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Volume 4, Issue 3
Ground Combat Technology
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ground combat technology Features
August 2013 Volume 4, Issue 3
Cover / Q&A
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Micro UAVs
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Small aircraft provide huge benefits. Advances in technology have allowed for the miniaturization of air frames and sensors. Now the SUAS family is expanding, while becoming smaller and more agile. By Peter Buxbaum
Testing is well underway and the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support is eager to select the best joint light tactical vehicle for the future joint force. We look at who’s got the edge. By Henry Canaday
JLTV Update
11
21
25
On two wheels and four, lighter vehicles and hybrid motorcycles will take warfighters into battle with more stealth and less cost. DoD is asking industry to find the limits of what they can achieve. By KMI Staff
Any LNS must be easily integrated and has to be highly accurate. Logistics applications include reducing manpower in a convoy. We look at how the latest in land navigation developments support troops from the ground, air, and space. By Jeff Campbell
Slipping up on the enemy in the dark, warriors are invisible. But they can see the enemy clearly thanks to night vision systems, including newer assets that provide clear black-and-white views instead of the old green scene. This enables our troops to separate threats from non-combatants. By Jeff Campbell
Innovation with the Warfighter in Mind
Departments 2 Editor’s Perspective 3 intel 4 People 14 Innovations 27 Resource Center
Land Navigation Systems
Night Vision Systems
Industry Interview Dr. Shawn Mueller, Ph.D. CEO and Developer Centech Inc.
28
16 Brigadier General John J. McGuiness
Program Executive Officer PEO Ammunition
“We have shown agility in delivering over 70 operational needs statement and joint operational needs statements to field everything from force protection equipment to counter-IED/mine equipment.” — Brigadier General John J. McGuiness
EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Ground Combat Technology Volume 4, Issue 3 • August 2013
The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter Editorial Editor Jeff Campbell jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Online Editorial Manager Laura Davis laurad@kmimediagroup.com Copy Editors Sean Carmichael seanc@kmimediagroup.com Laural Hobbes lauralh@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents Kathryn Bailey • Peter Buxbaum Henry Canaday • John M. Doyle • Calvin Pilgrim Marc Selinger
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Producing and fielding systems that deliver success to every mission is more of an art than a science. Lieutenant Colonel Leith Ames, assistant program manager for visual augmentation systems weapons accessories at SOCOM Program Executive Office Special Operations Forces (SOF) Warrior, explained why at the 8th Annual Institute for Defense and Government Advancement Night Vision Systems Conference. “There really isn’t a one solution that gives success to every mission,” Ames told a classroom full of academia and industry electro-optical/infrared leaders in Arlington, Va. “If you have constant and consistent collaboration with the operator, that will equal mission success.” Jeff Campbell PEO SOF Warrior is feeling the effects of the resource-constrained environ- Editor ment, so the office is focused on ensuring SOF operators have the right visual augmentation systems to maintain the advantage over an enemy. Ames cited fusion goggles as an example. “They’re a great capability, but we can’t necessarily field that to everyone,” he said. So, the capability that the Special Operations Research, Development, and Acquisition Center (SORDAC) went with in that case was a clip-on device at one-third the cost of a full system. The capabilities SORDAC seeks for SOF are a dynamic, constant situation, making it critical to have an operator involved at industry design reviews. That involvement can make the process longer, but Ames said it will lead to long-tern success—for example, when an operator is present to point out “that cable’s just not going to work when he’s in this position.” SOCOM’s tactical assault light operator suit (TALOS) is one such goal that requires collaboration from the start. Night vision is one of the many capabilities SOCOM wants the operator to have in the TALOS suit, with an end goal of improving the operator’s lethality and mobility. “TALOS gives us a focus down the road for all of our capabilities holistically,” Ames said. Whether for a special operation or routine mission, night vision systems operators require a couple key capabilities: to be able to toggle on and toggle off during a mission, and to make decisions during the mission. As SOF teams spread around the world, opportunities to reach back to a forward operating base for resupply will shrink, so it’s even more important for an operator to have everything needed for a mission. This in turn makes military and industry relationships more important than ever.
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INTEL
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
REF Completes CROSSHAIRS Exercise The U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF) completed the counter rocket shooter system with highly accurate immediate response system (CROSSHAIRS) enhanced net modernization exercise to evaluate operational readiness and reduce risk before the system goes to theater and to the network integration exercise in the fall. CROSSHAIRS Enhanced is a spiral, development effort funded by REF to expand on the basic CROSSHAIRS capability. The demonstration was conducted at the product director command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and network modernization site. CROSSHAIRS Enhanced provides a complete 4G LTE capability using a mobile server and other equipment designed to network all vehicles and soldiers in a convoy. During the two-week exercise, vendors, scientists, engineers and U.S. Army cadets simulated real-world missions to characterize signal range capabilities and limitations, analyze power consumption, and provide end user feedback. The demonstration represents a major development in the U.S. Army’s efforts to bring 4G LTE networking capability to soldiers in austere operating environments. The exercise illustrates that soldier feedback, received by the appropriate U.S. Army partners and boosted by rapid development and equipping, is pivotal in delivering game changing capabilities to the warfighter on the tactical edge in a short period of time. The REF partnered with DARPA to equip the original CROSSHAIRS systems to units in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012. CROSSHAIRS is a modular set of capabilities that includes: direct fire detection and direction finding; a slew to cue capability using the existing common remotely operated weapon system; and a command and control display that can be
mounted on any vehicle platform. The system gives convoys the situational awareness required to make critical operational decisions, such as to engage an enemy or not based on positive identification of a combatant. The initial feedback was positive, but also shed light on further operational needs. “The feedback was, ‘Hey, CROSSHAIRS is great, but I need the same information and video feeds when I dismount,’” said REF scientist Dr. Jesse Hester. “If a soldier encounters a threat while on dismount patrol, they do not want to have to run back to the vehicle to see the CROSSHAIRS video. It would be much better if they could take cover in place and access the same situational awareness.” Additionally, soldiers requested the video feeds to be shared in all vehicles of the convoy. In November 2012, the REF began investigating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and governmentoff-the-shelf (GOTS) equipment to provide an “on the go” network bubble and to deliver video feed to subsequent vehicles in a convoy and dismounted troops. The suite they added includes 4G antennas, UAS signal processor, video integration and display units, networking equipment as well as the required power supply and air conditioning units. Additionally, CROSSHAIRS enhanced provides a Maxx Pro vehicle configuration for additional convoy vehicles. The Maxx Pro will be outfitted with a 4G receiver, the video display unit, as well as a 4G router. Finally, to address the dismounted troops, CROSSHAIRS enhanced provides up to 20 intersquad, COTS smart phone receivers. Project Manager Soldier Warrior (SWAR) selected the Samsung Note II; however, the CROSSHAIRS Enhanced suite is technology-independent and will
be compatible with any smartphone selected by the program manger. Many U.S. Army partner organizations were working similar network modernization issues and partnered with REF on the cosshairs enhanced effort. Product Director C4ISR and Networking Modernization provided the venue and exercise planning. Project Manager Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) will be the future PM of the 4G system. PM SWAR provided the mobile phone software as part of the Army’s Nett Warrior program. Project Manager Close Combat Weapons System provided the containerized weapon system. Project Manager Night Vision/Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target provided the Cerberus system. By working together, these partners were able to rapidly define the CROSSHAIRS enhanced package upgrades, successfully integrate the COTS and GOTS solutions and conduct the mission-based exercise in less than five months. “Without these partnerships, situational awareness data would remain in vehicles and at top levels and not pushed to the tactical edge, where it’s needed most,” said Major Ty LaStrapes, science and technology director at the REF. This marks the first success in a larger longterm initiative, the Office of Secretary of Defense’s Joint Capability Technology Demonstration called Joltedtactics. Joltedtatics is an Internet Protocol-based system designed to provide robust communications to tactical users. This system leverages innovations in 4G LTE cellular technologies and mobile Ka-band spread spectrum satellite communications to deliver megabits of data to mobile and dismounted teams armed with mobile devices such as smartphones or netbooks. By REF Public Affairs Officer Kara Ewell
Power Products for Command and Control Shelters API Technologies Corp. (API), a provider of RF/microwave, microelectronics, and security solutions for critical and high-reliability applications, has announced it will provide its power entry panels for use in U.S Department of Defense operations mobile command and control shelters. The power entry panels are part of a DoD size, weight and
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power initiative, aimed at making equipment smaller and more easily man-portable for in-field service. The power entry panels feature 60 AMP, 3 Phase, 120/208 VAC and 200 AMP options, 28 VDC power distribution; two battery chargers; and power quality monitoring. A lowvoltage disconnect is also incorporated to protect the vehicle battery from falling below optimum crank
voltage. The power entry panels meet MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD810 requirements and have a size and weight-reduced design for improved efficiency and serviceability. Power and systems solutions by API Technologies offer defense, military, and commercial customers power distribution products, as well as box
builds, build-to-print services, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) disrupter accessories. API manufactures AC and DC power distribution products, circuit protection systems, power rectifiers, and award-winning EOD products under the product brands Spectrum Power, API Electronics, TM Systems, Hawki and Cobra Sight.
GCT 4.3 | 3
INTEL
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Portable Chemical Munitions Identification System Introduced The Ortec Products Group of Advanced Measurement Technology announced the introduction of the PINS3-CF Portable Chemical Munitions Identification System. PINS 3-CF was developed to safely detect and identify chemicals inside thick steel containers or elsewhere and to quickly determine whether or not those chemicals pose a hazard. The PINS3-CF system provides nondestructive analysis using a small neutron source to penetrate a container. At the heart of the system is an Ortec portable Trans-Spec-P high-purity germanium spectrometer that measures for and identifies potentially hazardous chemicals using a special algorithm and software developed in partnership with Idaho National Labs. “The PINS3-CF system is specifically designed around our new mechanically cooled Trans-Spec-P portable spectrometer,” said Frank Vorwald, Ortec business unit manager.
“The Trans-Spec-P allows our end users to accurately locate and identify a potential threat at its source, regardless if it is hidden inside a container or elsewhere. “The system is completely portable for missions that require an easy-to-use solution with high reliability and accuracy, without the required logistics and safety risk of managing and transporting liquid nitrogen coolants,” said Vorwald. The entire PINS3-CF system fits into a single hardened, wheeled transport case for handling and shipping to a location. It can be operated by a single user and is designed for lowor high-temperature operations. It also can be operated remotely to allow users to position themselves and others at a safe distance from a potential threat.
PEOPLE
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Colonel Kevin S. MacWatters during a change of command ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga.
Mission-Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
Brig. Gen. Daniel P. Hughes
Brigadier General Daniel P. Hughes, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., has been assigned to program executive officer, command, control, and communications (tactical), Aberdeen Proving Ground. Colonel Scott D. King assumed command of the 194th Armored Brigade from
4 | GCT 4.3
Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo
The president has nominated Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Southern Command. Tovo currently serves as commander, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan and commander, NATO Training
Maj. Gen. Robert B. Abrams
Major General Robert B. Abrams, currently serving as commanding general, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., has been nominated to the rank of lieutenant general and assigned as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense, Washington, D.C.
Brigadier General Robert L. Walter Jr., U.S. Army Reserve, has been assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff, G-2, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C. He currently serves as deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. Colonel David W. Riggins, director, acquisition and integration division, office of the assistant secretary of the Army (financial management and comptroller), Washington, D.C., has been assigned to deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command/ senior commander, Natick Soldier Systems Center, Natick, Mass.
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Special Section AeroVironment’s Wasp AE micro air vehicle uses system components common to the company’s other UAS platforms, including the digital ground control station used for Raven B and Puma AE. [Photo courtesy of AeroVironment]
Smaller UAVs fall right in line with future missions. By Peter Buxbaum, GCT Correspondent
The age of the micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is upon us. Advances in technology have allowed for the miniaturization of air frames and sensors, making development of these ultra-small unmanned systems possible. But it’s not just advances in technologies that will cause the likely proliferation of these types of platforms. It’s also that the U.S. military anticipates a change in its mission set, now that the Iraq conflict is over and the one in Afghanistan is winding down. U.S. forces envision themselves for the next number of years involved less in hot conflicts and more in stabilization operations, Derek Lyons peacekeeping, and, although not a favored term, nation building. Comderek.lyons@prioria.com manders see micro UAVs meshing very well with these newer future missions. A case in point: Prioria Robotics was recently awarded a contract to support special operations forces for missions outside the contiguous United States using their Maveric unmanned aerial system. The Maveric, a micro UAV, is a backpackportable unmanned aircraft system Steve Gitlin designed for multi-mission use. www.GCT-kmi.com
“We received a contract to deliver 14 systems initially,” said Derek Lyons, Prioria’s vice president for sales and marketing, “and we are looking for quite a few more to be purchased after that.” Smaller UAVs are generally classified as small, mini and micro, but there is no official definition distinguishing among these categories. “Generally speaking, in the U.S., micro UAVs are those that can be hand launched are smaller than a Puma,” said Lyons. The Puma is a 13-pound unmanned aerial system built by AeroVironment that can remain aloft for two hours. “There is no scientific definition of a micro UAV,” said Steve Gitlin, vice president of AeroVironment. “The terms ‘micro’ and ‘mini’ are often used interchangeably. Oftentimes the Wasp is considered to be a micro air vehicle.” AeroVironment’s Wasp III weighs 1 pound, while the newly designed Wasp AE weighs 2.85 pounds to accommodate a larger payload. “In general, all of these systems are battery-powered, flying cameras,” said Jeffrey Golliver, Air Force Special Operations Command Unmanned Systems branch chief. “Depending on the model, they evolved from the fixed-front and side-looking day electro-optical video camera to a choice of fixed-front and side-looking video or a single look infrared camera, to a gimbaled dual EO and IR camera, capable of looking all around the aircraft. The early Pointer, [an AeroVironment UAV] was able to attain about 30-minute flight endurance, while today, the Puma is transitioning from a two-hour to a three-hour battery.” GCT 4.3 | 5
Special Section
AeroVironment’s Qube is a rugged small unmanned aircraft system that can be carried in a backpack and can be assembled and ready for flight in less than five minutes. [Photo courtesy of AeroVironment]
The Aurora Skate SUAS has independently articulating motor pods to transition between vertical and horizontal flight. [Photo courtesy of Aurora Flight Services]
In fiscal year 2013, the Air Force purchased 55 RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft systems from AeroVironment Inc. “Prior to that the Air Force contracted with AeroVironment for 221 Wasp unmanned aerial systems as the aerial component of a Battlefield Air Operations Kit,” said Golliver. “That buy was curtailed in fiscal year 2011 and residual funds were used to purchase 10 Wasp AE systems.” The Maveric, which measures 28 inches and weighs 2 pounds, is equipped with bendable, carbon fiber wings, allowing it to be stored in a 6-inch tube and deployed in less than two minutes with no assembly. “With a dash speed of 55 knots, Maveric can reach its intended target faster than any UAS in its class,” said Lyons. “Maveric is capable of fully autonomous operation from launch to landing and can be flown manually by a vehicle operator via a simple joystick.” The Maveric meets the emerging requirements of the U.S. military for smaller UAVs, according to Lyons, which include minimal required training, being upgradeable without redesigning the air frame, and being equipped with a plug-and-play modular payload. “They also want a platform that is difficult to identify as an ISR asset,” said Lyons. “It can blend into its environment.” The Maveric’s standard payload is a gimbaled electro-optical camera which can transmit 30 frames per second to the ground of 320-by-240 pixel full motion video. A gimbal is a ball that allows a camera to rotate on an axis. Higher resolution video cameras are in the works for the Maveric, as is a compression board that will allow for the collection and transmission of high definition video. While the Maveric may be new to the U.S. military, it is not new to U.S. theaters of operations. Prioria sold 60 Maverics to Canadian forces who Carl Schaefer deployed them to Afghanistan. “The U.S. military was favorably impressed cschaefer@aurora.aero by what happened with the Canadians,” said Lyons, “and that is what got us the final nod.” During the six months that the Canadian military deployed the Maveric in Afghanistan, they had 100 percent aircraft availability, according to Lyons. “That means that any time they needed a Maveric in place to complete a mission they were able to do so,” he said. “Every system they brought in country they took out and brought back home without any loss of aircraft. The Canadians documented well over 500 hours of operational flight time for each system.” The Canadian 6 | GCT 4.3
military used the aircraft for route clearance and convoy protection missions, as well as for identifying enemy combatants. AeroVironment’s Wasp UAV was recently redesigned to carry a 275gram sensor package. “We also developed an innovative way for it to land,” said Gitlin. “It flips over so that the payload is on top and it lands on the reinforced side of the vehicle.” The Wasp AE is a Block 4 version of AeroVironment’s platform. “The shape of the air frame and wing make it look like a bird,” said Gitlin. “The vehicle can land on land or in fresh or salt water and can be retrieved and sent right back out after its battery is replaced.” AeroVironment produces a line of payloads called Mantis, which include a daylight digital camera and infrared thermal imaging camera to provide uninterrupted video imagery. AeroVironment recently developed the Qube, a 5.5-pound unmanned aircraft system targeting the needs of first responders. The system fits in the trunk of a car and can be assembled and ready for flight in less than five minutes. The military equivalent of the Qube, called the Shrike, was developed under a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) and is currently begin evaluated by potential military customers. The Shrike is the same size as the Qube but delivers more advanced capabilities, according to Gitlin. The Qube was envisioned to carry out missions such as first responder situational awareness, wildlife and environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. “The Qube and Shrike can also provide a solution for border security,” said Gitlin. “Smaller systems provide the ideal solution for situational awareness at a dramatically lower cost than other alternatives.” The Qube and Shrike have a range of five kilometers and an endurance of 40 minutes. “The Shrike takes off vertically from the top of a vehicle or a rooftop and flies horizontally,” said Gitlin. “It delivers a hover and stare and a hover perch capability. It can be operated manually or programmed for autonomous operation.” Aurora Flight Services produces a 1-kilogram system called Skate, an unmanned air vehicle that was awarded first place in a 2012 contest run by the Department of Homeland Security for innovation in border security. “The Skate is an ideal platform for gathering secure, real-time intelligence and surveillance data to assist the Department of Homeland Security in accomplishing its mission of securing our borders and stemming the flow of contraband,” said Carl Schaefer, director of small UAS products at Aurora. The Skate is an electric-powered, portable system that easily fits in a small rucksack. Its modular design enables assembly and launch www.GCT-kmi.com
Special Section
The vertical takeoff and landing Samarai is being designed to be carried around in an urban environment and used for surveillance. [Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin]
The Samarai is a mono-winged micro UAV system inspired by maple seeds in nature. [Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin]
in less than two minutes. Its vertical take off and landing capabilities allow it to be launched and recovered from urban areas, confined spaces and vehicles, with no dedicated launch or recovery equipment. The system has an endurance of over one hour, is capable of over 50 knots, and can carry a variety of payloads up to 5 kilometers away. Available payloads include full-motion color video and electro-optical/infrared pods and a high-definition video payload pod. Payload pods are swappable in less than a minute, allowing the operator to tailor the Skate system to changing mission needs. The Skate system uses a digital data link to transmit both video and data up to five kilometers from the ground control station. “The Skate is meant to do close-in situational awareness assessment and overwatch,” said Schaefer. “It generally operates at between 100 and 150 feet, although it has flown to almost 14,500 feet above sea level.” The system uses one payload at a time, which can be swapped out. “We don’t use a gimbaled payload because of its weight,” he said. “A second-generation Skate, which is just coming out, is being equipped with on-board video stabilization.” The Skate also has the ability to loiter around a GPS system attached to another aircraft or being carried by a dismounted. In the military realm, the Skate was designed to be used by far-forward units. “If a unit is taking fire and doesn’t know where it is coming from, they can launch the Skate to find out,” said Schaefer. Micro UAV systems currently under development include the Samarai from Lockheed Martin Advanced Robotics Laboratory. “It is a mono-winged aircraft inspired by maple seeds in nature,” said Bill Borgia, the lab’s director of robotic systems. “It spins around to provide lift, power and control.” The vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is being designed to be carried around in an urban environment and used for surveillance. “We started in 2006 with a system 1.3 meters in size and proved the basic air frame and have scaled down since then,” said Borgia. “We now have a 20-centimeter-long system, which is being evaluated by the Marine Corps Warfighter Lab.” Lockheed Martin has experimented with various payloads in the Samarai, including video sensors and cameras as well as radio frequency payloads. “The fact that the aircraft is spinning 360 degrees can be a disadvantage when it comes to video,” said Borgia. “We process the video in such as way that reworks the image to take the blur out so that it looks like normal video. This way, the user can get a 360-degree perspective without using a gimbal.” Lockheed Martin is working with various customers to understand their requirements and their time lines to get the system to an www.GCT-kmi.com
AeroVironment’s Hummingbird nano-sized air vehicle weighs less than 10 grams and can carry a payload of up to two grams. [Photo courtesy of AeroVironment]
operational level. “We will see a tremendous number of applications for micro-sized unmanned aircraft in urban environments,” said Borgia. “Once we put this in the hands of warfighters they will no doubt discover and devise many applications for the platform.” “We can say pretty confidently that with this first requirement coming out of the special forces community, there will be a pretty rapid acquisition strategy for non-warfare types of applications that they call village stability operations [VSO],” said Lyons. “Special operators are moving to this VSO model where they want dual-use technology that can do things like check on agricultural crops to know where they need to help out. We have done a lot of work to make sure we are prepared for VSO. This contract was the first to get this type of technology into joint special operations [forces’] hands. That is what the post-war world is going to look like. The UAVs the military will be deploying have to be easy to use and look non-threatening.” Also on the horizon is the possibility of developing even smaller unmanned systems, on the nano scale. AeroVironment developed a nano-sized UAV in conjunction with a contract with DARPA. “Nanosized air vehicles were meant to mimic objects in nature capable of indoor and outdoor operations,” said Gitlin. AeroVironment’s Hummingbird had flapping wings, weighed less than 10 grams, had the ability to carry a payload of up to 2 grams, and demonstrated the ability to transmit video back to controllers. Although the project did not evolve into a program of record, Gitlin said his company learned from the innovations the project inspired and that it may be possible to revive it at some point in the future. “There has been a lot of interest,” he said, “but as is often the case it can take some time from demonstration to production.” The Air Force is currently assessing changing mission requirements and new technologies. “The desire for immediately responsive reconnaissance and surveillance won’t go away, but budgetary uncertainties and competing training requirements are forcing a hard look at the costs and benefits,” said Golliver. “The desire is for lightweight, low cost, highly capable systems, intuitive to operate and capable of networking in order to cooperate and to provide the desired information to the end-user.” O
For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.
GCT 4.3 | 7
Army, Marines set to test JLTVs. By Henry Canaday, GCT Correspondent only Marine Corps light tactiDespite severe budget prescal vehicles that have the most sures, the nation’s two ground demanding mission profiles. forces are proceeding in a mea“Carefully developed between sured way with a much needed the Army and Marine Corps, replacement in platforms for JLTV represents not only a leap land mobility. Tests are set to ahead in military automotive begin this month to choose the technology, but in collaboration replacement. in acquisition of major systems,” “Today’s light tactical vehicle Cavedo said. fleets have a gap in their payCavedo believes JLTV will load, performance and protecprovide several major advantion capabilities, largely between tages. It will yield a substanthe high mobility multipurpose tial improvement in protection wheeled vehicle [HMMWV] compared with fleets and the current mine resistant HMMWV. The ambush proJLTV should also tected [MRAP] offer a substantial family vehiimprovement in cles,” explained “protected mobilColonel John ity” compared Cavedo, project with MRAPs. manager of the JLTV repJoint Program resents a new Office for Joint generation of Light Tactical Col. John Cavedo automotive techVehicles (JLTV). nology and performance. It “The JLTV is a key Army and will be more energy efficient, Marine Corps modernization reducing energy drain and fuel priority designed to fill that gap costs. It will be more sustainby maximizing a critical balance able and maintainable, reducing of payload, performance and promaintenance labor and costs and tection to meet full-spectrum, reducing repair times. JLTV is 21st-century challenges, and also purpose-built for network represents the first networkconnections and will be able ready vehicle.” to fight in the flexible, scalable Cavedo said both the Army and adaptable formations of the and Marines are deeply aware future force. of existing fiscal constraints and Cavedo acknowledged that have appropriately scoped JLTV acquisition programs face major acquisition objectives in light of challenges, essentially revolvthese constraints. The JLTV will ing around risks in cost, schedreplace approximately one-third ule and performance. But he of Army light tactical wheeled believes “JLTV’s cost-informed vehicles by 2035, with the first trades and careful requirements unit scheduled for equipping balancing” position the program about 2018. JLTV will replace 8 | GCT 4.3
are on track for delivery of 22 for success. One major reason vehicles each this August, for a is that the JLTV program has total of 66 vehicles, to begin the focused on common, mature 14-month DT&E Phase. technologies. Milestone C and entry into As with every other program, production is anticipated for the the effects of fiscal year 2013’s third quarter of fiscal year 2015. across-the-board sequestration Low rate initial production is cuts and associated furloughs expected to start in the fourth will clearly have an impact on quarter of fiscal year 2015. The JLTV. The Army and the Marines Army’s initial operational capacontinue to explore mitigation bility should be established in the strategies to reduce the possithird quarter of fiscal year 2018. ble impact of sequestration on In March 2013, the JPO JLTV. The services are seeking to released a request for informapreserve the planned fiscal year tion, a market survey to mea2015 Milestone C decision and sure the possible interest of other production contract award. firms in competing for a JLTV JLTV is now in its 33-month contract. But the JPO said the engineering & manufacturing schedule for testing and deploydevelopment (EMD) phase. The ing JLTV remains the same and focus of EMD is 14 months of will not comment on whether developmental test & evaluation it received any responses to this (DT&E) of production-represenRFI. tative prototypes. The Defense Fiscal 2014 BudThree vendors were chosen get Submission in April proposed for this EMD phase: AM General, that spending on research, develLockheed Martin and Oshkosh opment, testing and developDefense. Each will deliver 22 test ment of the JLTV peak at slightly vehicles on August 13. Tests will under $160 million during fiscal be conducted to assess the protoyear 2013 and fiscal year 2014. types’ automotive performance, Three very ballistic and blast experienced protection and firms are ready reliability, availand eager for the ability and maintest phase. tainability. Tests Lockheed will occur at AberMartin (LMCO) deen and Yuma said its JLTV proProving Grounds, posal balances at the Army’s the iron triangle Tank Automoof protection, tive Research, John Bryant performance and Development and payload while Engineering Cenmaintaining affordability. Comter (TARDEC) and at other govpared to vehicles now in service, ernment and non-government the LMCO JLTV provides greatly sites. Both program and vendors www.GCT-kmi.com
improved crew protection and mobility, lower life cycle costs, superior fuel efficiency and state-of-art connectivity with other platforms and systems, summarized Kathryn Hasse, Lockheed Martin JLTV program director. The big JLTV challenge is providing MRAP levels of blast protection in much smaller, lighter vehicles while preserving mobility, improving fuel efficiency and reliability and keeping costs down. LMCO said its vehicle performed spectacularly in the Marines’ Severe OffRoad Track course at Quantico. “None of the course’s obstacles posed a problem—we operated at high speeds, we refueled very infrequently and had no significant maintenance issues,” Hasse said. As distinctive advantages of its proposal, LMCO cites
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protection against IEDs similar to that of small MRAPs that weigh twice as much as the LMCO JLTV. The solution also emphasizes performance over punishing terrain. The LMCO JLTV is equipped with Meritor’s ProTec high-mobility independent suspension and an air-ride system that delivers outstanding performance offroad, even at high speeds, and reduces crew fatigue. LMCO uses a Cummins turbo-diesel engine mated to an Allison transmission, proven systems that can produce abundant power and torque with high fuel economy. The vehicle power system enables generation scalable up to 75kW. LMCO’s 22 test vehicles had been built by the end of June at a BAE Systems production line that has produced more than 75,000 military vehicles.
Meritor Defense expert Dave Damian said his firm is providing the complete suspension, the ProTec High Mobility Independent Suspension Series 30, and drive-train system, including transfer case and drivelines, for LMCO’s JLTV. “We have been working with Lockheed Martin since 2006 and went into the EMD phase in the JLTV program with the same content we have been working on for years, a testament to its maturity,” Damian said. Since weight is critical on the JLTV, Meritor has worked for eight years to modify its design with lightweight materials. And the Series 30 ProTec suspension is already used by British forces in Afghanistan. This suspension “provides ride comfort and lessens fatigue for the warfighters due to the smoothness it delivers while going over bumps,” Damian
said. “Smooth ride makes a big difference when there are multiple soldiers in the vehicle and they aren’t getting tossed around.” The ProTec 30 suspension is also being considered for the HMMWV sustainment program, as the Marines and Army look to update their HMMWV fleet. “Since the HMMWV was first introduced, the threats that troops in the field face have greatly increased,” summarized John Bryant, senior vice president of Defense Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Those threats are only going to continue to grow and evolve.” Bryant said the HMMWV is weighed down with add-on armor and other protection, severely degrading its off-road performance. And the HMMWV still does not provide underbody protection required outside the wire.
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Oshkosh has completed a MRAPs provide better successful design understanding protection, and Bryant sees review meeting with the governOshkosh’s MRAP All-Terrain ment and demonstrated its soluVehicle (M-ATV) as the current tion at an event hosted by the benchmark for off-road proJLTV JPO. “The Oshkosh JLTV tected mobility, “but the warprototype performed without fighter needs protected mobilfail, despite challenges that the ity in a lighter, more transmilitary’s severe off-road track portable package.” He said the presented.” JLTV will give troops a nextBy late June, Oshkosh had generation tactical vehicle with completed production of its 22 greater protection and off-road JLTV prototypes for the EMD mobility in a lightweight platphase and is on schedule for form. delivery in August. Bryant An innovative design expects the JLTV production approach is required to offer contract to be awarded in 2015. MRAP levels of protection in The company’s solution is a vehicle one-third lighter the Oshkosh Light Combat Tacthan the M-ATV. Oshkosh used tical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV). a multi-generational design “The L-ATV meets or exceeds approach, spanning six vehicle current JLTV requirements, generations, over a period of and it’s ready for production several years. today,” Bryant Survivabilsaid. Oshkosh ity counts in used its extensive the placement in-theater MRAP of every comexperience and ponent. “Oshthe latest automokosh engineers tive technologies examined how to design a JLTV components “offering unprecewould behave in dented protection, a threat event, mobility, transand they made portability and life adjustments as Chris Vanslager cycle value.” needed,” Bryant L-ATV uses a multi-facsaid. eted crew protection system Off-road mobility is designed to disperse improachieved with Oshkosh’s TAKvised explosive device (IED) 4i intelligent independent blasts and protect soldiers. The suspension system, “a true difL-ATV’s armored capsule is scalference maker if you’ve ever able and can accept multiple driven in a HMMWV,” Bryant armor configurations. Oshkosh said. “It gives troops greater engineers optimized it for prospeeds and improved perfortection, weight and mobility. mance when traveling off-road, Bryant said that, as threats and it will provide a smoother continue to increase, mobility ride so they and their gear will be crucial. Greater off-road arrive in mission-ready condiperformance allows troops to tion.” take alternative routes to avoid Recognizing the JLTV’s threats. fiscal climate, Bryant cites Oshkosh’s TAK-4i intelliOshkosh’s cost savings on the gent independent suspension Army’s Family of Medium Tacyields 20 inches of independent tical Vehicles program and its wheel travel, 25 percent more work for the Defense Logistics than other military vehicles. Agency. Oshkosh engineers TAK-4i can also shift power applied cost as a technical to wheels in contact with the parameter in design of the JLTV. 10 | GCT 4.3
owns the engine, so it controls ground, giving full control and engine configuration and can maneuverability on dangerous make changes at the governterrain. A digitally controlled ment’s request quickly, without Duramax engine gives the dealing with a subcontractor. L-ATV exceptional power-to“We think BRV-O’s protection weight and torque so it can and suspension are discriminavigate steep inclines and deep nators also,” Vanslager said. sand. “Protection, performance and Further, L-ATV can grow payload, along with tremendous to meet new challenges. For innovation at an example, a Proaffordable price, Pulse dieselis what BRV-O electric hybrid offers the warfp o w e r- t r a i n ighter.” option could Apart from deliver improved BRV-O itself, AM fuel economy, General puts up to 70kW of strong emphaexportable power sis on its more and lower life than 50 years of cycle costs. “We Kathryn Hasse experience and developed, tested lessons learned and matured this from making light tactical vehicapability with an eye toward cles. It has produced over 1.5 the future, but it is ready today,” million such vehicles since the Bryant said. 1940s and more than 300,000 AM General’s proposed HMMWVs in the last 30 years. JLTV, the Blast Resistant Vehi“We took all that knowledge and cle-Off Road (BRV-O) has just innovation and applied it to the participated in demonstrations problem of the JLTV: improved at Marine Corps Base Quansurvivability, mobility, fuel effitico, Va. Vice President of Busiciency,” Vanslager said. ness Development and Program All 22 test BRV-Os have Management Chris Vanslager been built at the same producsaid AM General is on track tion facility that is producing to deliver 22 vehicles for testHMMWVs, so no new facilities ing in mid-August and to supneed be built nor workers hired port the government with and trained. That reduces risk initial training, spare parts and on the BRV-O, another distechnical assistance during 14 criminator, in Vanslager’s view. months of government testing. And AM General has a global “We have gone through design support network in place to review, program review and the provide training and integrated typical development activities logistics for more than 100,000 and ensured the integration of HMMWVs operated in 53 coungovernment-furnished equiptries. ment,” Vanslager said. AM General itself has been BRV-O meets all JLTV restructured as a firm, both requirements in a very efficient, financially and operationally, to affordable and reliable way, offer the government best value according to the AM General in the new budget environment. exec. In addition, it has a flexIts supply chain is active and ible and modular architecture ready to go, Vanslager said. O that will enable it to change economically as threats change. For more information, contact BRV-O’s power train should GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at increase fuel efficiency about jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or 20 percent, compared to the search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com. HMMWV. And AM General www.GCT-kmi.com
Forward thinkers not only solve the questions that are asked but provide gateways to innovation. Compiled by KMI Staff
The Department of Defense has never been shy about asking industry to provide solutions far beyond the current scope of capabilities. Mark Twain was fond of saying that your reach should also exceed your grasp, and that is very true when trying to innovate. If you only want a solution that exists today, there is no incentive to take an idea from a thought on paper to full-scale development. Several DoD projects recently announced are great examples of knowing what is currently available, while knowing more is possible and asking industry to find the limits of what they can achieve tomorrow.
Large Single-Piece Underbody Castings for Increased Protection The Army is interested in the production of large single-piece underbody structures for combat vehicles. The structure must possess an outstanding combination of strength and toughness for it to survive battlefield threats. In general, single-piece structures are produced by casting and followed by subsequent secondary processing to achieve the desired mechanical properties in the structure. Casting efforts in the past have demonstrated remarkable strength and toughness resulting from the two-stage process. www.GCT-kmi.com
Unfortunately these mechanical properties are achievable only in relatively small cast structures. Suitable scalable secondary processing techniques are not currently available, which could be applied to large single-piece cast structures to achieve the aforementioned mechanical properties. The challenge is to establish scalable secondary processes for very large single-piece structure to achieve the required combination of strength and toughness. An additional challenge is to achieve uniformity of the properties throughout the entire large single-piece structure including through thicknesses. The U.S. Army is seeking proposals to develop and prototype highly scalable processes to fabricate large single-piece underbody structures with a combination of high strength and high toughness throughout the entire structure and thickness. The process must be scalable and be able to integrate relatively smoothly to very large scale fabrication or production under the standard manufacturing practices without needing nonconventional manufacturing equipment or processes beyond what are currently used. Some of the characteristics the Army is looking for should address novel processing techniques, such as innovative casting, robust post-cast processing, or other equally innovative and robust processes, that can be easily integrated with the existing
manufacturing bases to enable smooth transition to large scale processing of large single-piece structure.
Better Hubs for the MTVR The medium tactical vehicle replacement (MTVR) program is the current medium tactical cargo vehicle for the Marine Corps. Efforts are being made to identify areas that could benefit from a reduction in weight to enable extra cargo carrying capacity as well as improve vehicle handling capability. A reduction in vehicle weight directly equates to an equal increase in the vehicle load capacity. Currently used wheel hubs are made of mild- to medium-strength steel and the entire assembly (tire and hub) can weigh on the order of 550 pounds each. One area of potentially significant weight reduction in existing vehicles is in the wheel hubs. Reducing the weight of the wheel hubs by making them out of a lighter-weight advanced material will directly benefit the handling capability of the vehicle by significantly reducing the un-sprung weight of the vehicle. The reduced wheel weight would also translate into better vehicle handling by providing improved wheel acceleration. The weight reduction would also improve the vehicle fuel efficiency (when the vehicle is not filled to maximum cargo capacity). A GCT  4.3 | 11
35 percent reduction in hub weight may be able to achieve a 3 percent increase in fuel efficiency. Current technology uses composite technologies which have been applied to wheels for bicycles, motorcycles and race cars. These wheels are primarily meant for relatively light vehicles used on paved surfaces for non-highimpact loads. By contrast, a wheel hub for an MTVR will need to be capable of supporting up to 10,000 pounds static vehicle load and operating in a more aggressive operating environment. A project is underway to explore innovative, alternative, advanced material systems to replace mild- to medium-strength steel used in the wheel hubs for the MTVR. The use of composite material systems are encouraged, but approaches are not limited to these types of advanced material systems. Concepts that can provide a weight savings of up to 35 percent over the currently used steel hub assembly are of particular interest. Using tailorable material solutions so that the hubs could potentially be “tuned” to work with a specific vehicle suspension is also of great interest. The MTVR is expected to operate in a variety of environments and terrains. The hubs need to be able to operate in the temperature range of 125 degrees F to -50 degrees F. In addition, to maintain the current central tire inflation system, the hubs are expected to have a mean miles between mission hardware failure metric of no less than 2,700 miles.
More Effective Engine Control for the MTVR Since the initial inception and fielding of the MTVR, the expected mission of the truck has evolved. Vehicle modifications have included the addition of a larger alternator to support a greater array of onboard electronics and increased equipment loads, as well as increased vehicle weight due to up-armoring. These modifications have required the truck engine to operate at two different load levels. First, the engine must operate at high power, calling on over 400 BHP to climb slopes, accelerate under full payload, or traverse soft soils. Second, the engine must operate for long periods of time at a low capacity while the vehicle is parked to support generation of electricity and HVAC functions in the cab drawing 10-20 BHP. The MTVR currently uses a Caterpillar C-12 electronic control, Adam III Diesel engine. The C-12 Diesel engine is an 12 | GCT 4.3
inline six-cylinder turbo-charged diesel truck engine with 729 cubic inches of displacement. The C-12 Diesel engine operates over a range of 1,200 to 2,100 RPM and provides a maximum of 425 BHP at 1,600 RPM and provides a maximum of 1,550 LB-FT of torque at 1,200 RPM. Control over the diesel combustion cycle is currently limited by the mechanical linkage between engine rotation, valve actuation and fuel injection. Current state of the art controls only allow the engine to be optimized for maximum fuel efficiency at a single operational point (torque versus engine speed). Optimization of a single operation point does not meet the need of current MTVR operational practices. Concepts that remove the mechanical linkage could allow greater control over the combustion cycle and are of particular interest. Increased combustion cycle control could allow adaptation of control strategies that respond to engine load demands. This adaptation will result in multiple optimized fuel efficiency operational points for the engine. These multiple operating points may be achieved through cylinder shut down, fuel injection profile shaping or other means made possible by higher levels of combustion cycle control. The MTVR program is interested in innovative approaches to provide maximum engine control adaptability of the C-12 or similar engines to the loads required during various engine operating conditions. The goal is to reduce the volume of fuel consumed by the MTVR engine during mission operations by 15-25 percent over current fuel consumption while increasing the power output of the engine by 5-10 percent over current engine rated capability. The Marine Corps is encouraging companies to explore both hardware and control software modifications. All modifications must be compatible, mechanically and electronically, with existing MTVR drive systems components and not compromise the MTVR’s current environmental operation requirements. All vehicles and their components will be capable of operating in the temperature range of 125 degrees F to -25 degrees F without the use of Arctic kits or additional operator procedures, and to -50 degrees F with the use of Arctic kits. At ambient temperatures of -25 degrees F and above, the engine must be capable of starting, reaching and maintaining normal coolant temperature range, and attaining smooth operation at idle speed within 30 minutes with the operator inside the cab, without
external devices and with the transmission in neutral. Storage of the vehicles at 150 degrees F is possible and can not cause damage to the system. The Marine Corps is seeking a company that will develop concepts to enable maximum adaptability of the current C-12 or similar engines to be able to efficiently adapt to varying load requirements as dictated during the performance of its mission.
On-board Weight and Center of Gravity Measurement System for Tactical Vehicles Tactical wheeled vehicles routinely carry payloads of varied configurations to support the operating forces’ diverse missions. To ensure safety while maximizing payload capacity, it is imperative that the system weight and center of gravity (W&CG) be accurately and conveniently determined. During transport, appropriate W&CG need to be maintained to avoid overloading a vehicle’s axles or lift and tie-down restraints. Similarly, W&CG data is necessary to preserve a vehicle’s dynamic stability during operation. As an example, the vehicle’s W&CG, particularly vertical and lateral CG, need to stay below a certain limit to prevent rollover or braking failure. Additionally, for a vehicle equipped with a stability control or warning system, accurate W&CG data are required for the system to function effectively. Current methods to determine W&CG for tactical vehicles involve the use of truck scales, weight table and suspension methods for CG. However, these are not fieldexpedient and are often inconvenient if not inaccurate or incomplete. Truck scales, for instance, are not readily available to the operating forces except at selected ports or maintenance facilities. The scales alone also do not provide vertical and lateral CG. Computing a system’s W&CG using literature is limited by the availability of highly specific data on a respective system’s CG as well as the relative positions of payloads. The latter may need to be measured on-site. Suspension or other similar methods to determine CG typically have to be carried out by skilled technicians in a properly instrumented facility, such as Aberdeen Test Center. These currently available methods limit the availability of reliable W&CG data, which greatly affects the driver’s ability to safely optimize payloads. www.GCT-kmi.com
Technologies exist that could effectively automate the collection of some W&CG data. Commercially available systems such as onboard truck scales offer to provide ondemand weight information using a network of pressure or strain sensors attached to a vehicle’s suspension system. More advanced systems, such as those proposed for onboard aircraft weight and balance apparatus could, in addition to weight, compute longitudinal and lateral CG using additional load and incline sensors along with a suitable computer algorithm. For vertical CG, which remains challenging to measure, there are potential approaches that involve using dynamic input, such as system axial accelerations, and analyzing system modal frequencies. These advances present opportunities to develop a novel and effective W&CG measurement system; however, considerable technical challenges remain. Most notably, on-board CG measurement technology, particularly for vertical CG, is still in the early stage of development and primarily intended for aircraft use. The Marine Corps has announced its interest in innovative approaches toward the development of an on-board system to measure weight and longitudinal, lateral, and vertical CG of tactical vehicles. The measured W&CG should be within 3 percent of the vehicle actual W&CG. Additionally, the research and development should address system robustness against military vehicles environmental and operational conditions. Using an MTVR as the baseline vehicle, Phase I of the project will develop concepts for an on-board W&CG measuring system for tactical vehicles and demonstrate analytically and/or experimentally that the system can automatically measure and report the vehicle’s weight and center of gravity in real or near real time.
Hybrid Off-Road Motorcycle The goal of this project is to develop the required technologies and demonstrate a lightweight two-wheel-drive (2WD) hybridelectric off-road motorcycle for combat troop use powered by heavy fuels, capable of short periods electric-only propulsion, and usable as a portable electric power source for soldiers in the field. This project is eligible for the DARPA Direct to Phase II Pilot Program, meaning that if the solution demonstrates the required level of scientific and technical www.GCT-kmi.com
merit, it can forego Phase I and move directly to Phase II work. The hybrid off-road motorcycle project is based on four principal motivating factors: mobility for deployed forces is enhanced by reducing the logistical support requirements for volatile fuels and utilization of readily available heavy fuels for vehicles and electrical power generation and by reducing the need to carry batteries for electric/electronic equipment; mobility through harsh unimproved terrain is difficult due to soft soils, and narrow and steep trails. A lightweight approach to effective two-wheel drive in motorcycles is highly desirable. A rapid and stealthy approach toward enemy combatants enhances the element of surprise, but the vehicles used for rapid mobility are generally compromised by vehicular noise. Finally, the project requires improved vehicular fuel efficiency. Technologies relevant to this effort are being pursued for a variety of mobility applications. Higher power density diesel engines are being developed for aviation, although these tend to be of a larger capacity than desired for motorcycles. While smaller than aviation diesels, auto diesels are typically twice the weight of their equivalent gasolinefueled counterparts. The military had purchased the Hayes M1030M1 diesel-powered motorcycle, but that vehicle is no longer in production. The Dutch EVA Trac T800 is the only heavy-fuel motorcycle currently on the market and it is designed around a purposebuilt diesel engine. Heavy fuel fed reformers and fuel cells have been used for stationary power applications. They are starting to see limited market penetration in larger mobility applications. The DARPA Vulture program is pursuing fuel cells with an energy density suitable for aircraft applications. Turbines have been used for their heavy fuel capability by a variety of platforms, ranging from tanks to missiles. Unfortunately, they often suffer from comparatively high fuel consumption and noise suppression challenges. Hybrid-electric power has penetrated a wide variety of mobility markets ranging from construction equipment and busses to personal automobiles. Following over 15 years of exploratory work by universities, small start-ups, and major motorcycle companies, hybrid motorcycles are on the verge of reaching the marketplace. A variety of hybrid concepts have appeared at shows including Yamaha’s Gen-Ryu and HV-X, and the Schneider-OCC hybrid electric chopper. The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid 300ie three-wheeled
scooter reached the market in 2010. These examples, those that have tried and failed, as well as those that are currently under development have been for on-road applications, which can more easily tolerate greater weights. They have also relied on gasoline generator pairs or, in a few instances, hydrogen fuel-cells. All-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive motorcycles have been experimented with for nearly a century and have experienced limited commercial success. The long-term American product is the small Rokon Ranger with a mechanically driven front wheel. Newer to the market is Christini Corp’s AWD 450. Other current developments include the hydraulically driven Yamaha WR450F 2-Trac, and KTM’s recent patent for an electric front wheel drive. While the various pieces of interest exist in isolation, nobody has successfully combined heavy fuel capability, 2WD, and hybrid powertrains into a useful off-road motorcycle. This is a very challenging component and system design problem. This project proposes to address the challenge through the innovative application of technology to develop a motorcycle capable of improving support for soldiers operating in remote and harsh environments. Desired characteristics of the vehicle include: • Silent electric only mode and low noise (<75 dB) during normal operation • Production of supplemental power, e.g., for battery charging • Two-wheel drive in support of extreme terrain operations • Heavy fuel compatibility • 10 percent improvement in load-specific fuel consumption as compared to existing fielded motorcycles The military could be expected to use this vehicle to replace motorcycles such as the M1030M1 currently in service. Marine and special forces users will be particularly interested in enhanced mobility and silent running capabilities. Production versions of the resultant hybrid motorcycle would be expected to be purchased by Army and Marine units. O
For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.
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INNOVATIONS
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Continued Lightweight Small Arms Technologies Development AAI DoD, through the ordnance technology consortium, has awarded a $2.05 million contract to AAI’s Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) team. The contract enables the LSAT team, part of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, to further innovate both its caseless and casedtelescoped lightweight ammunition and weapon technologies. This ordnance technology initiative includes three major thrusts. It continues to refine the LSAT 5.56 mm cased telescoped ammunition and light machine gun in support of an Army live fire experiment; advances development, testing and characterization of prototype 5.56 mm caseless ammunition; and extends cased-telescoped ammunition technologies to a 7.62 mm cartridge. The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research, in Arlington, Va., and the Joint Service Small Arms Program Office, located at the U.S. Army Armament Research,
Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey are jointly participating in this initiative. The updated LSAT 5.56 mm system will be assessed during the Army’s Dismounted Non-Networked Experiment, taking place this month at the maneuver battle lab at Fort Benning, Ga. The caseless ammunition effort will focus on improving propellant and ignition formulations in a 5.56 mm configuration. The 7.62 mm cased-telescoped cartridge will incorporate mature lightweight ammunition technologies successfully demonstrated in the 5.56 mm LSAT cartridge. Contract work will be conducted over a one-year period by the AAI-led team, which also consists of Alliant Techsystems, Veritay Technology and St. Marks Powder, a General Dynamics company. “We’re pleased to be continuing our developmental work on lightweight ammunition and weapon technologies,” said
AAI Program Manager Paul Shipley. “The LSAT program team has made significant advances, and this is the next step toward delivering a scalable, affordable family of lightweight weapons and ammunition.” The LSAT team previously developed and demonstrated a prototype weapon and ammunition that provides up to a 50 percent reduction (20 pounds) in weight compared to the current M249 machine gun and M855 brass cased ammunition carried by infantrymen. Its cased telescoped light machine gun (LMG) prototype has been demonstrated at technology readiness level 7. The weapon design maintains the lethality and reliability of the existing weapon while offering improved ergonomics. A compact LSAT LMG variant, developed for close quarters applications and tested in 2012 by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, features a quick-change 12-inch barrel and a folding buttstock.
Crew Protection and Vehicle Survivability Enhancements Textron Marine & Land Systems • • • •
Production-ready technology readiness level 8 system Follow-on potential for work on up to 5,750 vehicles Compatible with all versions of HMMWVs currently in service Provides MRAP-style protection by incorporating angles and a v-shaped blast deflection under-body plate
Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS), an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, has been awarded a $3.29 million firmfixed price contract from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command for work on the modernized expanded capacity vehicle survivability (MECV-S) system. TM&LS is teaming with Granite Tactical Vehicles to deliver innovative crew protection and vehicle survivability enhancements for the Army’s HMMWV vehicles. The Army is seeking technical solutions to address current and future threats to its HMMWV tactical vehicle fleet through the use of scalable armor technologies. The TM&LS/Granite team will install its MECV-S protection system on two governmentfurnished HMMWVs and deliver them this summer to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for IED testing. Computer aided design models also will be submitted for analysis. “Our TM&LS/Granite MECV-S solution would replace the current HMMWV crew compartment in a one-for-one exchange. It offers vehicle occupants an armored monocoque V-hull protective capsule and restores the vehicle’s tactical mobility with 14 | GCT 4.3
proven components,” explained TM&LS Senior Vice President and General Manager Tom Walmsley. The lightweight TM&LS/Granite vehicle protection system possesses a lower center of gravity than an up-armored HMMWV and is resistant to small arms fire, blasts and the secondary effects of blasts such as fire, crushing, rollover and collision. A system that is easily supported and maintained, the Textron/Granite solution also retains all of the original HMMWV cab’s characteristics by utilizing existing controls, linkages and drive system.
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INNOVATIONS
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Sensor System Completes Early Testing Raytheon Company The U.S. Army has completed early user testing (EUT) of the Raytheon Companydeveloped joint land attack cruise missile defense elevated netted sensor (JLENS) system. Over a six-week period, soldiers tested JLENS’ ability to operate in several scenarios similar to an operational environment. JLENS also completed an endurance test by operating continually for 20 days. “Completing EUT proved both the maturity of JLENS and that our soldiers are ready to employ this system wherever and whenever their nation needs them,” said Dean Barten, the U.S. Army’s JLENS product manager. “With EUT under our belts, we are well on our way to deploying the system to Aberdeen Proving Ground for an operational evaluation, and ultimately, putting JLENS in the hands of the warfighter.” An elevated over-the-horizon sensor system, JLENS uses an integrated radar system to detect, track and target threats. According to Raytheon, this capability better enables commanders to defend against threats, including hostile cruise missiles; low-flying manned and unmanned aircraft; and moving surface vehicles such as boats, mobile missile launchers, automobiles, trucks and tanks. JLENS also provides ascent phase detection of tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets. “Completing EUT is the latest in a string of JLENS achievements that include detecting a ballistic-missile surrogate and enabling the intercept of cruise missile targets with the Patriot and Standard Missile 6,” said Dave Gulla, vice president of Global Integrated Sensors for Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business. “JLENS is essential to the national security because it provides a proven capability against threats that no other system in the world offers.”
Lightweight Ground-surveillance Radar Thales Communications Inc. • High-fidelity, 360 degree all-weather, day/night surveillance • Ground moving target indication (GMTI) & synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modes • Compact, single line replacement unit—interchangeable with electro optic/ infrared turret sensors • Designed for rotary, fixed-wing, manned and unmanned platforms Thales’ lightweight combined synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indicator I-Master weighs 30 kilograms and balances of capability, cost, weight and power consumption for use onboard a wide range of unmanned air vehicles (UAV), helicopters, small fixed wing aircraft and tilt rotor platforms. High-performance imaging radars are now essential in any program that requires an all weather intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability. To date, high-quality SAR/GMTI radars have been too heavy and costly for tactical UAVs or small manned aircraft. The low weight of I-Master means that a combined SAR/GMTI capability can be www.GCT-kmi.com
added to tactical UAVs either in addition to or instead of electro-optic (E/O) sensors. I-Master is also designed to fit existing E/O payload mountings. On smaller air vehicles, which are able to carry just one payload, this feature enables the sensor to be exchanged within a few minutes. This capability will allow the platform’s role to be quickly adapted as the mission tempo and the environment changes. For larger air vehicles, able to carry more than one payload, collaborative targeting using both SAR/GMTI and EO packages greatly increases the options available to the field commander. I-Master provides an all-weather capability, which increases tactical UAV mission effectiveness. High quality imaging is now possible in hostile environments such as cloud and smoke. The ability to image at long stand-off ranges improves UAV survivability by distancing the air vehicle from potential ground fire. I-Master incorporates a high performance GMTI able to detect both vehicle and infantry movements at ranges up to 20 kilometers. Very low speed targets can be detected through the use of multi-channel processing.
Embedded Radios Offer Wireless Solution in COTS Package Ritron Inc. • Dual transmit and receive audio paths available • Data streaming and packet modes can be supported Specialized wireless transceivers and radio modems from Carmel, Ind.-based Ritron provide original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and integrators with wireless connectivity and commercial off-the-shelf convenience in a compact, cost-effective package. Available in various configurations—including RF transceivers and radio modems—they permit integration into systems demanding utmost performance in congested-frequency environments. A small footprint minimizes space requirements, while all components are placed on the top side of a single printed circuit board for mechanical rigidity and increased protection against damage. Narrow band (12.5 kHz) and very narrow band (6.25 kHz) models are available. Ritron embedded radios support voice and data applications for military/ aerospace, commercial and industrial applications. Direct modulation with low distortion and low group delay results in a low bit-error-rate for enhanced system integrity and reliability. The swift lock synthesizer-loading algorithm reduces unit turn-on-time to less than 10ms or high-speed data throughput, and controlled envelope keying reduces adjacent channel “keyclicks,” resulting in spectrum-friendly operation. All models meet the 2013 FCC narrowband mandate. The radio product can be tailored to suit specific customer application requirements, providing a specialized wireless solution for OEMs and integrators.
GCT 4.3 | 15
Munitions Mover
Q& A
Battlefield Drawdowns Don’t Stop Ammo Development
Brigadier General John J. McGuiness Program Executive Officer PEO Ammunition
Brigadier General John J. McGuiness became Program Executive Officer Ammunition and Senior Commander Picatinny Arsenal on October 17, 2012, leading the mission to develop and procure conventional and leap-ahead munitions to increase warfighters’ combat power. Previously, McGuiness served as deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, and senior commander Natick Soldier Systems Center, Natick, Mass., from May 2011 to September 2012. The general previously served as the deputy commanding general for Regional Support, NATO Training Mission/Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. In this assignment, McGuiness commanded six regional support commands comprised of soldiers from over 30 nations. His command supported the daily training of a total combined force of over 230,000 personnel during combat operations. McGuiness was commissioned in the infantry upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, in 1983. Initial assignments include rifle platoon leader (PL), improved tubelaunched, optically-tracked, wire command-link-guided vehicle PL, and company executive officer in 1-12 Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. He later served in the 1st Armored Division, Erlangen, Germany, commanding Alpha Company and then Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-6 Infantry. Acquisition assignments include infantry systems officer, U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center; assistant product manager, Mortar System; and product manager, M2/M3 Bradley fighting vhicle system and M113 armored personnel carrier systems. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, McGuiness served as the deputy director, assistant secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) [ASA(ALT)] operations South West Asia, which included deploying with the 4th Infantry Division in 2003. McGuiness was the project manager, Soldier Equipment, earning the 2009 Secretary of the Army’s award as project manager of the year. His acquisition staff assignments were in the Office of the ASA(ALT), Pentagon, initially as the Department of the Army systems coordinator for Bradley systems and then as a systems integration officer. McGuiness was selected to serve as a research 16 | GCT 4.3
fellow at the Defense Acquisition University for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Later ASA(ALT) assignments include executive officer and military assistant for the ASA(ALT) and assistant deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Army Command and General Staff College, and Army War College. He holds master’s degrees in operations research, Air Force Institute of Technology, and strategic studies, Army War College. He is a graduate of the program of management development, Harvard Business School. His decorations and badges include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and Army Staff Identification Badge. Q: As of this interview, we are in the middle of furloughs. How is reduced manning affecting PEO Ammunition? A: At PEO Ammo, we recognize the hardship this furlough is placing on employees, so we have tried to mitigate the effects by being as flexible as possible. We allow employees to take either www.GCT-kmi.com
Monday or Friday as their furlough day and empower the first line supervisors to be flexible in approving changes to the tour of duty, selection of furlough days, and granting of credit hours if requested by the employee. There is no doubt that the furlough has been difficult on our employees and our mission. This is always the busiest time of year for awarding contracts and obligating funds, and the furlough has come at a time where overtime has been prohibited, with very limited exceptions, and the summer vacation schedule is in full swing. Across the ammunition enterprise, we have put a lot of effort into prioritizing our work, but we simply can’t do everything we have planned to do. So what we’re seeing is less integrated process team interaction because people spend less time in the office. The time to staff actions has gone up significantly and we have less time to interface with industry, which in this austere budgetary environment places added challenges on the ammunition industrial base. One of the areas that has been hit particularly hard is the test arena. At proving grounds a great deal of time and effort goes into set-up and data collection, so it is not uncommon to work 12- to 14-hour days to get the job done. Now we have to set up, come back the next day and check the set-up from the day before prior to starting testing. We ultimately get less test time before having to call it a day. It can take us four to five days to accomplish what we would typically do in two to three days. Q: What did you take away from your previous assignment supporting daily training of the Afghan National Security Forces that guides you now in procuring munitions for our ground forces overseas? A: In my previous assignment as the NATO Training Mission– Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan Deputy Commander for Regional Support we had soldiers, police, and civilians from over 30 nations working within the regional support commands to support the daily training of the Afghan National Army and police. On any given day we had about 34,000 Afghan national security forces training at over 70 training sites. The most important point I took away is that our warfighters depend on us to deliver every single product to the highest quality and enough of it so when they need it, it is there. Our PEO is responsible for over 300 products, anything from small, medium to large caliber ammunition, towed artillery systems, mortars and counter-IED products. Soldiers’ lives depend on us delivering products that work the first time, every time. Another takeaway from that deployment is that everyone is a contributor and no one has a monopoly on good ideas. For example, it did not matter if there was a relatively small or large contingent from a given country; everyone is part of the team. It is the same way with the ammo enterprise. It is not only the PEO, but our Army Materiel Command teammates from both the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center and Joint Munitions Command, and also our partners at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Centers of Excellence and our industry partners. The third takeaway is the power of “jointness.” I do not think I had as much of an appreciation for “jointness” as I perhaps should have prior to my deployment. On the NTM-A staff and in the www.GCT-kmi.com
regional support commands, we had men and women from all services. Our PEO has been designated as the Department of Defense Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition. We not only procure ammunition for the Army, but for all of the services. We have Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps officers on our staff to include a colonel: Air Force Colonel Victor Rodriguez. Victor is the project director for joint products. Victor and his team are responsible for procuring Air Force and Navy bombs and Navy deck ammo. Therefore, my three main takeaways are what our warfighters need, the emphasis of collaboration, and the importance of jointness. Q: Nearly a year into the office, how are your top priorities progressing? A: At PEO Ammo, we strive to be a world-class organization delivering the most capable and affordable ammunition, weapons and counter-IED products to the joint warfighter as efficiently as possible. Our priorities are first and foremost to support the joint warfighter; second, grow people and teams; third, deliver improved capabilities; and fourth, efficient and effective operations. Our top priority, support the warfighter, has transformed into three areas. The first area is support to our forces. We continue to support the warfighter by fielding GPS-guided munitions, such as the precision guidance kits and Excalibur, and counter-IED devices such as the Husky mounted detection system. We have shown agility in delivering over 70 operational need statements and joint operational needs statements to field everything from force protection equipment [entry control point kits] to counterIED/mine equipment [Husky mine detection system and handheld metal/mine detectors]. Also urgently fielded were accelerated precision mortar initiative [APMI] and 155 mm IR projectiles. The second area is support to the Afghan national security forces. We have accomplished this through the procurement and management of non-standard/foreign ammunition items, delivering 60 mm mortars and D-30 howitzers. Our third area is reducing our footprint in theater. We are accomplishing this by deliberately reducing our field support representatives and support equipment to properly support our troop drawdown. Our second priority, grow people and teams, we are accomplishing by our unprecedented numbers of Lean Six Sigma green and black belts. For example, the Department of the Army and Office of Business Transformation goal is to have 5 percent of each PEO’s population certified green belt [GB] and 1 percent certified black belt [BB]. PEO Ammunition currently exceeds that goal with 25 percent of its core personnel certified GB and 4 percent certified BB. A second way is to ensure everyone achieves their mandated Acquisition Certifications, of which all 281 core employees of the PEO are certified and all are up to date for their required continuous learning points. We are supporting our third priority, delivering improved capabilities, not only from the capabilities I mentioned supporting the warfighter with immediate responses, but also through the deliberate acquisition life cycle management system. For example, over the past few months we have achieved a Milestone C/Type Classification Standard of the M119A3 105 mm Howitzer Digitization Program, precision guidance kit, M1123/1124 infrared and visible illum rounds, and the M1061 60 mm mortar antipersonnel/anti-material cartridge. GCT 4.3 | 17
The fourth priority, efficient and effective operations, can best be summed up by our Better Buying Power initiatives initiated in November 2011, which so far have garnered over $6 billion in cost savings and cost avoidance spread over 95 initiatives. Q: How are your priorities shifting in delivering counter-IED products as missions pivot away from Afghanistan? A: A reduced presence in Afghanistan does not mean a reduced emphasis on the development of counter explosive hazard [CEH] technologies. Rogue nations, non-state actors, terrorists and insurgents will continue to employ similar tactics as opposed to directly engaging our forces with a conventional approach. If anything, the priority for CEH capabilities will increase as hybrid threats to the nation and our allies continue to proliferate. Many IEDs are inexpensive and easy to produce. Some IEDs are very sophisticated and supported by insurgent allies or directly employed by others with very modern technology. Hybrid threats, as well as conventional threats like mines and munitions, remain persistent. As a result, increased detection, marking and neutralization is a critical force protection requirement, especially at increased standoff distance to increase the survivability of our joint forces and protecting civilians in varying scenarios. Currently, our detection capabilities are for close proximity, so there is a need to invest in R&D to address stand-off distance detection. Once we detect, we must mark and neutralize the devices. The intent is to continue system development in a structured acquisition approach to meet our future needs. Right now, there are systems in development using ground penetrating radar, advanced handheld devices and robotics systems whose target set has been expanded beyond mines to explosive hazards. Innovations in CEH capabilities to mitigate and neutralize the wide range of explosive threats will remain a priority, even as we pivot away from Afghanistan, and provide commanders with the freedom of action to defeat any adversary. Q: Your vision statement is printed in green—might ammunition be “going green” in the near future? A: Our team within PEO Ammo, along with support from U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center [ARDEC] and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory [ARL], is always looking for ways to reduce the impact of ammunition on the environment without sacrificing performance. The M855A1 enhanced performance round [EPR] that the Army began fielding in 2010 is a very successful example of this strategy. The M855A1 is a lead-free version of the M855 combat and training ball cartridge fired from the 5.56 mm family of weapons [M4, M16, and M249]. The EPR replaces the lead slug in the bullet with a copper slug, making the projectile environmentally friendly. Ongoing production of this round by our industry partner ammunition manufacturers has already eliminated almost 2,000 metric tons of lead from 5.56 mm ammunition production—lead that will no longer end up on Army training ranges. The material change effort used to remove the lead also provided an opportunity to relook the basic design of the round. The switch allowed us to incorporate a number of significant performance enhancements as well. Improvements included 18 | GCT 4.3
improved accuracy, hard-target penetration, and more consistent performance against soft targets. The Army is transitioning this “green” strategy to the 7.62 mm combat and training ball cartridge used in M240 machine gun, which we expect to begin fielding in 2014. We anticipate eliminating an average of 613 metric tons of lead per year from ammunition production thru 2018 with the greening of both rounds. The EPR program is an excellent example of how we are transitioning to “green” and achieving a win across the board for our soldiers and the environment. The ammunition production environment and the ranges our soldiers train on see a marked reduction in lead contamination and the soldier gains the benefit of a better performing combat and training round. Our ammunition facilities are also being “greened.” PEO Ammo has invested more than $240 million in environmental improvements to the seven government-owned, contractoroperated Army ammunition production facilities. These facilities provide large volumes of propellants, explosives, large caliber metal projectiles and cartridge cases, small caliber ammunition, and load/assemble/pack operations. Examples of environmental projects include large scale industrial waste water treatment and anoxic filtration systems to mitigate harmful contaminants from entering public rivers, advanced air filtration systems for coal powered steam plant air emissions compliance, and enhanced industrial acid sewers to prevent ground contamination. PEO Ammo also has the DoD’s demilitarization responsibility for all conventional ammunition and missiles. In that role, PEO Ammo has implemented a resource, recovery and recycling program that reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills and also uses advanced technology to mitigate harmful contaminants from entering into the environment during the demilitarization process. Q: What are you focusing on for the future of precision guidance? A: Currently, the Army has three significant precision initiatives that significantly improve existing precision artillery and mortar capabilities. They are the GPS-guided M982 Excalibur and XM1156 precision guidance kit [PGK] 155 mm artillery munitions, as well as the XM395 120 mm APMI. We are working three initiatives in the near term. The first is the “Network-Assisted GPS,” currently underway, which will employ another tactical network path for providing all available GPS precise positioning data for a given geographic location. This capability is expected to complete development and demonstration in 2015 with subsequent fielding as part of the recurring Army’s system-of-systems common operating environment qualification and release cycle. The second is the development of a GPS enhancement for PGK planned to begin in late 2013 and complete in 2015 for production and fielding beginning in 2016. This enhancement will provide the capability for PGK use in specific electronic countermeasure environments. The third is transition to the new military GPS user equipment “M-Code” enhanced GPS service that is coming with the advent of the GPS III constellation still in the initial stages of implementation. We are currently working with the U.S. Air www.GCT-kmi.com
Force GPS Directorate at Los Angeles Air Force Base to agree on an initial M-Code GPS receiver prototyping and demonstration effort for precision guided munitions [PGM] based on a common government specification. This PGM GPS M-Code common prototyping and demonstration effort, tentatively planned for FY14-15, is specifically focused on the challenges of the artillery and mortar gun-launched environment but will be applicable to existing and future PGMs across all services, such as USMC’s precision extended range mortar or the Navy’s long range land attack projectile. With an M-Code GPS receiver in PGK, Excalibur, or a future precision 120 mm mortar, these munitions will be more capable in GPS-challenged environments while, at the same time, affording lowered unit costs of up to 30 percent through competition via common specification M-Code GPS receiver component break-out strategy. Beyond GPS-guided munitions, we are A soldier works through the function check and clearing procedures for the MK-19, 40 mm grenade machine gun, as one event in the 2013 National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Ark. [Photo courtesy working with both ARL at Aberdeen Prov- of DoD] ing Ground and ARDEC here at Picatinny Arsenal on other potential precision anti-personnel rounds, and maybe some traditional HEDP improvements. In particular, one promising concept is the ammunition, or a mix of all three. This flexibility will provide potential application of small, low-cost, inertial measurement a company commander enormous combat capability, especially technology coupled with heuristic guidance processing that at the squad level, to accomplish a wide variety of mission sets might be packaged into future increments of Excalibur, PGK, quickly and effectively. The bottom line is that the next generaand a future high explosive guided mortar. Another is the applition of 40 mm grenades will give the squad tremendous flexibility cation of terminal guidance capabilities like a semi-active laser and capacity to overpower and overmatch any enemy, anywhere for possible incorporation into a potential future Excalibur block in the world. upgrade to provide a moving target engagement capability. Q: What do you expect next in the evolution of 40 mm requirements and capabilities? A: The 40 mm family of ammunition, for the most part, has not changed since the Vietnam era. 40 mm grenades have essentially stayed within three basic functions: high explosive dual-purpose [HEDP], smoke and illumination. These three functions have served us well in the past; however, the Army of the future requires capabilities that are more versatile, tailorable, and give the warfighter a distinct advantage on the battlefield. Modern advances in technologies have opened the door to a wide variety of potential new capabilities for the 40 mm grenadier. With that in mind, the next evolution in 40 mm grenades will see a growing list of additional purposes. The next generation of 40 mm ammunition will provide a toolbox of common and special purpose cartridges tailorable to mission requirements. We should expect to see capabilities that include improved lethality, extended range engagement, door breaching, counterdefilade, short range anti-personnel, marking and tagging, information collection, extended duration smoke and illumination, precision engagement, and combinations as appropriate. If for example, an infantry company commander receives a mission within an urban environment, he can customize his grenadiers to that particular mission with door breaching, short range www.GCT-kmi.com
Q: What is the Army’s view on airburst munitions? A: Airburst is an effective force multiplier, and the technologies are being evaluated and developed to provide solutions to a wide variety of soldier requirements. Our goal is to identify and evaluate the more mature technologies to confirm their applicability. For instance, in the area of 40 mm grenades, airburst capability is a solution we’re looking at as a means for the squad to engage targets in defilade, and against targets on the move. As a complementary capability to a 40 mm airburst round, Project Manager Soldier Weapons has demonstrated the XM25 weapon, with a new 25 mm airburst capability. For the new ground combat vehicle and tank ammunition, airburst technologies are being evaluated for effectiveness in defeating enemy targets in defilade. For example, the advanced multi purpose is a 120 mm direct-fire multi-purpose munitions being looked at to provide airburst capability and provide the tanker with a new and unprecedented capability to engage and defeat infantry and anti tank guided missile teams at extended ranges. The addition of airburst technology is definitely a game changer toward that end. Q: How do you ensure the optimization of DoD’s ammunition mission while maintaining good stewardship of taxpayer dollars? GCT 4.3 | 19
A: With PEO Ammunition designated as the DoD’s Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition, we have the responsibility and authority to look across all of DoD and take a joint view of everything we do in order to gain efficiencies. For instance, on our staff we have the Office of the Executive Director for Conventional Ammunition [OEDCA], led by a Navy captain, Ron Kocher, who facilitates the ammunition stratification cross-leveling process among the military services for the Under Secretary of Defense [Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (ATL)] , Strategic and Tactical Systems, Land Warfare and Munitions. One of the OEDCA’s successful cost avoidance initiatives is our annual “cross-leveling review.” By looking at each military service’s ammo inventory against their munitions requirements identified in the budget estimate submission, we look for excesses and identify those items as being available to meet another service’s requirements. The process transfers excess ammo from one service to satisfy a requirement within another service, thereby reducing the department’s overall ammunition acquisition costs. In addition, this cross-leveling also reduces additional contributions to the demilitarization stockpile and the added expense of having to dispose of that ammunition. For FY13 alone, the estimated procurement cost avoidance is approximately $121 million, with an associated demilitarization cost avoidance of $1.2 million. As an organization PEO Ammo has been highly engaged with USD [AT&L] Frank Kendall’s Better Buying Power initiatives, having implemented 95 initiatives with savings/avoidances of over $6 billion identified to date. Q: Munitions safety is a critical aspect in force protection. What has PEO Ammunition done to improve the safety and survivability in the munitions they procure for other military services? A: Starting in 2009, the Air Force and Navy undertook a major redesign effort to improve compliance of general purpose [GP] bombs with DoD insensitive munitions [IM] policy. The purpose of IM was to make explosives safer, improve mission capability, and lower the hazard class division. This allows for safer storage of munitions, an increased quantity of munitions that can be stored together and improved safety during transportation and build up activities. The IM effort has resulted in redesigned GP Bombs that are safer during flight and shipping activities worldwide where safety is paramount. To support this effort, the DoD Ammunition Enterprise has been driving for a common IM solution for GP bombs for more than a decade. Until now, the services have largely developed IM solutions to address their unique requirements. Recently, AlIMX-101, an IM explosive developed by ARDEC here at Picatinny Arsenal, was chosen to be the common IM explosive for GP bombs in the out years. The ARDEC formulation is based on the very successful base material, IMX-101, developed as a TNT replacement by BAE systems. In November 2011, Time magazine chose IMX-101 as one of its top 50 inventions. The ARDEC formulators saw and seized the opportunity to modify IMX-101 for use in GP bombs, and the joint community saw the value in the idea and funded the program. The safety provided by IM explosives is illustrated by the story of one of Picatinny’s own employees, whose son’s unit deployed to Afghanistan. The unit experienced an IED attack on a mine-resistant 20 | GCT 4.3
Soldiers set the fuse of an accelerated precision mortar initiative (APMI) cartridge during a training exercise at Fort Stewart, Ga. The APMI round is a GPS-guided 120 mm mortar that allows precisionstrike capability, creating less collateral damage on the battlefield. [Photo courtesy of DoD]
ambush protected armored vehicle. The IED attack resulted in four injuries but it could have been a lot worse. The vehicle was carrying 16 60 mm high explosive M768 mortar cartridges. The damage assessment team noted that cartridges inside the vehicle did not detonate from the ensuing fire. The IM technology used in the M768 was one of the key factors preventing high order detonations thus saving the lives of the soldiers. The M768 is managed by PEO Ammo’s Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems. The development and conversion to IM explosives is providing an additional level of safety and survivability to the joint warfighter. Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say to the servicemembers and civilians of PEO Ammunition about the work they do to support America’s Army? A: The entire workforce should be very proud of the work they have done over the past 12 years to support the warfighter. We have the most dedicated, professional and competent workforce in the world. They prove it every day with the products they deliver to our servicemembers. Whether it is conventional ammunition, mortars, towed artillery, or IED-defeat capabilities, our workforce has delivered superior products to our joint warfighters. They set an example around the world and they should be proud of what they have accomplished. O www.GCT-kmi.com
LNS boost situational awareness from ground to air to space and beyond.
By Jeff Campbell, GCT Editor
Land navigation systems (LNS) have many logistics applications, including reducing manpower in a supply convoy. Oshkosh Defense’s TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology is a mature system that ground combat forces could employ tomorrow. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory evaluated the TerraMax UGV technology for the Cargo UGV project, and Oshkosh has demonstrated the technology for the Army, the Naval Surface Warfare Center and various DoD representatives. “The primary motivation for this technology is to save lives by providing standoff from IED attacks,” Beck said. “There’s a secondary benefit, and that is force multiplication by one-to-many control, where a www.GCT-kmi.com
with manned vehicles in a wide range single operator can manage the operation of operations, including logistics convoys, of multiple unmanned assets. As we reduce route clearance and counter-IED, airfield our force strength, this technology could construction, and intelplay a critical role in mobilizligence, surveillance and ing military operations.” reconnaissance missions. TerraMax UGV technology In addition to the sencan be integrated onto any sors used to perceive the tactical wheeled vehicle in the environment, TerraMax current fleet. The technology UGV technology uses an is delivered as a scalable kit inertial navigation systhat can be tightly integrated tem (INS) with GPS as an on current production vehiimportant input to achieve cles, including those built autonomous navigation. by other manufacturers, or According to Oshkosh chief retrofitted on legacy vehicles John Beck unmanned systems engiwhile retaining the vehicles’ neer John Beck, the system incorporates original payload and performance capaa fully integrated, tightly coupled unit that bilities. These UGVs can be used in concert GCT 4.3 | 21
combines highly accurate fiber-optic gyros along with an encrypted GPS signal, enabled by what’s called a selective-availability antispoofing module. “That’s a DoD-only device that is resistant to jamming,” he said. “It is strictly for government use, and is available only to DoD-authorized contractors such as Oshkosh.” The GPS/INS used by the TerraMax UGV technology not only provides position and heading information for autonomous navigation, but it also provides a time-synchronization signal for the entire system so that all sensors and processes are synchronized within a few microseconds, which is critical for sensor processing—especially when on the move, where range information is time dependent. “This component is designed for highprecision positioning for land navigation, as well as accurate pointing and stabilization for a variety of military applications,” Beck said, adding that the TerraMax UGV system doesn’t necessarily rely on GPS position. “We also leverage a technology that allows us to run completely GPSdenied, so our system is enhanced, rather than reliant on GPS.” For instance, in a tactical environment a warfighter may be without access to reliable GPS signals. It could be an urban canyon or an area with a lot of vegetative canopy, in which case GPS coverage is degraded or denied entirely. “Or, it could be in an RF environment where GPS is denied,” Beck said. “We employ advanced registration techniques that correlate the vehicle’s perception of its surroundings with ground truth geospatial data.” Even the best inertial navigation system’s position accuracy can drift over time when GPS corrections are not present. “The fiber-optic gyros in the INS will keep a fairly good track of position even if GPS is denied,” Beck said. “By using these registration techniques, we’re able to operate for many miles without any GPS signal at all, and still correct for errors in position estimates.” The distance between the operator (in another tactical vehicle) and the unmanned vehicle they’re monitoring is limited only to the data link between the operator control unit (OCU) and the unmanned vehicle. TerraMax UGVs have been operated at distances over half a mile line of sight. “Nonline-of-sight separation depends heavily on the interfering material, whether it’s a hill or trees or buildings,” Beck said. “Typical 22 | GCT 4.3
operation up to 200 meters non-line-ofThe helmet-mounted display was an sight is not out of the ordinary.” internally funded system developed over Oshkosh recently concluded the Cargo a two-year period as a product for the Air UGV project with the Marine Corps WarNational Guard. Then and now, the Guard fighting Laboratory. “In two instances we is extremely price-sensitive, so Thales trained operators—and these were Marine Visionix needed to produce a very affordveterans—on the use of the system,” Beck able system that also had a high capability said. “Of course, when first introduced to threshold. “Particularly, they wanted it to the technology, the Marines were skeptibe fully day/night capable and full color cal, if not cynical, of the system because capable,” said Thales Visionix President they had experience in theater performPete Roney. “We brought them an off-theing logistics missions and understand the shelf product that they have now taken in challenges.” Three days of system training to full rate production for the A-10 and included classroom instruction and examF-16 aircraft.” ple operation in a simulation environment, The first user of the system was the Air followed by hands-on practice application Force Special Operations Command for its on the vehicles. AC-130 gunship in 2009. Shortly thereafThose who’ve been trained on the syster, the Guard came on board for A-10 and tem took to the OCU quite F-16 aircraft. “We’re fielding readily, due to its familiar systems for both Guard and game-style touchscreen Active A-10s,” Roney said. interface and PlayStation“We started delivering in full like controller. Trainees rate production for that probecame experts very quickly, gram in 2012.” Additionally, according to Beck. “It was just this past January, Thales almost indistinguishable Visionix won the Army comwhether they were taking mon helmet mounted distele-operation control or if play program. the system was running in The system is designed autonomous mode,” he said. to give a pilot full 360-degree Pete Roney At the conclusion of the spherical situational awaretraining, Beck said, the Marines agreed the ness; the ability to look up, down, side to TerraMax UGV system was an up-and-comside, behind and in front, obtaining situing, useful technology. “They were excited ational awareness—in full color—of the about it and felt confident that they would battlefield. Roney said it enables pilots to be able to manage supervision of three to see “bad guys, good guys and everything five unmanned vehicles within a convoy.” in between. Being in full color, it really “The capstone event of the project was enables the pilot to differentiate between part of a larger experiment. Motor transport all the various symbols on the battlefield in Marines that were trained on the use of the real time, and it does this day and night.” system took part in live force experiments Roney was almost as amazed with the where a single operator supervised two initial feedback as the users were the first unmanned vehicles within an eight-vehicle time they tried out the system. “Almost convoy,” Beck said. “The Marines conevery pilot that I’ve met who tries the sysducted logistics missions, day and night, tem for the first time finds it to be gameover about a week’s time, during which changing, particularly because we’re giving the convoy was subjected to a multitude them full color, which is something that of weather conditions and operational scethey’ve never had before.” narios including ambushes and simulated Full color is relatively new to the navigaIED attacks. The Marines were able to take tion system, but other control systems have appropriate courses of action in response.” been in color for quite some time. Most likely, if commercial pilots were told all their controls were going back to all green, Air Navigation Tech Meets they would never have it; they’ve become Ground Gear accustomed to full color and wouldn’t want to revert. “We’re doing stuff that gives a Thales Visionix Inc. has a navigation pilot—and soon a user on the ground—the system called Scorpion, now fielded in the ability to truly create an augmented reality air, which the company is looking to bring experience, where the end-user can overlay to the soldier on the ground. www.GCT-kmi.com
real-time video on targets to confirm a target,” Roney said, noting that the video could originate from a UAV or another sensor. “The user can overlay map data on the horizon to understand in a synthetic world what the environment really looks like.” On the ground, the user could potentially hand symbols off from one soldier to another, and while walking with teammates, see what is designated and know the difference between various targets. “We’ve developed the system to—much like your smartphone—be an extremely intuitive device,” Roney said, pointing out that this system is unique in that it gives end-users the ability to create their own symbols. “We have end-users in the air who have made apps for the system that we never even thought about.” That’s a fundamental change in the technology; before, if the user wanted an update to any type of display technology, they would have to go back to the equipment manufacturer to get the modification. “We deliver a system that’s much like an iPhone or a white board where the user can define what apps he or she wants to use,” Roney said. “[We are] offering that at a fundamentally disruptive price point, and that gets people excited.” Having succeeded in the air, the Thales Visionix team was naturally inclined to explore how they could provide a similar system to someone on the ground. They’re working towards implementing the system in Special Operations Command’s future tactical assault light operator suit. “There are a few other possibilities for users like joint terminal air controllers and other special operations forces who find this type of a product very interesting, particularly when they need to communicate in real time using visual cues as opposed to voice commands between the air and the ground,” Roney said. One concept of the system in action on the ground could be to designate targets from the ground for the air, or to better understand where the soldiers are on the ground. Recently acquired by Thales Communications Inc., Visionix has a particular capability now with unfiltered access to the developer of the multiband inter/intra team radio (MBITR). In an airplane, the Thales Visionix system communicates with the rest of the forces though the aircraft communications systems, or data links. “A person on the ground has to be able to get data from somewhere, so we’re working directly with Thales Communications www.GCT-kmi.com
to integrate the MBITR radio into our own architecture, so we have the data-pipe in mind as we’re developing our own ground system,” Roney said. “We are looking at the special operator as the launch market for this type of product, but we’re taking the same development architecture and concepts as we did in the air, we’re self-funding the development, and we’re bringing our customers into the process very early.” All of that, they aim to do in a sensible price for the current fiscal environment. “For us, that’s right up our alley, something we’ve done before, and we’re excited at the challenge to do it again on the ground,” Roney said. “We’re very active in bringing that product to market.” A top priority for both the air and ground system is to offer the warfighter a large step function difference in acquisition costs from the start, of a modular system. “If piece parts break during use, through whatever cause, the parts are easy to replace in pieces as opposed to an entire system,” Roney said. “Each one of those pieces is easily field-replaceable.” Roney calls this a generational change in technology. “We developed the system largely based on commercial technologies and integrated them into a ruggedized defense-capable product with sophisticated engineering. The result is Scorpion.”
partner with Lockheed Martin in developing that new technology for the Air Force,” Farrell said. “Late this year, we are about to ship the first navigation payload for GPS III to Lockheed Martin, where they’ll integrate that with the satellite vehicle, and it will be launched in the 2015 time frame.” This next evolution in GPS sustains nearly 40 years of Exelis’ involvement in the industry, a rich legacy that goes back to the beginning of time with GPS. They’re also partnering as a subcontractor with Raytheon on the next generation control segment, OCX. OCX is a global control for GPS III and the other satellites in the GPS constellation, the next generation of the control segment. “We are doing some key parts of that, including the navigation software,” Farrell said. “We also develop all the non-commercial off-the-shelf software associated with OCX, including the ground station monitor.” As the team lofts the GPS III payload into space, OCX will help control GPS III and other satellites. “The user segment covers a great expanse of market opportunity,” Farrell said, citing the Garmins of the world, which the average user is well-acquainted with. “We recently introduced a product called Signal Sentry, a product that detects and geo-locates devices that are jamming the GPS signal.” With Signal Sentry, the company intends to be more engaged in the user segment Next-Gen GPS Closer as well. than You Think Signal Sentry is appropriately named because it There are three different is a stationary network, segments of the GPS world, according to Mark Crews, and Exelis Geospatial SysPh.D., business developtems’ positioning, navigation ment lead for positioning, and timing business is heavnavigation and timing at ily involved in two of them. Exelis Geospatial Systems. Most people are very familiar Mark Crews The former chief engineer with the user segment by for the GPS Directorate and now. The space segment is a retired Air Force colonel explained the curpoint of pride for Exelis, according to Kevin rent version is a network of 10 sensors that Farrell, general manager of positioning, can geo-locate small jammers within about navigation and timing, since Exelis has one square mile. “They stand watch basibeen on every U.S. GPS payload with 100 cally,” he said. “We have a technology road percent mission success. Once the payload map to eventually go mobile and expand is lofted into the GPS constellation, the the geographic coverage.” next phase is the control segment, which For now, those quiet watch standers are controls the constellation and provides designed to protect critical infrastructure, uploads. such as air and sea ports. The sentry is Exelis works with several industry partcurrently dedicated to the primary GPS ners to improve GPS systems, including civil signal, L1CA. Plans are in the works the next generation of GPS satellites, GPS to expand for military signals that operate III, for which Exelis is a subcontractor to both on L1 and L2 GPS bands. Military Lockheed Martin. “We’re very excited to GCT 4.3 | 23
user equipment uses L1 and L2 PY signals, identical signals which are broadcast on two different frequencies. “It allows ionosphere correction; you get better navigation accuracy with those signals—and they’re broader bandwidth, so you get better process and gain as well,” Crews said. OCX will enable a new signal called m-code, up on several satellites, required to deliver the next generation of cryptography to user equipment. “The GPS constellation is composed of about 30 satellites of different blocks as they’ve evolved over the generations,” Crews said, noting that Exelis developed the first satellite to broadcast the m-code signals. “They’re encrypted signals designed specifically for warfighters.” About one-third of those GPS satellites on orbit have m-code capability now. “OCX will allow the operators in the ground control segment to increase m-code signal power on those satellites, or increase y-code signal power to combat jamming,” he said. Signal Sentry is not part of OCX now, but could be integrated in the future. “It’s a different product line that we, because of our expertise within GPS signals, have the ability to develop,” Crews said. The GPS III navigation payloads Exelis is building now can broadcast up to three times the power of the current generation of satellites in use. Each satellite is 20,000 kilometers above the surface of the earth, broadcasting just a few tunes of watts, so the signal is very weak by the time it reaches warfighters. Heading indoors or under a bridge can cause signal loss altogether. “Jamming essentially raises the noise floor,” Crews said. “So, if you have a system that can locate the jammers and feed that information back to the space operators at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, then they can command and control the satellites to increase military signal power to help compensate for the jamming.” This helps mitigate the jamming effect and improves accuracy, which all translates into a better understanding of where the soldier is. “GPS signals include very precise timing information, as well as the position of the satellite itself,” added Farrell. “While the terminology is slightly different, it’s basically triangulating in terms of being able to calculate the precise point where the soldier is, based on various signals from space and calculating the amount of time it takes to get that signal 24 | GCT 4.3
A U.S. Army multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer uses a Defense Advanced GPS Receiver atop a satellite transportable terminal in support of the vibrant response 13 exercise, at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The joint exercise brings various military and civilian agencies together to train on how to assist local, state and federal partners in the event of a national crisis. [Photo courtesy of U.S. Army]
from the satellite to the soldier.” So the more precise that timing signal is, the more precise the actual positioning information is. “That translates into safety, in terms of being that much clearer about where you are in relationship to other things on the battlefield,” Farrell said. “These are things that really help the warfighter quite a bit.” According to Crews, the first time troops will see OCX and begin feeling its effects will be in 2017. “GPS is like a great big feedback loop,” he explained. “You’ve got the controllers that monitor the state of the L-band signals via the monitor station receivers.” There are 17 monitor stations distributed around the earth and each one will have a new receiver. The OCX monitor station receiver element—developed by Exelis—will be in each one of the monitor stations and will process the new, modernized signals, then feed that back to the operators so they can update the satellites. Each satellite is contacted daily to get an updated position and time information, based on the feedback from the receivers and monitor stations worldwide. In 2019, users will see the m-code being brought about. “There are all kinds of information assurance and other elements that are being brought about for OCX, because it’s a big network and we have to protect against cyber attacks. OCX cybersecurity is incredibly important for
protecting GPS for both warfighters and civil users worldwide,” Crews said. The team is on a brisk schedule to deliver the first payload by the end of the year: a panel, roughly 18 by 13 feet with six mounted transmitters, the data mission unit, and the computer that generates the waveform and manages the payload smarts. They got a jump on the process by delivering a GPS non-flight satellite test bed. “It’s essentially a GPS III prototype satellite that’s not intended to fly,” Crews said. “We developed our processes for flight hardware and flight software, all the test equipment that surrounds that to check it out, to go through its acceptance test procedures at various levels.” That prototype was delivered at the end of last year and has met all of its performance objectives. “That was truly a great step forward in mitigating the risk that would otherwise be there,” Farrell said. With all of these partners working together to provide GPS data to the warfighter faster then ever, the calculated risks troops take will be less risky. O
For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.
www.GCT-kmi.com
Extensive testing and effective distribution lead to mission success.
By Jeff Campbell, GCT Editor
The enemy is on the move, day and night, so The Direction of NVS the U.S. Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) specifically develops technoloThe state-of-the-art technology in night vision gies to enhance soldiers’ situational awareness. Night is the ability to always provide visibility of targets vision systems (NVS) provide a tactical edge, but their and surroundings during day, twilight and all levels accuracy in identifying threats is critical, according to of darkness, according to Meprolight Marketing and NVESD Ground Combat Systems Director Tom BowSales Manager Zvika Lisichkin. “The solution to that man. “Our soldiers fight in very restrictive rules of is fusion between a high-quality thermal infrared [IR] engagement (ROE), where targets must be positively and starlight intensification system that solve most visidentified as enemy combatants before a weapon is ibility problems,” he said. fired,” Bowman said. “This is further complicated Keeping the weight down is a priority for MeproTom Bowman when threats mix in with non-combatants.” light as they look for innovative ways to lighten the To give our warfighters a confidence boost in load of their thermal weapon sights. “We try to make separating threats from non-combatants, NVESD our sights as light as possible because we know the is working on sensors that will augment existing importance of mobility and fast reactions to the soltechnologies. The sensors will use “nontraditional” dier,” Lisichkin said. “We always try to find the lightest wavelengths, taking advantage of optical physics that materials for the body of our TWS and to fit in the still enables covertness while providing high resolusmallest microbolometers possible that still provide a tion images. The directorate is also working on novel high-quality image.” optical designs that reduce sensor weight by 50 perThere’s no question about the requirement for cent. Those designs are being incorporated into new lightweight systems, but a lighter system isn’t the top thermal weapon sights (TWS). choice if it can’t perform the task at hand. “For examOne additional innovation is NVESD’s developple, thermal can’t see through windows and image Zvika Lisichkin ment of rapid target acquisition (RTA) technology. intensification can, which give it a tactical advantage “RTA is a paradigm shift for individual thermal weapon sights by in urban fighting,” he said. “Also, you can mark targets using IR nonallowing the soldier to use a sensor offensively by giving the individvisible lasers for covert ops and close quarters combat using a helmetual soldier the capability to ‘shoot from the hip’ by transferring, wiremounted monocular and an IR laser on the rifle for fast shooting from lessly, his weapon pointing and sight imagery up to a head-mounted the waist.” display,” Bowman said. “We are currently testing these technologies Night vision technology has continued to advance over the past with our user community with much success.” few years, with product solutions based on both image-intensification While there are advantages gained from newer assets, the green as well as infrared imaging, according to Michelle Intiso, inside sales color displays of sensor information are still the preferred method in manager at Sofradir-EC. “Because of significant military budget today’s night vision systems, although NVESD does sometimes use restrictions, including the impact of sequestration, and the current black and white displays when fusing imagery with other sensors. level of military activity, new product designers are motivated to meet “The human eye has the most sensitivity to wave lengths of the required performance requirements at a target cost,” Intiso said. light in the 500- to 600-nm region (green color spectrum), so “For example, for portable and mobile products, new designs often we use green in night vision systems to minimize the amount of seek not only minimum SWaP [small size, low weight and power], but brightness needed and maintain the best overall performance,” also minimized cost, hence ‘SWaP-C.’” Bowman said. He predicts that in the future, emerging technologies Uncooled cores are now available for night vision systems based on will enable a transition from night-only devices to day and night thermal imaging. These cores deliver improved thermal sensitivity and devices, resulting in adding color instead of monochrome green. high resolution at a reasonable cost, Intiso said. “Uncooled systems “Color aids the display of map imagery from personnel data assisare commonly found not only in portable night vision solutions such tance, day TV cameras and other developments, easing use for our as enhanced night vision goggles and thermal weapons sights, but soldiers,” he said. also in IR security cameras, mobile platforms of UAV surveillance and www.GCT-kmi.com
GCT 4.3 | 25
cameras with substantial size and cost reductions. “Combining the driver’s vision enhancers,” she explained. “Cooled IR imaging systems visible and LWIR sensors into a single device eliminates the need continue to deliver the best possible performance in several spectral for separate optics and image processing to register the visible and bands, including LW, MW and SW.” infrared images, giving the soldier less to carry while providing better Sofradir-EC has its sights focused on three key areas: the developinformation,” he said. ment of night vision modules designed to amplify low-light to better Somewhere down the line, a soldier may be able to see clearly at enable digital SLR cameras and high definition camcorders to acquire night through an enhanced windshield in Army vehicles. nighttime images; the design of uncooled IR cores with “We have just completed a joint research project state-of-the-art array resolution (1024-by-768) for with our sister Army Research, Development driver’s vision, distributed aperture and surand Engineering Command organization, the veillance products; and the introduction of Army Tank, Automotive Research, Developcooled IR imaging engines in LW and MW ment and Engineering Center,” Bowman IR spectral bands for a variety of applisaid. “One of the purposes of this research cations, including fire control, missile was to demonstrate 360-degree vision to a warning, ISR and sights. vehicle operator and the squad riding in Sofradir-EC has participated in trainthe back.” ing exercises that gave them opporThe goal was to provide all-around tunities to speak with ground combat situational awareness while the vehicle personnel who shared their operational operated with its hatches closed. “We use experiences, describing situations in the term ‘transparent armor’ to describe which superior nighttime image capture The Atom 1024 delivers 60 percent improved detection range over video graphics array-based systems. the type of information an operator sees while was required. “This has been extraordinarily [Photo courtesy of Sofradir-EC] using the system.” NVESD’s part in the process valuable to implement designs that better meet included developing wide field of view day and night the needs in the field,” Intiso said. That exposure sensors with increased resolution. “These sensors enabled the soldiers helped them introduce several products over the past year, including: to operate as if they had no armor to block their view,” Bowman said. AstroScope night vision modules designed for use with a new family of “This proved successful for operations in both open, rolling [environfull-frame digital SLR cameras that eliminate vignetting yet result in ments] and complex [urban] environments.” very high performance at night; high resolution uncooled IR cameras, Eventually, transparent armor will be incorporated into future like the Atom 1024 with continuous zoom 25-225 mm, delivering 60 Army programs such as the ground combat vehicle, but for now, percent improved detection range over video graphics array-based sysNVESD’s top priorities for the future remain the same as they always tems; and the high performance miniature IR thermal imaging engine have been. “We are constantly looking at developing the right technolLW cooled IR imaging engine for state-of-the-art nighttime detection. ogy that meets warfighters’ future needs,” Bowman said, noting that cost is an important aspect. “We are constantly evaluating the cost of Distribution Perspective our sensors for ways to reduce manufacturing costs while providing new capabilities.” Tucson, Ariz.-based Alternative Vision Corporation (AVC) distribFor the most part, the technologies NVESD develops are specific utes image sensors and digital cameras to industrial and scientific to the military and few commercial applications exist. In addition customers worldwide. The company also provides sales and marketto the directorate’s research to reduce the sensor weights, NVESD ing services to some of their nine vendor lines, giving AVC President is always looking to reduce power and the number of batteries David Gilblom a unique perspective on night vision technology, which needed. “We rely heavily on the commercial side to reduce size and he currently calls “photon-limited in the visible and cost-limited in power of electronics while providing expanded capability,” Bowman the infrared.” said, citing the commercial cell phone market as a great example of He sees room for incremental progress in the visible, but said smaller size with much increased capability. “Although our techthat the sensors available now do a pretty good job of capturing and nologies have little commercial application, there are areas of overlap converting available photons and preserving their signals. “In every and we capitalize on those advancements to reduce our costs while infrared band, the challenge is getting the cost down both by developincreasing capability.” ing better uncooled sensors and by developing less-expensive producThese TWS advancements result in success for our ground combat tion processes,” he said. ”Of course, finding a material that would troops. “We work extremely hard to provide our soldiers with the best allow construction of uncooled photon detectors in the infrared would night vision technology, enabling them to fight and survive on the provide a major breakthrough, especially in the mid-wave band, but battlefield,” Bowman said. “Our mission today is to examine additional that is not likely to happen anytime soon.” opportunities that allow soldiers to operate on tomorrow’s battlefield One innovation he saw recently came from Lumiense Photonagainst complex and unique threats while operating in the limited ics, which has developed visible image sensors with near 100 percent fiscal situation the Army faces: Our aim is to develop the right technolquantum efficiency and low noise, and long-wavelength infrared ogy with minimum cost.” O (LWIR) sensors that can be built using standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor processes. “They incorporate a frame reset functions to eliminate image lag,” he said. “We hope to have these For more information, contact GCT Editor Jeff Campbell devices on the market before the end of this year.” at jcampbell@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives Ultimately, these products will be combined in a single device to for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com. permit wider deployment of high-performance visible and infrared 26 | GCT 4.3
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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Ground Combat Technology
Shawn Mueller, Ph.D. CEO and Developer Centech Inc.
Shawn Mueller is a world-renowned research scientist who holds a Ph.D. in naturopathy, a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and an associate degree in psychology. He is a recognized authority in the field of trace minerals and electrolytes and perhaps the world’s leading authority on cytotropic-crystalloid electrolytes pertinent to overall health and physical performance. He was the founder and CEO of ElectroLife Laboratories Inc., a bio-science research and development facility dedicated towards the clinical study of crystal-formed electrolytes. Mueller has certifications in phlebotomy, microscopy and neuromuscular sports therapy. He served as the team physician/trainer for Team USA (Martial Arts) for the 1995 Goodwill Games and the 1996 Pan-American Games. Mueller also was also an international motivational teacher/speaker for health symposiums, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Q: What are the top benefits of HydraBlast hydration spray? A: The top benefits are rapid hydration, portability and electrolytes. Hydra-Blast facilitates rapid hydration of red blood cells [RBCs] in the human body within moments through rapid oral absorption, thus completely bypassing the stomach and eliminating time-consuming digestion. In a dehydrated state, RBCs are stuck together and become less efficient. Seconds after dosing with Hydra-Blast, RBCs begin to rehydrate by drawing the required water from the plasma. Once rehydrated, they begin transporting oxygen that is used for energy and nutrients to the muscles, brain and other organs and carry away stored acid wastes caused by strenuous physical activity. Since Hydra-Blast enhances cellular performance and makes the water you drink more bio-available, it then helps to 28 | GCT 4.3
Q: What sets Hydra-Blast apart from other sprays or similar products?
reduce the amount of water necessary for performance in the field under demanding and extenuating circumstances. From the soldier and guardsman who has to hump his pack during combat engagements or conduct rescue and humanitarian efforts, or even special operations where every ounce of reduced weight in their pack provides an advantage, HydraBlast is the solution toward saving lives by enhancing performance. Hydra-Blast has a balanced combination of specially selected trace minerals or electrolytes specially processed for rapid absorption. Most food sources are grown in soil that is depleted of minerals and our water supplies lack needed electrolyte minerals as well. As a daily supplement, Hydra-Blast supplies our cells with these electrolyte minerals that we need for absorption, increasing the cells ability for absorption of other nutrients we ingest for added energy and endurance. There is no caffeine or stimulants and we are classified as a dietary supplement by the FDA. Q: How does using this spray to hydrate differ from consuming liquids? A: Liquids we drink are only a carrier for the essential minerals our bodies need for optimal performance. Water and sports drinks alone will not hydrate on the cellular level. Hydra-Blast has the perfectly balanced combination of polar activated electrolytes to facilitate rapid cellular absorption. Therefore, Hydra-Blast is the perfect hydration partner.
A: Hydra-Blast is a breakthrough in cellular absorption research. We are not aware of any other product in the market that has the benefits of Hydra-Blast, the ability to transport essential micronutrients at the cellular level in seconds. Our troops deserve the very best because they put it all on the line for us each and every day. Q: Are there other products you have coming up to benefit soldiers? A: Yes, our research with other nutritional products is ongoing and there are additional products we will soon introduce to benefit our military. Hydra-Blast is the one product that makes all of the other forthcoming products work even better. The company’s founder and owner as well as several of its executive advisors are prior military. They have experience ranging from commanding officers to NCOs with hands-on special operations background. This fact ensures an understanding of the needs and demands of our soldiers. Q: Is there anything else you’d like the ground and air combat community to know? A: Our product is the result of decades of research and development. We have applied proprietary technology to a natural performance product. The results are improved mental clarity and cognition for the soldier who has been engaged for extended periods of time. It means faster acclimation to extreme changes in geographical locations, reducing the effects of jetlag during rapid deployment. It means enhanced endurance for when the soldiers need that slight edge. It equals improved overall health and performance under demanding operations. We give the human body what it needs to function at peak performance. O www.GCT-kmi.com
NEXTISSUE The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter
September 2013 Vol. 4, Issue 4
Cover and In-Depth Interview with:
Gen. James F. Amos Commandant U.S. Marine Corps
Features: Flame Retardant Apparel When hot temps, dry air, and dangerous equipment mix and catch fire, flame retardant uniform material keeps our warriors safe from burns. Marine Soldier Weapons U.S. Marines have a mastery of many different weapons. We take a close look at several that any marksman would be proud to carry to battle.
Special Section:
Training Systems Whether in a simulator at the schoolhouse or out in a field training exercise, U.S. Army ground training systems are progressing to a level unimaginable just a few years ago.
Marine Corps Program Updates Senior staff, including program executive officers, provide a detailed status report on each Marine Corps Systems Command acquisition program.
Insertion Order Deadline: August 29, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ Ad Materials Deadline: September 5, 2013
ENGINEERED TO BE AS TOUGH AS THE WARFIGHTERS WHO RELY ON THEM.
Meritor ProTec Series 30 High Mobility Independent Suspension. Proven protection and maneuverability under fire. ®
Tomorrow’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) fleet will be more maneuverable, durable and reliable than ever. Featuring Meritor Defense’s ProTec High Mobility Independent Suspension Series 30 to increase gross vehicle weight capability up to 20,000 pounds, while providing better braking, stability and handling. It even bolts easily into existing HMMWV chassis, making for a suspension solution that’s as cost efficient as it is combat effective. It’s the future of combat-ready suspension technology, available today. ®
Watch the ProTec Series 30 in action at meritordefense.com. Meritor is not affiliated with or endorsed by AM General, LLC. © 2013 Meritor, Inc.
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