities and Limitations report issued by the Army Test and Evaluation Command provides critical information to the decision makers and commanders receiving a TWV system. Each report addresses the capabilities, limitations, safety, training, supportability, survivability, and unknowns or risk areas. Further, the Capabilities and Limitations report is written in terms warfighters can easily understand. Safety Confirmation A safety confirmation is a document issued by the Developmental Test Command, which is a subordinate command under the Army Test and Evaluation Command. It provides the materiel developer and the decision maker with the test agency’s safety findings and conclusions, and states whether the specified safety requirements have been met.
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Emerging Defense Technologies
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Abrams Tank Modernization Program
The Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS), Program Management Office Heavy Brigade Combat Team (PM HBCT) is conducting a request for information (RFI) market survey to collect written information from industry to help determine current market capability to design, develop, and integrate technologies to upgrade and modernize the Abrams tank. The Abrams tank is anticipated to remain in the military system to the year 2050. The modernization program seeks to continue the evolutionary development of the vehicle. System Architecture and Software The modernized Abrams configuration will provide a system that will provide overmatch for many years. The power management system will be required to handle a worst case of 90,000 watts that will be required to be distributed between the turret and hull of the vehicle through a slip ring. The power management system and slip ring will require room for growth. Power generation may be developed by, but not limited to, integrated generators or auxiliary power units. The voltage system of the current M1A2 v2 vehicle is based on a 28 V system. The modernized Abrams voltage system has not been determined yet and may be based on but not limited to 28, 270 or 610 volts. The power distribution system will be based on a distributed branching system and
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be able to monitor and diagnosis failures at the box and internal card level. The power management and vetronics control systems shall run internal testing in the back ground and have enough robustness to support graceful degradation of the system when failures are present in order to minimize single point failures. The primary data bus management system for the modernized Abrams is currently Ethernet, however, other technologies will be considered. The architecture requires a video network which will be distributed to each of the four crew members to allow for video sharing. All systems and sub-systems will be integrated together by the distributed architecture and controlled by vehicle level software. Tactical communication systems will be directed by the Army. Maintainability, reliability and crew safety must be driving factors in any proposed designs. Auxiliary and Other Systems The auxiliary and other systems comprises of crew stations, fire suppression and NBC/ECS systems. The crew stations will optimize the placement of LRUs and subsystems along with the seat design to enhance the crew-machine interface and minimize the human factors burden on the crewmen. The fire suppression system and NBC/ ECS systems provide the tank and crew with safety and survivability features. The fire suppression system will be designed to
January 2010
put out any fires that initiate within the crew or engine compartments, as well as, on the exterior in the vicinity of the tracks. The NBC system provides capability to the crew to continue their mission when in a chemical threat environment. The current NBC system is being integrated along with the ECS system to optimize the space claims for these two systems, maximize commonality, and preclude any crew compartment contamination after a chemical event. The ECS system will provide the crewmen with a compartment temperature that they can operate without any heat stress under temperature extremes, as well as, provide cooling to the electronics so they can function normally under high temperatures. Tank Level The U.S. government classifies information according to the degree which the unauthorized disclosure would damage national security. Government classification is established under Executive Order 12958, as amended by Executive Order 13292. The Abrams tank operates under classified and compartmentalized information. Companies responding to the RFI should have rooms or buildings where classified material is stored or handled and must have a facility clearance at the same level as the most sensitive material to be handled. The Abrams modernized tank will be a full-tracked, low profile, land combat assault
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January 2010 weapon system in the 69.5 to 73.1 ton weight class. This vehicle will possess a significant increase in survivability, shoot-on-the-move fire power, joint interoperability (for the exchange of tactical and support information) and a high degree of maneuverability and tactical agility. The crew will have the capability to engage the full spectrum of enemy ground targets with a variety of accurate point and area fire weapons in urban and open terrain, as well as, defend against helicopter threats.
9 Lethality The Abrams tank will maintain lethal over-match against current and potential future adversaries through rapid, precision engagements in adverse and hostile conditions. To maintain this overmatch capability the modernized tank will include improvements to the fire control system, primary and secondary
weapon accuracy, situational awareness, and ammunition. Additional capabilities will include improved combat identification, aided target recognition, laser designation, auto-target tracking, and enhanced target acquisition. The modernized tank must contain nonlethal scalable effects to determine combatant or noncombatant intent during stability and urban operations. These improvements
Modeling and Simulation Models and simulations will be employed throughout the Abrams tank lifecycle. Models and simulation tools are used to reduce cost, analyze alternatives, reduce environment impact, improve training, conserve resources and save lives. Modeling and simulation helps the government: (1) analyze situations and predict outcomes; (2) consider trade-offs in allocating time and resources; and (3) make smarter decisions. Modeling and simulation is an iterative process with discernable steps and specific roles for individuals. Each step in the process is important. Skipping steps or changing their order affects the outcome. Input into the process affects the outcome. The PM will collaborate with operational users and consider industry input during modeling and simulation program planning. Planning should include the application, support, documentation, and reuse of modeling and simulation; and the integration of modeling and imulation across functional disciplines. Mobility Vehicle mobility requirements include repetitive actions of acceleration, maneuverability, maintaining a sustained speed, obstacle crossing, deceleration and power generation for secondary systems. Generally, vehicles are space limited and operate in extremely adverse environmental conditions. This makes the task of integrating multiple systems to meet operational time and range requirements critical. These systems include but may not be limited to fuel management, hydraulic, air management, suspension/track, thermal management, electrical power generation, and NBC and fire protection. The fielded system must also be durable and maintainable under severe operating conditions.
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10 will allow the tank to destroy the threat with precision fires, enabling the HBCT to achieve decisive results in a wide range of environments. Survivability/Force Protection Survivability/force protection involves protecting the system and retaining the ability to perform its primary mission when attacked. Force protection focuses on protection of the crew and occupants from life threatening incapacitation. Survivability/force protection is key performance parameters for the tank. Effective survivability is provided in layers and does not rely on a single technological approach. The Abrams tank will include armor (both passive and reactive), hit avoidance, and signature management approaches. Reliability, Availability and Maintainability Reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) are essential elements of mission capability. Reliability is the probability that an item will perform a required function under stated conditions for a specified period of time. Reliability also has sub-components to be considered including: durability, mission reliability, and logistics reliability. Availability is a measure of the degree to which an item is in an operable state and can be committed at the start of a mission when the mission is called for at a random point in time. Availability as measured by the user is a function of how often failures occur and corrective maintenance is required, how often preventative maintenance is performed, how quickly indicated failure can be isolated and repaired, how quickly preventative maintenance tasks can be performed, and how long logistics support delays contribute to down time.
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Maintainability is the ability of an item to be retained in, or restored to, a specified condition when maintenance is performed by personnel having specified skill levels, using prescribed procedures and resources, at each prescribed level of maintenance and repair. Test and Evaluation The test and evaluation program will effectively and efficiently analyze test results against user requirements. Data input into the analysis will be from government and contractor test sites. Supporting the analysis, testing will incorporate the RAM growth curve process. Throughout the test planning process, detailed criteria will be established for all major test activities. Proven US Army test management practices will be followed to ensure that specific attributes will be adequately tested and evaluated. Development Test events will ensure that system capabilities are tested and document whether operational threshold and objective capabilities are met. This will determine if the contractor proposed vehicles will be operationally effective suitable and survivable. Vehicle capabilities and evaluations will address safety, technical performance, system capabilities, mission sustainability, survivability and RAM. Logistics Incorporation of the ten integrated logistics support (ILS) elements as required in each life cycle phase is critical for the government to acquire a system that is affordable (lowest LCC), operable,
supportable, sustainable, transportable, and environmentally compliant. Carrying out ILS requirements is an integral part of the system engineering effort and correlates directly to logistics product data (LPD) development. LPD is comprised of support and support-related engineering and logistics data needed for material management process and is standardized in data element and exchange structured formats. LPD is principal to decision making as information related to logistics design requirements, reliability and maintainability, system safety, maintenance engineering, support and test equipment, training and training devices, manpower and skills, computer resources, facilities, transportation, supply support, and parts packaging is registered. LPD entity examples: AA-Operations and Maintenance Level Requirement; ABReliability, Availability and Maintainability; AC-Maintenance Level Requirement, AD-Organization Level Requirement; and AE-Skill Operations and Maintenance Requirement. The LPD summaries (reports by compiled entities) consists of information necessary for the government to conduct logistics planning and analysis, influence program decisions, assess design status, and verify contractor performance.
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By Lance Corporal Walter Marino Regimental Combat Team 7
A vehicle that looks like a hybrid of a tank and bulldozer comes to a stop. An enormous blast shrieks through the air and delivers 1,750 pounds of C4 on the road ahead. The Marine Corps newest vehicle, an assault breacher vehicle, has detonated a route clearing, line charge, making its first combat assault in Marine Corps history. The Marine Corps prepared the ABV crew and the vehicle for combat for approximately two years. On the morning of December 3, the ABV fired its first line charge during Operation Cobra’s Anger in Now Zad, Afghanistan. Due to mass amounts of roadside bombs expected around Now Zad, ABV’s led the way for the operation by detonating numerous line charges on the path to the Taliban stronghold, Now Zad. Pride in the ABV’s development and capability was obvious amongst the Marines. “There was no guidebook for this vehicle. We’ve had to develop our own tactics and procedures. I think that’s awesome. It’s very rewarding. This project is kind of like our baby. It’s pretty amazing to see it all come together,” said Sergeant Jeremy A. Kinsey, an ABV vehicle commander for 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion. ABV’s played a pivotal role in the mission. Its demolition capabilities eliminated ABOVE: An ABV Marine 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, conducting combat operations in Now Zad, Afghanistan, during Operation Cobra’s Anger.
USMC Breacher Goes Into Action
the Taliban’s IED threat on the foot mobile Marines’ breach into the city. “A lot of people say the engineer community is the tip of the spear,” said Kinsey. “We have a saying: ‘if we can’t breach it, you can’t reach it.’ This operation is proving that. 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, said that if they didn’t have our support, that this mission was a no go.” The Marines of 2nd CEB referred to the front end of the vehicle as ‘Shredder’ from the cartoon series, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” because of the vehicles pointed edges. “We heard that the Taliban’s radio communication said, ‘get out, because the big boom is coming,’” said Kinsey. “I’d have to say; just the intimidation factor is enough to make anyone run. I know I wouldn’t want 1,750 pounds of C4 blowing up were I’m at.” A moral affect on the enemy was realized by the ABV Marines. “I know the Taliban didn’t want to give up this position and we took it very quickly,” said Kinsey. “All they really have left is Marjeh. To take something so important to the Taliban, so quickly, is like a big slap in the face for them.” The Marines successes in Now Zad opened doors for future operations for the ABV and confirmed what they already believed. “I believe our actions have proven our capabilities and will result in us employed more frequently,” Kinsey said. “Before this mission, they didn’t know what we were capable of. Now that the Marine Corps knows we can [fight], I think we will be used
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more.” “I was proud and excited to do something that’s never been done before in the Marine Corps,” said Lance Corporal Randy J. Davis Jr., an ABV operator for 2nd CEB. “Hopefully it helped the Marine Corps grow. This vehicle allows us to go through rougher terrain faster and I think the percentage of IED’s will go down with the use of this vehicle.” Although the Marines engaged in combat, many wished they could have done more. “I was actually hoping for more resistance, said Davis. “I think our explosion ran them all off. I was happy to fight for my country. We came out here to kill Taliban and liberate the peaceful people of Now Zad. All the Taliban kicked out the Afghan civilians. Now were just trying to give them back what’s theirs.” The Marines could not be more pleased with the ABV’s performance. “The performance of the new ABV’s was outstanding to say the least and I couldn’t be happier with the mission and the opportunity,” said Davis. “We paved the way for 3/4 Lima Company to clear the city. I feel it’s an honor to fight with my brothers in battle.” “These vehicles have been doing great,” said Lance Corporal Brian S. Rutledge, an ABV mechanic for 2nd CEB. “We haven’t needed to do much maintenance with these vehicles. We were right there in case anything broke down, but it didn’t. We’ve done more work for other units than our own.” The tight knit family of the ABV Marines suffered a loss before their deployment. Out of love and respect, they dedicated their first vehicle to their fellow Marine. “I dedicated this vehicle in honor of
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January 2010
2nd Lieutenant Mevey, our first platoon commander who died in a motorcycle accident,” Kinsey said. “I think it would mean a lot to him that this ABV was the first to fire a line charge in combat, breach in combat, plow through a compound, and survive an IED blast. I think he would be very proud.” RIGHT: Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion launch a line charge from an Assault Breacher Vehicle for the first time in the fleet, November 23. The line charge, a long string of C4 explosives attached to a rocket, is used to clear a lane of all mines or improvised explosive devices so that tanks and other large equipment have a safe path to navigate on. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian M. Woodruff) BELOW: A Danish Leopard provides overwatch as a USMC goes about its work during Operation Cobra’s Anger in Afghanistan.
Emerging Defense Technologies
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January 2010
US Army Reset Requirements As all of you know, it has been a busy time for our nation’s military. We are at war; we have been at war for the past seven-plus years, and that has undeniably put a strain on our people and equipment. In particular, the increased “wear and tear” on items ranging from individual weapons to helicopters to combat and tactical wheeled vehicles has taken a significant toll. With the generous support of Congress the Army has steadily expanded the productivity and capacity of Army Materiel Command depots to meet our increased maintenance needs in a timely manner. Similarly, the commercial industrial base has surged to meet the requirements we have placed on them. This has greatly enhanced the overall capability and readiness of our Force. While we are currently conducting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must always be prepared to respond to contingency operations around the world. As our first Commander in Chief, George Washington stated: “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” Therefore, the capability and capacity for reset must continue for as long as we have forces deployed and for 2-3 years thereafter to ensure readiness for the future.
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General Peter W. Chiarelli US Army Vice Chief of Staff
Reset Reset is actions taken to restore unit equipment to a desired level of combat capability commensurate with the unit’s future mission. These actions include the repair of equipment, the upgrading of equipment where feasible and necessary (recap), and the replacement of destroyed or worn out equipment. The reset program ensures deployed units and commanders have reliable and capable equipment, whether it is in units, Army prepositioned stocks (APS) or theater provided equipment (TPE). Reset ensures that our equipment is at a high state of readiness; the Army is committed to restoring operational readiness of all critical systems and units. Repair Repair is the necessary scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of equipment to meet Army standards, and the repair is preceded by an inspection to determine the faults that must be corrected. Equipment repair is accomplished at two levels: field and sustainment level (depot). Soldier-mechanics perform field level
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repairs, augmented by contractor labor and installation maintenance activities when required, on or near the installation where the equipment is stationed. The Army National Guard conducts equipment field level reset at their National Guard facilities, while Army Reserve equipment continues to be reset at Reserve component demobilization sites. The Army National Guard’s reset efforts have served us well, in helping to return their equipment to their units as soon as is possible, so as to increase their capability to respond to homeland defense and homeland security (HLD/HLS) requirements. For all components, repairs that exceed field level capability are performed at the sustainment level by our Army depots and other maintenance facilities under Army Materiel Command control. Certain items of equipment, as determined by the level of repair required are automatically returned for sustainment level maintenance and do not require inspection. The retrograde of equipment from theater continues to go well and is supportive of the Army’s reset schedule. And, while we made some adjustments due to operational requirements, we are still on a glide path to fully execute our Reset program. In fact, with the support of Congress we have been able to create some opportunities to accelerate our Reset program. Specifically, we are leveraging the Army Working Capital Fund (AWCF) to purchase repair parts with long procurement times which will accelerate the repair of systems, in some cases by many months, and return equipment to units faster in order to support training and future mission requirements.
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14 Equipment Upgrades/Recapitalization Recapitalization rebuilds or upgrades equipment to a level that improves the performance capabilities of the equipment and returns the equipment to a “zero mile/zero hour” level with original performance specifications. The Army’s plan to recapitalize major combat systems as part of our Reset strategy will ensure that Soldiers have the required capabilities for the next contingency. These systems include: the M1 Abrams tank, the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle, HMMWVs, HEMTTS, and the Kiowa Warrior helicopter. The objectives of the recapitalization process include: extending service life, reducing operating and support costs, enhancing capability, and improving system reliability, maintainability and safety. For example, the HMMWVs that originally deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan without additional armor were an average of 13 years old at the time. As the Army has increased production of better armored HMMWVs, portions of the originally-deployed fleet, mainly M998 series vehicles, have been returned for recapitalization. These HMMWVs have been replaced by mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles in Theater, however, the HMMWVs will be recapitalized to a newer model for use in support of HLD/HLS missions and training. Since the onset of OIF and OEF, the Army’s organic depots have also steadily increased their output while simultaneously increasing efficiencies. In FY 2003, depot workload was 12.5 million direct labor hours (DLH). The FY 2009 planned reset work-
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load is 28.6M DLH; and, given appropriate funding and lead time, the depots have the capacity to increase workload to as much as 39M DLHs per year to address any surge in requirements. Replacement Replacement is the procurement of new equipment to replace battle losses and wash outs. Replacement is also the primary means for replacing Reserve component equipment left in theater to support combat operations. This new equipment is needed to support (HLD/HLS) requirements. Speed of Reset/Operational Tempo With the increased demand on our force and the decrease in dwell time we have taken steps to reduce the time required to complete equipment reset. Equipment is generally reset (repaired) within 180 days of a unit returning to its home station (51 percent soldiers returned). Global demand has required the Army to deploy as many as 26 brigade combat teams at any one time. This places tremendous stress on the Army’s deployed equipment in harsh environments, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. In OIF, Army helicopters are experiencing usage rates roughly two to three times the planned peacetime rates. Tank crews early in the war were driving tanks over 4,000 miles per year, a rate that is five times the programmed annual usage of 800 miles per year. The Army’s truck fleet is experiencing usage rates that are five to six times the peacetime rates, and the wear and tear has been further
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exacerbated by the heavy armor kits added to enhance force protection. This increased operational tempo shortens the useful life of our equipment and demands a much earlier and larger investment in depot maintenance than programmed for peacetime operations. We have steadily expanded the capacity and productivity at the Army Materiel Command’s depots and we have also reached out to industry wherever possible to help to meet our increased maintenance needs. Since the beginning of combat operations we have reset over 470,000 pieces of equipment, including 2,702 aircraft, 4,622 tracked vehicles, 33,721 HMMWVs (includes reset and recap), 6,550 trucks, 3,819 trailers, 214,484 small arms, and 20,170 generators. In FY 2009, the Army will reset approximately 98,000 major items of equipment, including 37 aircraft, 4,600 tracked vehicles, 4,700 tactical wheel vehicles, and 39,000 small arms, at the sustainment level; and hundreds of thousands of additional pieces of equipment at the field level. In accordance with Office of Management and Budget and DoD policy and intent, we rely on contingency funding to pay for our Reset program because reset addresses damage and wear resulting directly from overseas contingency operations. The Army is currently balancing equipment needs between theaters and rapidly retrograding equipment no longer required for the fight for induction into reset. The Army is currently assessing what equipment will be reset to fill additional requirements for OEF, other theater requirements, and what can be sent back for reset as part of responsible draw-
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15 crease the following year’s requirement. Closing
down. After the reset of equipment no longer needed in theater, we will issue the equipment to units to fill shortages and to conduct training or to fulfill homeland defense and homeland security requirements. Army prepositioned stocks (APS) is equipment that the Army maintains to provide both strategic and operational flexibility and responsiveness to contingency operations around the world. We used equipment and stocks from all five of our prepositioned sets to support OIF and OEF. Currently, the Army is resetting and reconfiguring APS to match the Army modular force design. The Army has requested reset funding in
the FY 2010 OCO supplemental to be $11.0 billion with $3.1 billion in Procurement and $7.9 billion in operation and maintenance. Reset costs for future years will depend on several factors, such as responsible drawdown requirements, the level of force commitment, the activity level of those forces and the amount of destroyed, damaged or worn equipment. Due to the unprecedented stress placed on our equipment as a result of the war, reset funding is required for a period of two to three years beyond the cessation of the current conflict. Any reset requirements that go unfunded in one year will roll over and in-
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These continue to be challenging times for our nation and for our military. With the support of Congress, we have deployed the best manned, equipped, trained, and led forces in the history of the United States Army over the past seven-plus years. However, the fact remains that the prolonged and persistent demand has put a significant strain or wear and tear on our people and equipment. I have assured the members of the House Armed Services committee that the Army’s senior leaders are focused and working hard to address these challenges. In particular, our Reset program remains critical to ensuring our soldiers have the tools and equipment required to fight and win the wars we are engaged in now—and in the future. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that the capability and capacity for reset continue for as long as we have forces deployed and for 2-3 years thereafter to ensure readiness for the future. As we continue this process, we will coordinate with senior DoD officials and Congress to identify both short- and long-term solutions. This article is from the text of testimony before the House Armed Services Committee Readiness, Air and Land Forces, and Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittees
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USMC Reset Requirements Despite high operational tempo, your Marines are resilient, motivated, and performing superbly in missions around the globe. They are fully engaged and winning in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of a generational struggle against global extremism. This sustained effort and performance does not come without costs—to the institution, to our equipment, to our strategic programs, and most importantly to our Marines and their families. Continued Congressional investment in our Marines and families, resetting and modernizing our equipment, and training Marine air ground task forces for the future security environment are critical to the Marine Corps’ success as the nation’s forcein-readiness. Readiness Challenges The Marine Corps is meeting all OIF and OEF requirements. In the course of the last seven years, the Marine Corps has been battle-tested, combat hardened, and has accumulated tremendous experience in irregular warfare and counter-insurgency operations. Forward deployed units are manned, trained, and equipped to accomplish their assigned missions, and these units are reporting the highest levels of readiness for those missions. However, resources are limited and non-deployed units incur the costs of ensuring deployed and next-to-deploy units have sufficient personnel, equipment, and training. As a result, our non-deployed forces are currently reporting degraded readiness levels. This degraded state of readiness within our non-deployed forces presents risk in our ability to rapidly respond to other unexpected contingencies. Because our equipment, personnel, and training priorities are focused on counterinsurgency operations, we have experienced degradation in some of our traditional, full spectrum, core competencies such as integrated combined arms operations and largescale amphibious operations. These skills are critical to maintaining the Marine Corps’ primacy in forcible entry operations that enable follow-on joint forces. The OIF/OEF
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General James F. Amos Assistant Commandant US Marine Corps
demand for units has also limited our ability to fully meet combatant commander requests for theater engagement activities elsewhere in the world. The current security environment has clearly justified the tradeoffs we’ve made to support the long war, but the uncertainty of the future makes it prudent to regain our capabilities to operate across the full range of military operations—to be that balanced force of which Secretary Gates has spoken of. Equipment Reset Reset consists of actions taken to restore units to a required level of combat capability commensurate with the unit’s future mission. It encompasses maintenance and supply activities that restore and enhance combat capability to equipment that has been damaged, destroyed, or worn out beyond economic repair due to combat operations, by repairing, rebuilding, or procuring replacement equipment. The goals of our reset program are to sustain the current fight by repairing or replacing worn out or damaged/destroyed equipment while enhancing our support to the warfighter by reconstituting our force with newer, more capable, equipment where justified. Over time, these initiatives will help to increase non-deployed unit readiness by enhancing home station equipment pools and pre-deployment unit training. We expect to see reset requirements increase as a result of force reductions in Iraq and a growing presence in Afghanistan. To prepare for the reset of equipment redeployed from Iraq, we have created an OIF reset plan. The plan synchronizes USMC efforts to ensure we effectively and responsibly reset equipment to support follow-on operations. Equipment being redeployed is inspected, sorted and redistributed in theater, or redeployed to CONUS to maintenance facilities. Assets returning to CONUS will then be repaired, if necessary, and distributed to fill shortfalls for established priorities. Equipment determined to be beyond economical repair will be disposed of and replacements procured. Our overseas contingency operations (OCO) budget request supports this.
Ground Equipment Reset The reset of ground equipment returning from OIF will be challenging as we rebalance resources to support ongoing combat operations, re-arm, and reposition forces around the world. As we retrograde and redeploy from OIF, a significant number of principal end items (PEIs) must be reset in a timely manner to sustain continued operations, reequip home station units and support strategic programs such as our Maritime prepositioned force (MPF). The reset of ground equipment returning from combat generally falls into four categories. They are: (1) procurement/ replacement; (2) depot maintenance; (3) field maintenance and (4) no maintenance required. Each category involves separate logistics activities. The initial assessment of equipment being redeployed takes place in theater by forward deployed elements of Marine Corps Logistic Command (MCLC) in Iraq. Using a triage methodology, we determine the type of reset action required and take appropriate measures based on that assessment. Some equipment that is determined to be beyond repair will be disposed of in theater. Equipment that can be economically repaired will be directed to an appropriate level maintenance facility, typically here in CONUS. Where necessary, the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) will procure replacements for equipment which is beyond economic repair or obsolete. Equipment retrograded or redeployed from theater is inspected to determine if de-
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January 2010 pot level repairs are required. The use of DoD core depot maintenance capabilities play a critical role in the reset of ground equipment. The goal of depot operations is to restore OIF equipment to full capability as quickly as possible. OIF ground equipment repaired at designated depot-level repair activities will normally undergo 100 percent overhaul/rebuild. However, IROAN (inspect and repair only as necessary) and SOAR (selective overhaul and repair) programs are viable options when determined to be a more effective and efficient means to return equipment to full mission capability and back into the hands of Marines. In anticipation of depot surge requirements, MCLC has developed a long-term depot maintenance and resource requirement plan to support the expected surge in depot activity. Equipment requiring only field level maintenance will be shipped directly to operating forces. MCLC will provide a field main-
17 tenance capability, collocated with operational forces’ home station to assist in resetting that equipment. Some equipment redeploying from theater requires no repair and is ready for use immediately. That equipment will be directed to fill priority requirements as needed across the Marine Corps. Since August 2008, we have retrograded 36,781 principal end items from theater back to CONUS for repair, redistribution, and replacement. During combat operations, the Marine Corps has accumulated some equipment that is unique to OIF, and thus may not have a follow on use. In such cases, no maintenance action will be taken unless there is an immediate requirement in another campaign or theater of operations. MCLC will coordinate with MCSC to determine appropriate disposition instructions for this equipment. Equipment being disposed of will follow standard DoD
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disposal procedures via the most expeditious and economical means available. Aviation Equipment Reset Marine Corps Aviation has established a retrograde planning cell (RPC) to direct actions needed to successfully return and account for all aviation materiel in support of OIF. The members of this cell will identify, prioritize and direct disposition of all critical aviation equipment. Aviation equipment and materiel will flow through MCLC as steward agents for movement in common logistic channels. High demand/low density aviation equipment and materiel will be retrograded or redeployed via strategic airlift. To date, over 3,700 out of the approximately 9,100 short tons of aviation equipment has already been retrograded or redeployed. Remaining equipment continues to be prioritized and the retrograde timeline will be dictated based on
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mission requirements. Marine Aviation’s holistic strategy for equipment reset, if fully funded, is to support current commitments while ensuring asset longevity for transition to new aircraft platforms under the current Marine Aviation Plan. Because Marine Aviation does not have active production lines for legacy aircraft in service, maintaining those aircraft in a high state of readiness is a must. The reset strategy includes pre-setting all equipment prior to deployment, performing in-theater sustainment on assets deployed greater than a year, the organizational level reset of equipment within six months upon return to the United States, and the completion of all scheduled depot maintenance requirements on time. Fully funding the Department of Navy’s Aviation depot requirements requested in the FY10 baseline and supplemental ($1.2 billion in the baseline +$155 million in the FY10 overseas contingency operations (OCO)) is a critical part of aviation’s strategy to ensure maximum aircraft availability and reliability.
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Prepositioned Equipment Sources The Marine Corps has relied heavily on equipment in its prepositioning programs comprised of: the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF); the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program — Norway (MCPP-N); and InStores Equipment. Since 2002, we have drawn equipment from our strategic programs and stocks to support combat operations, growth of the Marine Corps’ force structure, and other operational priorities. While the readiness of the strategic prepositioning programs continues to improve, equipment shortages in our strategic equipment pre-positioned stores have forced the Marine Corps to accept necessary risk in our ability to rapidly respond to worldwide contingency operations. Our Maritime Prepositioning Squadrons (MPSRONs) will be reset with the most capable equipment possible. In recognition of the likely kind of operations we will face in the near term, we have begun loading select ships with capabilities that support irregular warfare operations, while still maintaining the ability to generate Marine expeditionary
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brigades (MEB) capable of conducting major combat operations. We are currently in the process of replacing the aging, leased vessels in the Maritime prepositioning force with newer, larger, and more flexible government owned ships from the Military Sealift Command fleet. Two decades of equipment growth and recent armoring initiatives have strained the capability and capacity of our present fleet, a fleet that was designed to lift a Marine force developed in the early 1980s. As we reset MPF, these changes are necessary to ensure we incorporate lessons learned from recent combat operations. The Marine Corps Prepositioning Program — Norway (MCPP-N) was also used to source equipment in support of current operations in both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and to provide humanitarian assistance in the Republic of Georgia. We continue to reset MCPP-N in accordance with our operational priorities. In-Stores Equipment refers to our pool of assets that serve as a source of equipment to replace damaged or destroyed equipment
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January 2010 in the operating forces, and potentially fill shortfalls in the Active and Reserve Components. In-Stores equipment has been used heavily and leveraged to source increased equipment requirements in Iraq and will be used to support our transition to operations in Afghanistan. The supply rating, or amount of equipment we have on-hand vs. required, for In-Stores assets is degraded and listed at 34 percentavailability. Such low levels of equipment within our in-stores equipment pools limit our ability to rapidly respond to unexpected contingencies and to replace damaged equipment in the operating forces. Ground Equipment Readiness and Depot Maintenance Our ground equipment depots play a critical role in our equipment readiness and MCLC continues to position itself to meet the repair requirements generated through a selected principle end item rotation program. More significantly, as our equipment retrogrades out of the Iraqi theater, our depots in Albany, Georgia and Barstow, California, are well positioned through the use of hourly employees and contracted labor to increase capacity to meet the surge of retrograded equipment once it arrives at our transportation hub in Blount Island, Florida. As a result, our request for depot funding in FY10, including both baseline and OCO funds, is $635 million ($81 million baseline + $554 million OCO).
19 This funding is essential to accomplish our reset requirements. We expect this surge in capacity to be required beyond FY10. Aviation Equipment Readiness and Depot Maintenance Our aviation capability is a critical part of the MAGTF. Just like our ground forces, deployed Marine aviation units receive the priority for aircraft, repair parts, and mission essential subsystems such as forward looking infrared (FLIR) pods. Non-deployed forces, on the other hand, face significant challenges for available airframes and supply parts. Exacerbating the readiness challenges in our aviation fleet, most Marine aviation platforms are legacy platforms which are no longer in production, placing an even greater strain on our logistics chain and maintenance systems. Our Marine Corps aviation platforms are supporting ground forces in some of the world’s harshest environments: the deserts of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. Our aircraft are flying at utilization rates far beyond those for which they were designed. We are nearly tripling the utilization rates of our workhorses—the F/A-18C and D; the KC-130 cargo and aerial refueling platform; our EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft; and even the new MV-22 Osprey. Increased utilization causes aircraft to structurally age faster than programmed. As our legacy aircraft are lost or damaged in
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combat, the Marine Corps is faced with a shortage of available aircraft for training and future employment. To maintain sufficient numbers of aircraft in deployed squadrons, non-deployed squadrons have taken cuts in aircraft and parts. With our current force structure, our aircraft requirement, termed primary aircraft authorization (PAA) is short 248 aircraft across all type/model/series. These shortfalls include all modifications, intermediate maintenance events, depot maintenance, transition/procurement aircraft, and aircraft damaged beyond repair. Maintaining the readiness of aviation assets while training aircrew is an enormous effort and an ongoing readiness challenge. Our aviation fleet readiness centers have been able to mitigate degradation of our aircraft materiel readiness through modifications, proactive inspections, and additional maintenance actions. These efforts successfully bolstered aircraft reliability, sustainability, and survivability. Nevertheless, additional requirements for depot-level maintenance on airframes, engines, weapons, and support equipment will continue well beyond the conclusion of hostilities. Aircraft undergoing depot-level repairs are not available for training or combat. We are simply running short of aircraft on our flight lines due to age, attrition, and wartime losses. Receiving Equipment at Blount Island Command The Marine Corps’ acquisition of Blount Island in 2004 provided the Marine Corps the opportunity to realize the full potential of the installation and its logistics support facilities. We have already expanded the use of the installation from its traditional role as the home of United States Marine Corps prepositioning forces to serve as the logistics hub for all Marine Corps equipment returning from OIF/OEF. After arrival on Blount Island, the equipment is moved to either a depot, field maintenance facility, or directly to a home station for operational use. Additionally, Blount Island Command is also capable of conducting less than depot level maintenance and has most recently served as the deployment platform for Marine Corps equipment deploying to OEF utilizing the facility as the Seaport of Embarkation. Blount Island will play a major role in Marine Corps equipment reset efforts. The most important facility requirements to support reset efforts at Blount Island include MILCON projects to improve existing operational capacity and maintenance operations.
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20 These construction projects are tied directly to the war effort and are consistent with projected volumes and throughput expected. Construction improvements include wash rack expansion, hardstand expansion, container staging space, warehousing, hazardous materiel handling, expansion and improvements to ship berthing and additional depth dredging in order to accommodate larger ships. These requirements were previously identified in the installation’s long range facilities plan to improve the installation’s efficiency in executing its preposition mission. However, these projects are needed sooner to support critical near term reset efforts. Congressiona1 Support for Marine Corps Reset Efforts Congress has generously supported Marine Corps reset efforts by appropriating over $14 billion thus far to ensure that Marines have the equipment and maintenance resources they need. We are committed to managing these resources wisely as we repair, reset and modernize our force. The procurement funds provided have allowed us to replace combat losses, upgrade existing combat systems, procure new systems, and expand the number and capabilities of our current systems; ensuring that individual Marines are better protected, better equipped, more effective, and better sustained. The Marine Corps’ current FY09 and FY10 (OCO) requests continue to support reset efforts by providing full funding for depot maintenance efforts in anticipation of OIF equipment retrograde. These requests will also fund the replacement of worn equipment for forward deployed Marines, i.e., additional expanded capacity vehicles (ECVs), medium
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tactical vehicle replacements, night vision equipment, and individual combat equipment. As our focus shifts to greater support for OEF, costs will continue to rise over time. Continued Congressional support of future funding requests will be necessary to improve equipment readiness levels across the Corps. The Future of Reset It is hard to predict what the Marine Corps reset costs are going to be because it is difficult to estimate the total cost of resetting our equipment returning from Iraq until that evolution is complete, and it is unknown how long the Marine Corps will be fighting in Afghanistan. As long as we are involved in combat operations in a harsh environment, we will need to reset our equipment. Based on what we know now, we estimate in the near term that we need an additional $6 Billion in reset funding. This figure includes reset requirements included in our FY10 OCO request. As long as the war continues, our total costs for reset will continue to grow. Impact of Pushing Reset, Reconstitution into the Baseline We are mindful that the Corps cannot rely on supplemental appropriations for baseline operations. Even when we discount the cost of war incurred as a direct result of combat and combat support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, resource requirements have significantly increased. The recruitment, training and sustainment of our primary asset— the individual Marine—are more costly. The equipment needed to succeed on the modem battlefield is both more expensive and more numerous.
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To sustain the capabilities that we have purchased with supplemental investments, we must ensure that our baseline maintenance accounts are properly resourced. Reset costs have not been in the baseline budget because both Congress and OSD have generally agreed that war related costs should be a part of supplementals. As part of that trend, the clear majority of our depot maintenance request in FY10 is part of our FY10 OCO request. Because we are resetting equipment to support current and future combat needs, we’re committed to fully funding our depot maintenance requirements to ensure that we reset and reconstitute the force as quickly as possible. Unit Table of Equipment Review Prompted by a changing security environment and hard lessons learned from sevens years of combat, the Marine Corps recently completed an initial review of its operating force’s ground equipment requirements. Recognizing that our unit tables of equipment (T/E) did not reflect the challenges and realities of the 21st century dispersed battlefield, the commandant recently directed a comprehensive Marine Corps-wide MAGTF T/E review. The initial review is complete and the approved acquisition objective (AAO) validation is underway. This review was synchronized with our modernization plans and programs, and provides enhanced mobility, lethality, sustainment, and command and control across the MAGTF. While these new tables of equipment and AAOs provide for increased capabilities in many areas—particularly protected mobility, tactical level communications, and crew-
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January 2010
served weapons—they also serve as the basis for future force development. We continually refine our requirements to exploit new technology and to continue to adopt new lessons learned. As a result, embedded in the revised AAOs are trends reflective of irregular warfare, such as requirements for increased capabilities in command and control, persistent ISR, as well as requirements to further enhance the organic ability of small units to perform a wide array of missions traditionally associated with higher echelon headquarters. The MAGTF T/E review is also an integral part of the critical work being done to reset, Reconstitute, and revitalize the Marine Corps. The resultant T/Es reflect the capabilities required not only for the Corps’ current mission, but for its future employment across the range of military operations, against a variety of threats, and in diverse terrain and conditions. We are in the process of conducting a detailed reconciliation of our new tables of equipment with our on hand equipment stocks, and the equipment that is currently programmed for procurement in future years. This will provide us a complete picture of our equipment shortfalls in all categories, including our actual unit table of equipment requirements, as well as our requirements for prepositioned stocks, training, war reserve, and rotational stocks to support our depot level
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maintenance programs. At the same time, we continually assess our procurement priorities to ensure that our resources are being applied wisely. Critical Modernization Efforts As the nation’s expeditionary force-inreadiness, the Marine Corps is required to prepare for the unexpected. We are making progress in repairing and resetting existing equipment, but this effort must be augmented with continued investment to modernize our capabilities. Equipment modernization plans are a high priority within our Corps. Our commandant’s recently published Marine Corps Vision and Strategy 2025 will help guide our modernization efforts as we continue to be the agile and expeditionary force for the nation. As example, Marine Corps ground equipment modernization efforts include development of the expeditionary fighting vehicle (EFV), and the joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV). Our goal is to provide the joint force an appropriate balance of survivability, mobility, payload, networking, transportability, and sustainability. We are also modernizing the aircraft we fly, changing the way we think about aviation support to our ground forces, and changing our capabilities to conduct operations in any clime and place. To help meet the growing in-
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telligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements of our operating forces, the Marine Corps will field three levels, or “tiers,” of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Furthermore, we are committed to an in-stride transition from 12 type/model/series aircraft to six new aircraft. Programs such as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, the MV-22 Osprey, the CH-53K, and the H-i upgrades will vastly increase the Corps’ aviation capability and ensure our warfighting advantage for decades to come. It is critical that these programs stay on track, and on timeline with full funding support, due to the declining service life of our legacy tactical aviation platforms. Conclusion This nation has high expectations of her Corps—and Marines know that. Your Marines are answering the call around the globe while performing with distinction in the face of great danger and hardships. The Corps provides the Nation unrivaled speed, agility, and flexibility for deterring war and responding to crises; our ability to seize the initiative and dominate our adversaries across the range of military operations requires the right people, the right equipment, and sufficient time to train and prepare appropriately. This article is from the text of testimony before the House Armed Services Committee Readiness, Air and Land Forces, and Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittees
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On Target Warrior CSP Turret The Lockheed Martin UK-led Warrior Transformation Team has successfully tested its design for the Warrior Capability and Sustainment Programme (WCSP) in a series of limited live firing trials at the QinetiQ Test Range, UK. The successful completion of these tests demonstrates the maturity of the team’s turret design. During the tests, which occurred over three days, the Warrior Transformation Team’s turret fired CT40 ammunition in single shot and burst rates of fire. These tests prove the structural integrity of the turret system and the inherent accuracy of the integration. The completion of the tests also marks a major milestone, as the Warrior Transformation Team are the first team to integrate the CT40 cannon onto an armored fighting vehicle, other than the original equipment manufacturer. “This successful live firing demonstrates that the Warrior Transformation Team is ready to bring battle-winning capability to the front line,” said Alan McCormick, vice president and managing director of Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS. “We are committed to delivering a low-risk solution that will provide greater mission effectiveness and increased lethality for British soldiers.” Lockheed Martin has assembled a team of partner companies. In addition to Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS, the team includes the Defence Support Group (DSG), Thales Optronics, Rheinmetall Defence, Curtiss Wright, Rheinmetall Defence, Scisys, Ultra Electronics, NP Aerospace, and Moog. “Our approach to systems engineering and team working have been essential in reaching this significant milestone,” continued McCormick.
Emerging Defense Technologies
It Can Crawl and It Can Fly The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will host a proposers’ day workshop in support of a planned broad agency announcement (BAA) for the Transformer (TX) program. The objective of the TX program is to demonstrate a 1 to 4 person transportation vehicle that can drive and fly, thus enabling the warfighter to avoid water, difficult terrain, and road obstructions as well as IED and ambush threats. The vehicle will be capable of driving on prepared surface and light off-road conditions, while flight functionality will require vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). In addition, range and speed efficiencies will allow for tactically relevant missions to be performed on a single tank of fuel. The ability to provide the warfighter a platform that enables terrain-independent mobility would significantly affect how distributed operations are performed today. Current transport systems present operational limitations where the warfighter is either anchored to the ground with HMMWVs and thus vulnerable to ambush, or reliant on helicopters, which are limited in flight speed and availability. TX provides the flexibility to adapt to traditional and asymmetric threats by providing the operator unimpeded movement over difficult terrain. In addition, transportation is no longer restricted to trafficable terrain that tends to makes movement predictable. This enables the warfighter to approach targets from directions opportune to them and not the enemy. Within the TX program, DARPA seeks to: 1) Develop a robust vehicle design that maximizes military utility at a reasonable cost, 2) Identify and mature the critical enabling technologies necessary to vehicle development, and 3) Build a single prototype vehicle that demonstrates the program goals through ground and flight tests. Technologies relevant to the objectives of the TX program can be found in numerous disciplines and areas of research including: adaptive wing structures, ducted fan propulsion, lightweight composite materials, advanced flight control technology for stable transition from vertical to horizontal flight, hybrid electric drive, advanced batteries, and others. The workshop will: (a) Introduce the research community (industry, academia, and Government) to the TX program vision and objectives; (b) Explain the mechanics of a DARPA program and the milestones and metrics of this potential effort; and (c) Promote teaming arrangements among organizations having relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities to execute an interdisciplinary research program responsive to the TX program goals. The workshop will include overview presentations by Government personnel and a poster session to facilitate interaction and team building among the session participants. Potential participants should note that formation of teams with sufficient expertise to address all technical areas is critical. Workshop participants are strongly encouraged to prepare posters describing areas of capabilities in order to facilitate discussions during the poster session.
VBTP-MR for Brazil The Brazilian Army and Iveco Latin America today signed a contract for the supply of 2,044 units of the base model of the new family of armoured personnel carriers (VBTP-MR). The vehicles will replace the old models Urutu. The contract is valued at about $3.6 billion over 20 years. The manufacturing batch of 2,044 units is planned to start in 2012, with completion in 2030. The production of models, including engines, will take place in Brazil, where Iveco will prepare a production area
purposely designed to meet this demand. The local supply chain will involve more than 100 direct suppliers and some hundreds of indirect suppliers. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Army HQ in Brasilia, attended by General Enzo Martins Peri, Commander of the Brazilian Army, General Fernando Sérgio Galvão, Chief of Army Staff, the President of Iveco Latin America, Marco Mazzù and the General Manager of Iveco Defence Vehicles, Pietro Borgo.
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Soldier System
Canadian EOD Robot
The German government has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence, Düsseldorf, to manufacture a preproduction version of the company’s “Future Soldier – Expanded System”, or IdZ-ES. The order represents a major milestone on the path to equipping the Bundeswehr with this state-of-the-art infantry system. In the face of stiff national and international competition, Rheinmetall won the order to design the expanded system in mid 2006. The new version is intended to eliminate certain deficiencies identified in the basic system, particularly with regard to command and control capabilities and combat effectiveness. But IdZ-ES is more than an add-on or extension of the basic system. Based on an expanded user requirements profile and new findings resulting from extensive trials, it represents a new system in its own right. After supplying system demonstrators in 2008, knowledge gained during the risk reduction phase flowed into the specifications for the preproduction system. Based on this, proof of producibility is due at the beginning of 2011, a prerequisite for serial production in 2012 IdZ-ES is designed to bring a 10-man infantry section and its vehicle into the command loop of network-enabled operations. This network, consisting of reconnaissance assets, command and control components and fires, enables swift exchange of information, facilitating the creation of a common relevant operational picture, which forms the foundation for planning and executing military operations. On the helmet display, the soldier receives all the data he needs regarding the tactical situation, the location of friendly forces, the mission and the status of the system, which also includes GPS, an inertial navigation system and a magnetic compass. The system is more ergonomic than ever, featuring reduced weight, greater miniaturization and improved integration of individual components. IdZ-ES’s modular battle dress, body armour, and carrying system makes sure that soldiers can execute their missions even in extremely difficult operating conditions, providing protection from visual and infrared detection, the effects of the weather, and bacteriological and chemical agents. Flame-retardant materials and protection against insect bites enhance overall level of user comfort and safety. Integrated into the system is a compact electronic backpack element, containing the radio, soldier backbone computer, portable C4I computer for the squad leader and the GPS module.
The Canadian Department of National Defence has a requirement for the provision of four Dragon Runner Twenty Robot Systems (portable remote operated vehicles-explosive ordnance disposal (PROV-EOD) for immediate deployment as well as for relatedvequipment, spare parts and training. According to the government,Foster-Miller Inc. is the only firm that can produce a PROV-EOD system meeting all of the following mandatory requirements: 1. Must be capable of operation in two roles: a. explosive ordnance reconnaissance (EOR) role, and b. explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) role. 2. Must be capable of supporting the shock of firing a recoilless disruptor. 3. Must cater to the wide types of terrain and urban conditions encountered in dismounted operations, including, but not limited to: smooth polished surfaces, hard flat road surfaces, gravel, soft mud, fine sand, field stubble, plowed furrows, rocks and rubble with inclines up to 30 degrees, stairs at up to 20 cm with inclines up to 45 degrees and curbs up to 20 cm in height. 4. Must be capable of reconfiguration between the EOR and EOD roles within 5 minutes, in the open field, without workshop/special tools, by a single operator. 5. Must be capable of traversing, at minimum, a 15 cm gap. 6. Must, in both roles, be capable of operation in water at a depth of at least 75mm. 7. Must allow for field stripping within 10 minutes for cleaning of solid particles or grime from the entire vehicle, after wading through contaminated water up to 75mm deep. The cleaning will be done in the field using only clean water and a 1.25 cm paint brush (or similar tool), before stowage in the backpack. 8. Must have a low profile in the EOR role, with a maximum height of 20 cm and any aerial protruding above that height must be spring-loaded and not impede undervehicle inspection operation. 9. In either of the two roles, must be capable of being broken down for carriage in tactical day packs with no single component weighing more than 9kg and the maximum load being carried not exceeding 13.5 kg. 10. The must have a manipulation capability that includes at least: a. 3 degrees of freedom. b. Movement at slow speeds, under 1 cm/sec. c. 360 degree rotation about the vertical axis of the manipulator mounting. d. A gripper with at least an 8 cm opening. e. A gripper with at least 360 degree rotation. f. Capability to grip and lift at least a 1.75kg when manipulator arm is fully extended. 11. Must have a minimum speed of 6 km/h on a hard flat surface in all modes of operation (EOR and EOD roles) The recommended spares requirement is for 12-18 months of moderate to heavy use.
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Emerging Defense Technologies
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January 2010
On Target SANG Modernization
M1A1 SA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia. The government of Saudi Arabia has requested a possible sale for 2,742 BGM-71E-4B-RF Tube-Launched, OpticallyTracked, Wire-Guided (TOW-2A) radio frequency missiles (42 missiles are for lot acceptance testing), publications and technical documentation, and other related elements of logistics support. The proposed sale will support efforts to modernize the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG). The estimated cost is $177 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The SANG Modernization Program is an evolution of the SANG as an effective defensive force with the advice, assistance, and training of the U.S. Army. The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet and defeat current and future threats from enemy armored vehicles created by the development and fielding of first- and second- generation explosive reactive armor. Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Saudi Arabia, which already has previous TOW missile variants in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.
The U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a contract worth $14 million to purchase long-lead materials for the production of 140 M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) tanks for the Iraq program. The SA enhancements to the M1A1 for Iraq include a second-generation forwardlooking infrared (FLIR) thermal sight, a driver’s vision-enhancer thermal viewer and Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK) improvements, which provide better crew protection in urban warfare environments. In addition, engines developed through the Army’s Total Integrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) program will be installed and pulse-jet filter cleaning systems added to improve performance while reducing maintenance requirements and costs.
New UK Funding for Counter IED UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that about $240 million would be provided to help counter the IED threat in Afghanistan. Brown made this announcement during a statement to the House of Commons, December 14, 2009, following a visit to Kandahar and Helmand in Afghanistan. On the extra funding to counter the IED threat which has caused severe loss of life and injury amongst British troops in Afghanistan, Brown said: “I can announce that the latest tranche of urgent operational funding from the Treasury will include an extra GBP10m for handheld mine detectors to follow the GBP12m set aside earlier this year for new explosive disposal robots, over 30 of which are now in operation. “And I can also announce a package of longer-term investment in our counterIED capability, including new facilities for training and for intelligence, an extra GBP50m a year, GBP150m in total this year and over the next two years.” Brown also said that when he met
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Afghanistan’s President Karzai earlier this week he asked for and received an assurance of the new assistance the Afghan people will give us in detecting and dismantling IEDs. This includes Afghan armed forces trained to detect and disable IEDs, more local police on the ground, and better intelligence from the Afghan people about the source of IED attacks and encouragement not to harbour those planning explosive attacks on British soldiers. Speaking about his visit to Afghanistan, Brown said: “The first purpose of my visit was to thank our brave armed forces in a year in which 100 of their colleagues have made the ultimate sacrifice; to acknowledge and congratulate them on the dedicated work they continue to do day after day; and - as Christmas draws near - to wish them and their families well. “I speak for everyone when I say that the thoughts and prayers of the House and whole country are with them. British people are safer at home because our troops are fighting for our safety this Christmas in Afghanistan.” Brown reiterated that the strategy in
Afghanistan is to ensure that Al-Qaeda can never regain free rein there by weakening the Taliban and strengthening Afghanistan stage by stage, district by district, province by province, putting the Afghans in control of their security. But first, he said, we must address the Taliban insurgency with all the resources and power we have at our disposal. He added: “Yesterday I flew on one of the newlydeployed Merlin helicopters. In three years we have doubled helicopter numbers, and more than doubled helicopter flying hours; there will be further increases in both over the coming months. “I saw the mine-resistant Mastiff patrol vehicles, and the smaller but equally wellprotected Ridgback vehicles, and heard how since the summer we have increased the number of Mastiff by more than 80 per cent and almost doubled the number of Ridgback - hundreds of new vehicles funded from the Treasury Reserve which are now every month saving lives in Afghanistan. Brown also reiterated that the strategy in Afghanistan involves working with the Afghan Army and Police. He said: “President Karzai is increasing the number of Afghan troops in Helmand to 10,000 and already in recent weeks 500 new troops have
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January 2010
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CECOM BAA
Saudi M1A2
The U.S. Army CECOM, Research, Development and Engineering Center Command and Control Directorate has announced the expectation of a broad agency announcement (BAA) to award a number of research efforts through Fiscal Year 2010. The topics of interest are:
General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded $17.6 million for the purchase of long-lead materials that will be used to convert 15 M1A2 Abrams tanks to M1A2S tanks for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract was awarded to General Dynamics by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command for the Royal Saudi Land Forces. The contract is an addition to a $58 million 2008 award to General Dynamics to design, develop, convert, implement and test a hybrid configuration of the M1A1, M1A2 and M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) variants. The M1A2S vehicles will possess defined capabilities that increase lethality while limiting obsolescence. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2012.
Topic A: Radio Frequency (RF) Based Navigation Technologies for the Dismounted Soldiers. Proposals are sought that will identify, develop, demonstrate and advance the technologies of radio frequency (RF) based navigation for dismounted Soldiers in urban and indoor environments where GPS performance is degraded or unavailable. Topic B: Position and Navigation Technologies. The area of interest under this topic will center in advancing the technology to mitigate navigation system error growth and position displacement/velocity sensors. Topic C: Navigation Sensors Integration Techniques. The area of interest under this topic centers on integration techniques for the technologies stated in the Research Interest topic (A) radio frequency (RF) based navigation technologies for the dismounted soldiers and topic (B) position and navigation technologies of this solicitation. Topic D: GPS Receiver M-code. The area of interest is focused on activities that include conduct of concept analyses and simulation of M-code signal processing techniques to improve GPS receiver performance. arrived. “Once the police training college in Helmand is at full strength, from the spring we will be able to train 2,000 every year Yesterday I saw for myself the reality of British forces mentoring and partnering Afghan troops and the new momentum. “The Taliban are a determined adversary; they will not give up easily. I am under no illusions that there will be hard fighting ahead but I drew great confidence from the immense professionalism of our servicemen and women and from the telling effect they were having on the enemy, but also the galvanising impact they were having on the Afghan forces they were partnering.” Brown also reported that 36 countries have offered additional manpower to the Afghan campaign. He said: “We know that the planned increase in American, British and Afghan forces over the coming weeks and months will allow us to review force ratios and develop a new balance in Helmand. “As I have said to the House, the priority for the additional British forces is to thicken in central Helmand and to shift the emphasis further towards partnering Afghan forces. I can report to the House that commanders told me yesterday that already
in two-thirds of British bases our forces patrol jointly with their Afghan counterparts. “It is by partnering in this way - first in the Army and then with the police - that we will enable the Afghans to step up to the challenge of dealing with the Taliban and with extremism, and, ultimately, when the conditions are right, allow our troops to return home.” Brown said he also saw from his visit and from his discussions with commanders and civilian leaders that we are seeing the beginnings of the political process which must complement our military strategy: “Tribal and town elders already providing the kind of effective, accountable grass roots government which must be the foundation for any successful political strategy.” Brown also spoke about the importance of countering the Al-Qaeda threat in Pakistan, saying: “Our national security interests require us to deny the Al-Qaeda the space to operate across Pakistan and also to deny them the option of returning to operate in Afghanistan. “One of the biggest advances of the last year is the increased co-operation with the Pakistan authorities in support of their efforts in the fight against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda; and we want to build upon this in
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the coming months. “As part of our partnership with the Pakistani armed forces, construction is underway on the new UK-funded Baluchistan training facility in which British mentors will be working with Pakistani training staff on building the counter-insurgency capability of the 30,000-strong Baluchistan Frontier Corps. “And as part of our partnership with the civilian government of Pakistan, the new education task force jointly headed by Michael Barber and Minister Shahnaz Wazir Ali, and focused on implementing education reforms, is meeting for the first time today in Islamabad. “GBP250m of our development assistance to Pakistan is directed towards education, as I have agreed with President Zardari and earlier this month with PM Gilani, because nothing is more important in addressing the root causes of so many of Pakistan’s problems than building a strong universal state education system, free from extremist influences, and offering a viable alternative to low quality private schools - which include the poorly regulated and extremist madrassahs.”
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January 2010
Calendar of Events Soldier Technology January 19-22, 2009 WBR Crystal City, VA www.wbresearch.com Defence Logistics Middle East January 24-27, 2010 IDGA Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idga.org International Armoured Vehicles February 1-5, 2010 IDGA London, UK www.idga.org Tactical Wheeled Vehicles Conference February 7-9, 2010 NDIA Monterey, CA www.ndia.org Munitions Executive Summit February 8-10, 2010 NDIA Coronado, CA www.ndia.org Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Conference February 9-11, 2010 NDIA Washington, DC www.ndia.org DEFEXPO February 15-18, 2010 New Delhi, India www.defexpo.com AUSA Winter February 24-26, 2010 AUSA Fort Lauderdale, FL www.ausa.org
Kuwait City, Kuwait www.protexkuwait.com
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.dsaexhibition.com
Ground Robotics Capabilities Conference March 16-18, 2010 NDIA Miami, FL www.ndia.org
Global Explosive Ordnance Disposal April 27-30, 2010 NDIA Fort Walton Beach, FL www.ndia.org
Future Artillery March 25-26, 2010 IDGA London, UK www.idga.org MARCORSYSCOM APBI April 5-7, 2010 NDIA Baltimore, MD www.ndia.org Logistics Conference & Exhibition April 12-15, 2010 NDIA Miami, FL www.ndia.org SpecOps East April 12-15, 2010 Lodestar Group Fayetteville, NC www.defrensetradeshows.com Advances in Service Life Determination and Health Monitoring of Munitions April 12-15, 2010 NATO Research and Technology Organisation Turkey www.rta.nato.int Black Sea Defence & Aerospace April 13-15, 2010 Bucharest, Romania www.bsda.ro
NAVEXFOR March 1-3, 2010 Lodestar Group Virginia Beach, VA www.defensetradeshows.com
Science & Engineering Technology Conference April 13-15, 2010 NDIA Charleston, SC www.ndia.org
PROTEX Kuwait March 8-10, 2010
DSA April 19-22, 2010
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Armor Conference May 2010 FBC Inc. Fort Knox, KY www.fbcinc.com SpecOps West May 10-12, 2010 Lodestar Group Fort Lewis, WA www.defensetradeshows.com Fuze Conference May 11-13, 2010 NDIA Kansas City, MO www.ndia.org SOFEX May 10-13, 2010 Amman, Jordan www.sofexjordan.com Mortar Systems Conference May 17-18, 2010 Omega Conferences London, UK www.omconf.com Joint Armaments Conference/Exhibition/ Firing Demonstration May 17-20, 2010 NDIA Dallas, TX www.ndia.org Soldier Technology May 18-21, 2010 WB Research London, UK www.wbresearch.com Vehicle Survivability June 2010 Clarion Events www.vehicle-survivability.com/157/index. php?
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Technology Briefs Ammunition and Munitions
Artillery
Communications, Sensors & Surveillance
Ground Vehicles
Infantry Weapons Soldier Survivability and Gear Unmanned Ground Systems
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January 2010
Ammunition & Munitions Rotating Missile Guidance with Control Surface Relay Drive and System to This End Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country or origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to development of missile guidance systems (MGS). Proposed method comprises generation of modulates radiation at starting device , reception of radiation by missile and generation of control signals for vertical and horizontal planes. Aforesaid signals are modulated by relay three-position signals C(γ) and S(γ) shifted relative to each other though π/2, aforesaid signals being periodic as to missile bank angle (γ). Linearization signal is generated, inphase with aforesaid periodic signals, depending upon n = ω0/γ where ω0 is linearization signal frequency, γ is missile bank rotation frequency. Modulated control signals and linearization signal are summed to generate relay two-position signal via determining the sign of the above sum and conversion of obtained relay signal into missile control surfaces deflection (MCS). Note here that linearization signal is generated subject to condition of n=2 or n=4, depending upon MCS delay-γ product. The reported effect is higher accuracy of guidance. 5 drawings
Device for Penetrating and Exploding a Target Country of origin: USA Language: English A lethality device includes a penetrator structure configured to penetrate a target and an incendiary material disposed near the penetrator structure. The incendiary material self-ignites and is injected into the target after penetration of the target. A projectile includes a penetrator structure configured
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comprises missile with stabilization unit to allow axial missile rotation. Warhead separation assembly comprises uncoupling charge and pyro generator dynamically communicated, via gas path, with missile assembly and, via electric circuitry, with actuating assembly. Parachute compartment is furnished with parachute release mechanism rigidly fixed in parachute compartment head section with swivel attached to its bottom. Buoyancy device represents gas generator, inflatable enclosure mechanism of its release representing a piston coupled with sector casing. Aforesaid device is located between parachute compartment and useful load. The reported effect is higher efficiency of air defense. 1 drawing
to penetrate a target, an incendiary material disposed near the penetrator structure, and one or components other than the penetrator structure and the incendiary material disposed aft of the penetrator structure. Loads from the one or more components are transferred to the penetrator structure upon impact with the target. The incendiary material self-ignites and is injected into the target after penetration of the target. A method for defeating a target containing an ignitable material includes broaching or puncturing an outer skin of the target, selfigniting an incendiary material, injecting the ignited incendiary material into the target, and igniting a material disposed within the target. 4 drawings Device to Accurately Deliver Useful Load Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Institut prikladnoj fiziki Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to military equipment, particularly to accurate delivery of useful load, for example missiles with separating warheads, and can be used in air defense of military and civil objects. Proposed device
Warhead Intercepting System Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd Country of origin: Israel Language: English A warhead system for a projectileintercepting munition, the warhead system includes a fuselage having an axis and one or more explosively-formed-projectile charge.
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January 2010 The explosively-formed-projectile is with a length and configured to generate one or more explosively formed blade projectile propagating substantially perpendicular to the length, the explosively-formed-projectile charge assuming a deployed state wherein the length of the explosively-formedprojectile charge is non-parallel to the axis, the deployed state and the explosivelyformed-projectile charge configured such that, when the explosively-formed-projectile charge is detonated in the deployed state, the explosively formed blade projectile propagates in a direction non-coplanar with the length of the explosively-formedprojectile charge and the axis of the fuselage. 20 drawings Launching Tube with at Least One Screw Rectangular Groove and Mandrel to Produce Launching Tube Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Tsentral’nyj nauchno-issledovatel’skij institut spetsial’nogo mashinostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This set of designs relates to launching tube incorporated with rocket launchers. Proposed launching tube comprises at least one screw rectangular groove and rocket lock arranged in wedge-like symmetric recess with base on tube rear end face. Side surfaces of the tube form undercuts for dovetail joint with a lock partially fixed by its rear part of tapered mushroom-shaped stops. Lateral surfaces of aforesaid recess are formed by tape with its edge fitted on the tube inner cylindrical surface and inclined along normal to said surface. Helical surface of the tape features reducing inclination
29 angle to said normal from the recess narrow part decreasing aforesaid undercut and transforming the latter into chamfer in the zone of aforesaid mushroom-shaped stops nearby recess base. Said helical surface is located outside the screw line trajectory of the tube rectangular groove helical surface. Mandrel to produce launcher comprises cylindrical casing with at least one screw plate and wedge-like symmetric strip with its base arranged on casing edge. Lateral surfaces of said strip are formed by tape with its edge fitted on the tube inner cylindrical surface and inclined along normal to said surface to form undercut between strip and casing. Helical surface of the tape features reducing inclination angle to said normal from the recess narrow part decreasing aforesaid undercut and transforming the latter into chamfer nearby recess base. Said helical surface is located outside the screw line trajectory of the tube rectangular groove helical surface whereon tube rectangular screw bearing surface is formed. The reported effect is higher reliability and ease of manufacture. 12 drawings Artillery Shell Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to guided artillery shells. Proposed artillery shell features accelerating unit with disk, support and posts with holes, regularly fastened there between. Support represents a single housing furnished with six regular lengthwise slots accommodating blades fitted on axles therein. Through stepped holes are arranged in casing sectors between lengthwise slots that have threaded sections on the side of casing front face. Cylindrical posts are screwed into said through stepped holes. Inner holes of cylindrical posts and, partially, through steeped holes accommodate charges of bottom gas generator. Combustion products of the latter flow through said stepped hole into shell bottom part. The reported effect is higher hitting power, small sizes and low weight. 2 drawings
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Artillery Systems and Methods for Targeting Directed Energy Devices The Boeing Company Country or origin: US Language: English Systems and methods for targeting a directed energy system are provided. A particular system includes a first laser and a second laser. The system also includes a scanning system coupled to the first laser and the second laser. The scanning system is adapted to movably direct the second laser in a pattern around a pointing location of the first laser. 11 drawings
Nano-Enhanced Kinetic Energy Particles NovaCentrix Corp. Country of origin: US Language: English The current invention relates to the fields of
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January 2010
Emerging Defense Technologies ballistic and kinetic energy (KE) weapons. Specifically a novel apparatus and use of nanomaterials has been developed to make significant improvements over existing weapons. By incorporating nano-scale particles as a filler material for kinetic energy weapons several advancements are realized. 16 drawings Integrated Pusher Plate for a Canisteror Gun-Launched Projectile and System Incorporating Same Lockheed Martin Corp. Country of origin: US Language: English A pusher plate assembly for launching a projectile includes a pusher plate, a pressure seal circumferentially extending about the pusher plate, a cage extending from an aft side of the pusher plate, and a plurality of propellant portions disposed in the cage. A projectile system includes a launching tube, a projectile disposed in the launching tube, a pusher plate assembly disposed between an aft end of the projectile and the launching tube, a fuze, a charge igniter operatively associated with the fuze and the plurality of propellant portions, and a retainer disposed within the launching tube proximate a mouth of the launching tube. The pusher plate assembly includes a pusher plate, a pressure seal circumferentially extending about the pusher plate to seal an annulus between the pusher plate and the launching tube, a cage extending from an aft side of the pusher plate, and a plurality of propellant portions disposed in the cage. 9 drawings
Feed Operating Arm Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to weapons and serves to feed ammunition, for example ignition tubes, into breech lock chamber. Proposed device comprises magazine with feeding tray, slot that makes ammunition turn angle sector and communicates with ammunition outlet channel, turn over assembly with link acting upon ammunition and furnished with breech lock, and rammer. Slot and channel are arranged along normal to feeding tray plane. Aforesaid link represents a lever fitted on rotary axle. Note here that lever arm is furnished with shelf to act to ammunition and lengthwise wall overlapping the tray in lower position of the link. Rammer makes an element of articulation between link and breech lock and represents a bell crank arranged on magazine. Note also that one lever arm interacts with link to turn it, while the other arm interacts with breech lock frame. The reported effect is feeding and ramming ammunition in using breech lock with safe gas obturation, synch operation. 3 drawings
Lightweight Deployment System Country or origin: US Language: English The disclosed system, device and method for deploying a sub-module from a carrier vehicle generally includes: a sub-module projectile (100) housed within a carrier vehicle; a rolling diaphragm (115) sealed between a first pressure chamber volume (145) and a second sub-module containment
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Communications, Sensors & Surveillance Processes and Systems for Monitoring Environments of Projectile Weapons Country of origin: UK/US Language: English Processes and systems are disclosed for recording data relating to a shot by a projectile weapon. Environment data occurring prior to data indicating the occurrence of a shot by the projectile weapon is retained for subsequent evaluation. Such environment data includes, but is not limited to, ambient audio data, video data produced by a video camera associated with the projectile weapon, GPS data representing locations of the projectile weapon, electronic compass data representing orientations of the projectile weapon and acceleration data representing accelerations of the projectile weapon. 8 drawings
Device and Method for Measuring the Muzzle Velocity of a Projectile or Similar Rheinmetall Air Defence AG Country of origin: Switzerland Language: German The invention relates to a device for measuring the muzzle velocity (V0) of a projectile or similar and to a method that can implement said device. Said device comprises: a weapon barrel or a filling barrel as a wave guide, a signal generator that is electrically connected by a signal supply to at least one emission coupler for exciting the weapon or filling barrel, and a receiving line for transferring the measured signals of at
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least one receiving coupler to an evaluation device. The distance between the emission coupler and the receiving coupler is variable and can be individually selected according to the selection mode of the wave guide. The position of the receiving coupler in relation to the emission coupler depends upon the preferred measuring method. The receiving coupler is disposed between the base of the projectile and the emission coupler if the speed is measured after the projectile has passed, and the receiving coupler is between the tip of the projectile and the emission coupler if the speed is measured (V0) prior to the passing of the projectile. When both measuring methods are combined, at least two receiving couplers are integrated and the emission coupler is then placed between both receiving couplers. The electromagnetic field of the empty weapon and filling barrel is measured without the projectile, in front of the projectile or behind the projectile or in combinations therewith. The muzzle speed (V0) is determined from the measured signals. 2 drawings
Switch for the Control of Weapon Mounted Electronic Assemblies, a Weapon Having a Control Switch and a Method for Using Weapon Country of origin: US Language: English A switch assembly 16 which is selectively deployed upon a weapon and which normally causes electrical power to be
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communicated to a visible energy emission assembly 14 from a source of electrical power 90 and which requires positive actions to interrupt such communication. 21 drawings
Laser Gunsight System for a Firearm Handgrip Country of origin: US Language: English A laser sighting device for a firearm and a method for mounting a laser sighting device on a firearm. A laser sighting device for a firearm comprises a holder adapted to attach to the handgrip of the firearm such that the firearm may be held in a firing position by the handgrip with the device installed thereon, the holder including a first compartment for receiving a laser and holding the laser so as to propagate a beam of light substantially in the muzzle direction of the firearm, and a second compartment for receiving a battery to power the laser, a switch for activation of the laser by the user’s hand holding the handgrip in firing position, and an electrical circuit disposed within the holder for interconnecting a laser disposed in the first compartment, a battery disposed in the second compartment. 7 drawings
Emerging Defense Technologies
32 Combined Sight-Guidance Unit Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Peleng Country of origin: Russia Language: Russia This invention relates to optical instruments, particularly to sights and missile laser beam guidance unit. Sight-guidance unit comprises laser range finder transmitting channel including pulsed laser and second forming optical system, both being optically communicated. Receiving channel of laser range finder incorporates spectrum splitter arranged between lens and stadia hairs at angle to lens optical axis. Optical unit comprises “БкР”-180°-prism with its cover arranged within the limits of lens entrance pupil. The reported effect is higher accuracy of guidance. 3 drawings
Counter Target Acquisition Radar and Acoustic Adjunct for Classification Lockheed Martin Country of origin: US Language: English A system for classifying targets utilizes radar receptions and acoustic signatures of armament projectiles (e.g., bullets from celebratory rifle fire, mortars, cannon fire, artillery shells, or rockets, etc.) to associate ordinances with radar returns to better utilize a radar’s resources to acquire and track targets of interest. In one embodiment of the invention the system for classifying targets comprises: a radar system for detecting targets based upon radar receptions; an acoustic system for detecting targets based upon acoustic receptions; and a means for classifying the acoustic receptions into target types; a means for computing range, bearing and time of incidence for the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions; a
Emerging Defense Technologies
January 2010
means for associating the radar receptions and the acoustic receptions according to the classification. 25 drawings
Detecting and Tracking Targets in Images Based on Estimated Target Geometry Lockheed Martin Country of origin: US Language: English A system for detecting and tracking targets captured in images, such as people and object targets that are captured in video images from a surveillance network. Targets can be detected by an efficient, geometrydriven approach that determines likely target configuration of the foreground imagery based on estimated geometric information of possible targets. The detected targets can be tracked using a centralized tracking system. 5 drawings
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Ground Vehicles Interchanheable Door Plasan SAS Ltd Country of origin: Israel Language: English An interchangeable door system (IDS) having a central axis and at least two different opening configurations defined by corresponding different locations of the central axis. The system comprises a wall formed with a wall opening having a circumferential rim and a surface preformed with at least a first and a second surface-port. The first and second surfaceports are located along the circumferential rim at locations spaced apart from one another along a direction transverse to the central axis. The system further comprises a door having an outer contour corresponding in shape and dimensions to the opening and being adapted for revolving about the central axis, thereby opening and closing the wall opening. The door is pre-formed with at least a first and a second door-port, the door-ports being located along the outer contour at locations corresponding to the locations of the first and second surface-ports. The system also comprises an interchangeable door arrangement (IDA) adapted to provide selective engagement between each door-port and its corresponding surface-port, forming an engaged port-pair whose location defines the location of the central axis, to thereby bring the central axis into a location of the engaged port-pair, so as to allow the door to operate in the different configurations. 24 drawings
Armored Cab for Vehicle Nexter Systems Country of origin: France Language: French The invention relates to an armored cab for a vehicle, the cab comprising at least one floor on which at least one lateral wall
Emerging Defense Technologies is attached. Said cabin is characterized in that the floor and/or at least one lateral wall consists of a protective plate having at least one curved area at least partially covering a mechanical member or a mobility means. 4 drawings
Tank Armament Stabilization and Guidance Drive Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Spetsial’noe konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija I avtomatiki Country of origin: Russia Language: Russia This design relates to tank armament stabilizers and can be used to stabilize DC motor RPM. Proposed drive comprises power supply, stabilizer control unit, DC motor, transducer and electrical auxiliaries unit, and electronic static transducer. Note here that the latter features cylindrical housing consisting of two metal bases, one of side which being furnished with ribs. Said bases are jointed so that their ribs are directed inward. On opposite ends of one base, right between the ribs, fans are arranged, while the other side of the bases accommodates power gadgets of aforesaid electronic static transducer. Aforesaid bases are tightly closed by semi-cylindrical covers from outside. The reported effect is expanded performances. 4 drawings
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Unknown (Subject: Tank Roadwheels) Country of origin: China Language: Chinese 6 drawings
Belly System for a Vehicle Plasan SAS Ltd Country of origin: Israel Language: English According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a reinforced cabin for a vehicle adapted to protect the interior of the cabin against a threat of a certain maximal force. The vehicle cabin is defined by at least a vehicle belly and side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The cabin comprises a vehicle floor extending between the side walls and spaced a distance L1 from the vehicle belly; at least one passenger seat comprising a seat portion parallel to the floor, and positioned such that there extends a space of a distance L2 between the seat portion and the vehicle floor; and at least one resistance member having a proximal end fixedly attached to the belly and a distal end adjacent the vehicle floor, and located at least partially underneath the seat portion. The belly is adapted to undergo upward deformation under the certain maximal force towards the floor of a distance L3. The vehicle
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34 floor is formed with at least one opening adapted to slidingly receive therethrough the resistance member in order to allow the distal end thereof to assume a position elevated a distance equal to the distance L3 above the vehicle floor. The arrangement is such that L2.gtoreq.L3, L1.gtoreq.L3 and L3<L4, wherein L4 is the maximal upward deformation which the belly would undergo towards the floor under the maximal force, in the absence of the at least one resistance member. 6 drawings Intelligent Vehicle Safety Restraint System Millen Works Country of origin: US Language: English A resettable combat vehicle restraint system prevents secondary impacts within the vehicle cabin during crash, mine blast, or rollover events by positioning the occupant within a load attenuating seat to best survive the dangerous event. The preferred embodiment of the restraint system includes a five point restraint, webbing retractors for each lap and shoulder belt with the capability for both reversible and pyrotechnic pretensioning, an active headrest, and a crash recognition module to electrically activate the pyrotechnic pretensioners and to electrically modulate the actions of the reversible pretensioning retractors and the active headrest. 9 drawings
Personal Protection Apparatus for Vehicles Country of origin: US Language: English The invention provides a personal protection
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apparatus for use in vehicles comprising: a behind-the-seat ballistic shield provided with support means extending to the floor of the vehicle for distributing a weight component of the shield, and a deployable protective ballistic shield and visor articulately linked to the behind-the-seat ballistic shield for protecting the upper chest, neck and head areas of a driver and displaceable between an active deployed position in front of the driver and a storage position. 7 drawings
Armor Repair Kit Triton Systems Inc Country of origin: US Language: English An armor repair kit including repair putty and a scrim having a plurality of ceramic constituents attached thereto and methods for using a repair putty, scrims and kits to repair damaged armor are described herein. 8 drawings
Track Drive Assembly Country of origin: US Language: English A track assembly having a drive sprocket capable of concentrically supporting several detachable drive rings containing drive teeth shaped to rotate without interfering with track support idler wheels, to provide a reduced center of gravity and substantially provide the same vehicle operating characteristic with tracks as with wheels. A
January 2010
track retainer guide member mounts along a peripheral edge of the track and overlies the track to resist track dislodgement. Independent and/or resiliently biased, rocker arms support track idler wheels to induce track flexion and conformance to encountered obstructions. 7 drawings
Adjustable LED Lighting System, Kit Country of origin: US Language: English A light emitting diode lighting system and kit includes a plurality of matched pairs of breakaway light emitting diode assemblies adapted to be mounted in a primary lamp holder where each individual matched pair assembly includes: (1) a light emitting diode coupled to a printed circuit board; (2) a break away housing adapted to be pressed fit over the light emitting diode; and (3) a breakaway lens adapted to be pressed fit into the housing to facilitate controlling the spread of light emitted by said light emitting diode from a wide range angle O to a narrow range angle .beta. at a user selected breakaway angle .theta. of between about A degrees to about B degrees. 27 drawings
Tensioning and Suspension System for Trailer Scheetz Inc Country of origin: US Language: English A trailer that includes a belts that each
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January 2010 encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel and have a ground engaging surface and a wheel engaging surface, the wheel engaging surface having lugs thereon for mating with the apertures in the front wheel and the rear wheel such that when the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel rotates, the belt is positively driven and at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, the at least one belt tensioning system includes a track tension cylinder operatively mounted between an axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel and the main frame, wherein the track tension cylinder maintains tension on the belt by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal. 26 drawings
Mine Detonating Apparatus Country of origin: UK Language: English A steerable mine detonation apparatus is adapted to be pushed by a steered vehicle. The apparatus comprises a frame and at least two spaced apart ground engaging members adapted to support the apparatus and adapted to exert a force on mines in the apparatusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; path of sufficient to cause detonation thereof. At least one ground engaging member is steerable, and at least one steerable ground engaging member is attached to the frame so as to pivot with respect thereto about a substantially vertical axis and is connected to a steering linkage, the apparatus further comprising a steering mechanism operatively connected to the steering linkage and, in use, to the pushing vehicle. An actuator adapted to vary the configuration of the steering mechanism, is controlled to provide that, in use, the turning radius of at least a part of the innermost ground engaging member is less than or equal to the a turning radius of the innermost wheel of the pushing vehicle, and the turning radius
35 of at least a part of the outermost ground engaging member is greater than or equal to the a turning radius of the outermost wheel of the pushing vehicle. 19 drawings
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Infantry Weapons Tactical Firearrn Systems and Methods of Manufacturing Ashbury International Group Country of origin: US Langage: English Tactical firearm systems and methods of manufacturing tactical firearm systems are discussed herein. In some embodiments, a tactical weapons platform can comprise a forend assembly adapted to house a portion of a barrel; a receiver assembly detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to interface with a bolt action; and a butt stock assembly detachably coupled to the receiver assembly. In other embodiments, a modular stock assembly for a bolt action rifle can generally comprise a forend assembly, a receiver assembly, and a butt stock assembly. The forend assembly can have a body adapted to house a barrel in a free floating configuration, wherein the body surrounds at least a portion of the length of the barrel. The receiver assembly can be detachably coupled to the forend assembly and adapted to directly interface with a bolt action without bedding. The butt stock assembly can be detachably coupled the receiver assembly by a hinge. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described herein. 24 drawings
Adjustable Rifle Telescope System with Multiple Fixed angle Mount Setpoints Country of origin: US Language: English A rifle telescope has optics having an optical axis, a scope support portion that supports the optics, and a base portion that mounts
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January 2010
Emerging Defense Technologies to a firearm having a barrel axis. The scope support portion has at least two different settings, each setting providing a different angle between the optical axis and the barrel axis. The invention may also include each setting being a discrete fixed setting. The present invention also includes a method for adjusting the angle mount of an adjustable rifle telescope with multiple fixed angle mount setpoints. 7 drawings Front Sight Attachment on Barrel FEDERAL’NOE GOSUDARSTVENNOE UNITARNOE PREDPRIJaTIE “IZhEVSKIJ MEKhANIChESKIJ ZAVOD Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to small arms, particularly to front sight attachments. Proposed front sight attachment comprises base with hole accommodating front sight to vertically mover therein. Arm barrel has stop element representing compression spring. Front sight is screwed onto base. The reported effect is simplified design. 1 drawing
Lockable Safety for Firearm Pikielny Dov Country of origin: Israel Language: English A firearm including a safety that moves between a safe position that does not permit firing of the firearm and a fire position that permits firing of the firearm, and a lock that locks the safety in the closed position wherein the lock includes an ambidextrous locking mechanism actuable from both sides of the firearm.
Reactive Absorbing Silencer for Small Arms Penzenskij Artillerijskij Inzhenernyj Institut Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to multi-chamber expansion silencer to kill sound originating in shooting from small arms, that features minor unmasking effects. Proposed silencer comprises casing arranged ahead of barrel muzzle face, hollow chamber and funnellike diaphragm with hole to bullet. Silencer is furnished with sound-absorbing circular chamber accommodating 2 mm-diameter metal pellets arranged in steel-wise net with hole size of 1 x 1 mm. Note that hollow chamber length makes 60 to 80 mm. The reported effect is reduced sound intensity at invariable silencer sizes. 5 drawings
Shooting Device Gosudarstvennoe obrazovatel’noe uchrezhdenie vysshego professional’nogo obrazovanija Baltijskij gosudarstvennyj tekhnicheskij universitet VOENMEKh im. D.F. Ustinova (BGTU VOENMEKh Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to launchers exploiting high-rate hot gas flow to throw solid bodies. Proposed device consists of metal lining tube and metal-base laminate shell. The former represents metal spring, while the latter consists of at least one metal thin-sheet layer and composite fibrous material (CFM) layer with polymer matrices. The reported effect is increased CFM carrying capacity and device higher bending strength. 2 drawings
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January 2010 Method of Training in High-Rate Fire from Pistol Petrov Aleksandr Ivanovich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This set of inventions relates to training sportsmen-shooters in firing from pistols. Proposed method consists in imparting skills in holding pistol in shooting, namely in counteracting automatic recoil force that push it back along barrel axis by hardly holding the pistol handle between thumb and right hand forefinger. It comprises also imparting skills in counteracting piston turning with respect to pistol center of mass by hardly pressing little finger and ring finger of holding hand against pistol handle, and imparting the skill to counteract barrel displacement from sighting line in depressing trigger by clamping forefinger base joint, thumb joint base
37 and thumb second joint, hardly pressed towards pistol frame. In imparting skills of holding pistol by two hands, the shooter in trained in holding pistol by two hands and counteracting automatic recoil force that push it back along barrel axis by hardly holding the pistol handle between thumb and right hand forefinger, and in counteracting pistol turning with respect to pistol center of mass by hardly pressing little finger and ring finger of holding hand against pistol handle. Note here that little finger and ring finger of right hand are rigidly placed on little finger and ring finger of right hand, while third or second phalanx of forefinger is used as a rigid rest for trigger safety guard. Note also that in imparting skills of counteracting pistol barrel displacement, possible on depressing trigger, from sighting line in horizontal plane by locking pistol handle. The latter is locked by pressing forefinger base joint against left-hand thumb base pad whereon right-hand thumb is placed as required. The reported effect is higher efficiency of training. 15 drawings Method of Holding Automatic Rifle in High Rate, Single Shot of Automatic Fire Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to weapons and can be used in training shooters in shooting from automatic rifles or carbines. Proposed method consists in imparting skills in holding automatic rifle in shooting, namely in counteracting automatic recoil force that push it back along barrel axis by hardly pressing the butt into shooterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoulder and web between thumb and forefinger pistol grip rear base. It comprises also imparting skills in counteracting automatic
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rifle turning and barrel toss- up by hardly pressing the butt into shooterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoulder till recess appears on uniform and body that eliminates butt rear part motion. Skill to counteract automatic rifle barrel toss-up is acquired by hard pressing face cheek against butt ridge and pushing hard the barrel down by hand that holds pistol grip, and, simultaneously, by another hand, fixed in wrist and elbow joint, directed rearward and downward, counteracting barrel tossup and force caused by cartridge case extraction. It comprises as well imparting the skill to counteract barrel displacement from sighting line in depressing trigger by clamping forefinger base joint, thumb joint base and thumb second joint, hardly pressed towards breech frame. The reported effect is higher efficiency of training. 13 dwg Apparatus and System For Simulating of Shooting a Grenade Launcher Korea Elecom Country of origin: South Korea Language: English A grenade launcher simulation apparatus and a grenade launcher simulation system are provided. The grenade launcher simulation system includes a grenade launcher simulation apparatus, a central control device, and at least one or more personal sensing terminals. When shooting information according to shooting of the grenade launcher simulation apparatus is received, the personal sensing terminal to which the personal sensing terminal is registered transmits impact point location information to the central control device or the personal sensing terminal. The central control device transmits the received impact point location information to other personal sensing terminals, and the personal sensing terminals that receive the impact point location information personal sensing
Emerging Defense Technologies
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January 2010
terminal compare location information of the personal sensing terminals with the impact point location information to generate damage information and transmit the damage information to the central control device or the personal sensing terminal to which the grenade launcher simulation apparatus is registered. The personal sensing terminal that receives the damage information displays shooting location and damage location of the personal sensing terminal and damage location on a display unit. Accordingly, it is possible to simulate an actual grenade launcher by using a wireless communication network. 10 drawings Bench Launcher to Test Small Arms or Rockets Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to devices intended for testing small arms or rockets, particularly flame throwers and grenade launchers. Proposed launcher comprises platform with rectilinear guides furnished with end stops, and moving carriage with weapons clamp. Moving carriage interacts with guides by embracing clamps, while compression springs are arranged on its both sides on guides, right between the carriage and end stops. Platform can effect angular motion vertically and horizontally and is provided with aiming mechanisms. Layer of solid lubricant is applied on guide surfaces between aforesaid clamps. Linear acceleration pickup is fastened on moving carriage. The reported effect is shooting without operator, along with simulation of operator reaction to recoil force, its pulse being controlled. 2 drawings
Emerging Defense Technologies
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Soldier Survivability & Gear Ballistic Resistant Plate and Method for Producing Same Country of origin: Israel Language: English A ballistic resistant armor plate. The plate is a stack of laminae impregnated with an elastomer. Each lamina is a fabric of polyaramis impregnated with the elastomer. To prepare the armor plate, the stack of pre-impregnated laminae is cured, typically using heat and pressure. Typically, the elastomer does not react chemically with the but rather serves as a filler and binder. 8 drawings
Barrier System for Protection Against Low Flying Projectiles Mitittech LLC Country of origin: US Language: English
RPGs, to reduce the likelihood of a fuzedetonating impact. The barrier system, which includes a frame-supported net and net suspension, preferably with energy absorbing characteristics, preferably is modular and portable so that similar barrier units can be arranged, and optionally joined together, to form a wider line of defense, such as a defensive perimeter around a potential target area. 13 drawings
condensation composition. The former is arranged along the chamber axis and features length making at least 0.5 of chamber length. Note here that dispersing charge weight-tochemo condensation composition weight ratio varies from 1: 30 to 1:45 or from 1:55 to 1:100. The reported effect is maximum volume of aerosol curtain and sufficient masking properties. 1 drawing
Smart Laminates Novameet BV, Kranz Bart Clemens, and Backer Jan Adolph Dam Country of origin: Netherlands Language: English A laminate for anti ballistic purposes is proposed which comprises unidirectionally placed polymeric tapes with a E-modulus of an individual polymeric tape of at least 50 GPa and a square meter weight of the laminate above 150 grams. 0 drawings
Improved Bullet-Proof Glazing Saint Gobain Country of origin: France Language: French The subject of the invention is the use of a transparent splinter-proof and/or bullet-proof laminate, at least part of the thickness of which is formed from a mosaic comprising at least two transparent components, in order to limit the deterioration of the laminate away from that one of said at least two components which receives an impact; such a laminate has dimensions greater than the maximum possible dimensions of a singlecrystal sapphire plate, at least part of the thickness of which is formed from an at least partially transparent mosaic and at least one of the external faces of which is formed from a continuous transparent sheet; architectural glazing or automotive glazing comprising this laminate. 0 drawings
Round to Produce Aerosol Masking Curtain Vojskovaja chastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 44239 Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to anti-terrorism means. Proposed round comprises housing with at least one chamber isolated from atmosphere and accommodating dispersing explosive charge and liquid chemo
A barrier system acts to gradually decelerate and arrest low-flying projectiles, such as
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A Ballistic and/or Blast Protection Material and a Structure Protected by Such a Material Scanfiber Composites Country of origin: Denmark Language: English A ballistic and/or blast protection material comprises at least first and second ballistic
Emerging Defense Technologies
40 composite panels and disposed between each pair of adjacent ballistic composite panels a respective core of a blast damping material. The ballistic composite panels preferably each consist of filaments of glass fiber, aramide, polyethylene or another high strength fiber said filaments either being disposed generally parallel to one another in layers in a matrix of a thermoplastic or a thermosetting plastic with the filaments of one layer crossing with the filaments in an adjacent layer, or with the filaments forming a woven fabric and a plurality of layers of said fabric being combined in a matrix of thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. Said ballistic panels can be bolted together by bolts. 14 drawings Bullet-Resistant Transparent Laminate Composite and Protection Arrangement ESW GMBH Country of origin: Germany Language: English A bullet-resistant transparent laminate composite has at least two plates arranged one behind the other and at a spacing relative to each other in the direction of threat and comprising a transparent first material with a modulus of elasticity of at least about 1,500 N/mm2, and a respective intermediate layer of a transparent second material with a lower modulus of elasticity than that of the first material between two adjacent plates. The layer thicknesses of the plates and the intermediate layer or layers are so selected that the overall layer structure of the layer composite of plates and intermediate layer or layers has a modulus of elasticity which is at least about 10% lower in comparison with a block made exclusively from the first material and of the same overall thickness. 16 drawings Apparatus for Defeating High Energy Projectiles Country of origin: South Africa/US Language: English The disclosed armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles includes a leading layer, relative to the projectile trajectory, positioned exterior to the hull; a first plurality of sheet-like layers of a low density material positioned between the leading layer and the hull; and a second plurality of sheet-like high strength metal layers positioned between the leading layer and the hull. The individual ones of the
Emerging Defense Technologies
first plurality of high strength metal layers are positioned alternating with, and to the rear of, individual ones of the second plurality of low density material layers. The leading layer can be one of a sheet-like metal layer, a metalicized grid layer, and the outer-most layer of the first plurality of low density materials layers. The materials of the high strength metal layers may be selected from high strength steel and high strength aluminum, and the materials of the low density material may be selected from low density polypropylene composites and R-Glass composites. 12 drawings
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The composite may provide adequate protection from projectiles while exhibiting large surface areas and relatively low areal densities. 6 drawings Layered Ballistic-Resistant Material Country of origin: US Language: English A ballistic-resistant material having a first exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, a second exterior layer formed of a ballistic-resistant non-woven textile, and an interior layer of ballisticresistant woven textile arranged between the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer. The woven textile is a tight weave. The woven layer a high occupation, high fabric density woven textile at or near the technical jamming point of fabric construction. Also disclosed are articles made from the ballistic-resistant material. 12 drawings
Transparent Ceramic Composite Country of origin: US Language: English A ceramic composite and method of making are provided. The ceramic composite may be transparent and may serve as transparent armor. The ceramic portion of the composite may be single crystal sapphire.
Firearm Fastener S&S Precision LLC Country of origin: US Language: English Embodiments include a method and apparatus for removably connecting a firearm, accessory, or tool to a surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The apparatus
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January 2010 may include a first connecting member operatively connectible to the firearm, accessory, or tool and a second connecting member operatively connectible to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. The first connecting member and second connecting member are capable of connection to one another to connect the firearm, accessory, or tool to the surface, material, object, belt, vehicle, pocket, or tactical equipment. 13 drawings Flexible Knife Resistant Composite Country of origin: US Language: English A flexible knife resistant composite incorporating a stack of at least five knife resistant textile layers, where each knife resistant textile layer comprises monoaxially drawn tape elements. The tape elements contain a base layer strain oriented olefin polymer with at least one covering layer of a heat fusible olefin polymer on the base layer and the covering layer is characterized by a softening temperature below that of the base layer. The tape elements within each layer are consolidated to one another by the covering layer and the tape elements of one layer are not consolidated to the tape elements of the adjacent layers. 11 drawings
41 Personal; Gear Attachment System and Apparatus Country of origin: US Language: English An apparatus and method for attaching gear pieces to a webbed panel such as, for example, the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS). Using the apparatus and method described herein, a gear piece can be attached to an application member configured for easy attachment to an interface member, the interface member preferably having been previously attached to a webbed panel. 31 drawings Gunnery Training Device Using a Weapon GDI Simulation Country of origin: US Language: English The invention relates to a gunnery training device using a weapon, said device being characterized in that it comprises video capturing means for capturing the field of vision, angular capturing means for detecting angles defining the position of insertion of the synthesis images, processing means for inserting, in real-time, synthesis images into the captured field of vision, and means for visualizing the captured field of vision containing said at least one inserted synthesis image. 5 drawings
High Strength Military Steel Country of origin: US Language: English A low cost high hardness, high strength, and high impact toughness steel for military articles such as armor plates, bodies of deep penetrating bombs, and missiles. After oil quenching, refrigerating, and low tempering, the new steel consisting of (% wt.): C=0.35, Cr=1.32, Mo=0.35, W=0.52, Ni=2.66, Mn=0.85, Cu=0.51, Si=0.83, V=0.26, Ti=0.12, and a balance of Fe and incidental impurities has a HRC of 55, UTS of 301 ksi, YS of 233 ksi; and Charpy V-notch impact toughness energy of 26 ft-lbs. 2 drawings
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Unmanned Ground Systems Mobile Station for Unmanned Vehicle Country of origin: US Language: English A mobile station for an unmanned vehicle comprises a vehicular storage area for storing a vehicle during transit or at rest. A first wireless transceiver communicates a status or command between the vehicle and the mobile station during at least one of vehicular deployment and rest. A station controller manages a management plan of the vehicle comprising at least one of retooling the vehicle, loading a payload on the vehicle, and recharging or refueling of the vehicle. 13 drawings
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Walking Robot Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd Country of origin: South Korea Language: English A walking robot, in which driving structures of a pitch direction hip joint and a knee joint of a leg are enhanced. The walking robot includes a trunk, and a plurality of legs connected to the trunk, at least one leg among the plurality of legs includes a thigh link, a calf link provided at the lower portion of the thigh link, a pitch direction hip joint connecting the trunk and the thigh link and rotating the thigh link against the trunk in a pitch direction, and a knee joint connecting the thigh link and the calf link and rotating the calf link against the thigh link in the pitch direction. The pitch direction hip joint and the knee joint are interlocked with each other and are driven by one interlocking actuator. 6 drawings
Hitch System Country of origin: US Language: English A hitch assembly for a bomb disposal robot has a female hitch receiver and a pinned flange coupled to the female hitch receiver,
the pinned flange for removably attaching the hitch assembly to the ringed drawbar of the bomb disposal robot. 5 drawings
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