Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ISSUE NO. 10
work on the ghillie suit as well as a uniform repair patch kit and enhanced combat vehicle crewman coverall. Its a privilege to serve the Army and provide much-needed protective equipment to the warfighter, Nguyen said. The flameresistant ghillie suit accessory kit and flameresistant base uniform will improve the safety of those forward operators and keep the Army on the leading edge of capability and lethality. The Comparative Technology Office allows us the ability to lean forward and fast track capability and protection to our Soldiers who volunteer to be in harms way. Matthew West, a junior hydra project engineer with the U.S. Army Research, Matthew West, a junior hydra project engineer with the U.S. Army Research, Development
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U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Director Dale Ormond talks with employees at a March 27 town hall meeting at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)
support they need to address issues and challenges. Ormond said RDECOM will continue to execute Army Materiel Command priorities to the best of our abilities. Its about taking care of the priorities, doing the work that we can do and communicating what were not going to be able to do through the chain of command, he said. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS RDECOM Human Resources Director Todd Morris presented a detailed overview of definitions, potential timelines and the general framework of the proposed furlough. Morris explained how employees may not substitute a day of leave or compensatory time for a day of furlough. If my furlough day is Friday, that means I cannot take leave on Fridays, he said. It is universally known that this will have an impact on our capacity, on our output, on everything we do. Morris said there is no shortage of information. The presentation, full of links to FAQ sheets and various Q&A site is available on the RDECOM SharePoint site.
The INSIDER is an internal information product of RDECOM G5/Public Affairs, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 at (410) 306-4539 Strategy & Communications Director (G5): Lionel Brown at lionel.l.brown.civ@mail.mil
STRESS MANAGEMENT Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Juan Crockett gave a stress management presentation and offered his services anytime. This is important, Crockett said. You cant handle this alone. We all are experiencing this. Every one of us. Its something that we have to deal with. Ormond said RDECOM leadership will continue to keep the workforce informed. If you need additional information, please visit our SharePoint site, or speak with your supervisor, Ormond said. A video of the entire town hall meeting will be made available to center and laboratory public affairs offices. Theres no doubt in my mind that we do great things for Soldiers every day, Ormond said. This command in particular has a profound impact on the Army every day. What youre doing is providing new capabilities for Soldiers to execute their mission and come home safe. RELATED LINKS SharePoint: http://go.usa.gov/2A39 RDECOM: http://www.army.mil/RDECOM FB: http://facebook.com/USArmyRDECOM
Public Affairs Officer: Joseph Ferrare at joseph.ferrare.civ@mail.mil Editor: David McNally at david.mcnally@us.army.mil Please send us your feedback!
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey brief the media in the Pentagon on March 28, 2013. Hagel and Dempsey discussed the ongoing sequester, the impact of furloughs, and recent provocative actions on the part of North Korea. (DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett)
operating support and training for nondeployed units. More critical in the long run, he said, is how budget cuts will affect readiness and the departments overall mission. Because of that concern, he said he has directed Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct an intensive departmentwide review of U.S. strategic interests including how to protect the nation with fewer resources. How do we prioritize the threats and then the capabilities required to deal with threats? he said. There will be some significant changes, theres no way around it. Dempsey said the department has already exhausted 80 percent of its operating funds halfway through the fiscal year and characterized the current budget situation as not the deepest, but the steepest decline in our budget ever, and warned it will affect military readiness into the future. We will have to trade at some level and to some degree our future readiness for current operations, the chairman said. He called on elected leaders to give the Pentagon the budget flexibility it needs to carry out institutional reforms. We cant afford excess equipment, Dempsey said. We cant afford excess facilities. We have to reform how we buy weapons and services. We have to reduce redundancy. And weve got to change, at some level, our compensation structure. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/127fW3f
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days with affected Components so as to mitigate the furloughs impact on participants. Employees should consult with their developmental program manager for more information. To what extent does non-pay status affect retirement coverage? Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) coverage continue during an Administrative Furlough of 30 days or less. Will social security contributions be affected? Social security contributions are determined by a percentage of an employees basic pay and may be stopped or reduced if the employee has no earnings or if basic pay is reduced. Are Human Resources Offices required to provide furloughed federal employees with an SF-8, Notice to Federal Employee about Unemployment Insurance? Federal agencies are required to provide employees with an SF-8 if they will be in a nonduty status for seven or more consecutive days. If an employee who received a furlough notice had previously scheduled annual or sick leave on a furlough day, what happens to the scheduled leave? Scheduled leave is canceled on furlough days only (annual leave, sick leave, or other). Absences during scheduled furlough days may not be charged to leave. Leave may be requested and approved on scheduled workdays. May employees who were designated as exempt from an administrative furlough be granted paid leave? Yes. Employees exempted from administrative furloughs would see no change from normal leave situations, subject to supervisory approval. Will the furlough impact leave accrual? Once an employees balance of non-pay hours equals their scheduled hours in a pay period (e.g., 80 hours in a biweekly pay period, fewer hours for part-time employees), the employee will not accrue leave for that pay period. Leave accrual resumes the next pay period. This will
THIS IS WHAT WE DO FOR PT! BAGR AM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Field Assistance in Science and Technology-Center, or RFAST-C, Prototype Integration Facility brings engineering expertise directly to the battlefield. The team is always up for a challenge at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. APG PLANS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS EVENT All APG RDECOM employees are invited to attend a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action Ceremony 10 a.m., April 2 at the APG Post Theater. The guest speaker is Jessica L. Wright, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
NMTC HONORS RDECOM PROFESSIONALS EDGEWOOD, Md. The Northeastern Maryland Technology Council honored RDECOM professionals from the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and the Army Research Laboratory for their STEM efforts at their Visionary Awards banquet Feb. 28. NMTC recognized ECBC Technical Director Joe Weinand for his leadership role in guiding and promoting STEM efforts. Mary Doak, program manager for community and educational outreach at ECBC, was recognized as an innovator. Sandy Young, materials engineer and program manager for student STEM outreach at ARL, was recognized as a role model and mentor.
RDECOM SOLDIER RE-ENLISTS ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Staff Sgt. Steven McGloin re-enlists in a ceremony at RDECOM headquarters Feb. 26. McGloin is the administrative noncommissioned officer for Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie.
Jill Smith, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center technical director, speaks March 12 at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. (U.S. Army photo)
HUGHES LEADS A CIVIL WAR DISCUSSION ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Brig. Gen. Daniel P. Hughes, RDECOM deputy commanding general, leads a discussion March 28 on the Civil War. The discussion, which was open to RDECOM employees, focused on the Confederate Armys decision to invade Pennsylvania and the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. WARNING: THIFT SAVINGS PLAN APP The Apple App store offered a free TSP iPhone App that asked for account login information. This app is not being offered through the TSP and TSP doesnt recommend using this application to access your account. Providing this information may result in a security risk to your account There are a number of mobile applications that reference the Thrift Savings Plan and may prompt you for your TSP account credentials. These applications are not sponsored by the TSP. The TSP cannot endorse any information or advice provided by third-party applications. More important, providing your TSP account credentials to third-party applications may jeopardize the security of your account: https://www.tsp.gov/ whatsnew/plan/planNews.shtml#iPhoneApp
became the director of CERDEC, which has more than 2,200 employees. But her career in the DoD hasnt come without its challenges, she noted. Smith attributed her successful path to having an understanding partner. Her husband of 35 years helped Smith achieve a worklife balance suitable to their family and two daughters. Shes also learned how to build upon her strengths as a technical and analytical person, and was open to learning from those who came before her. Though a mentorship does not need to be formal, she said, it played a big part in her DoD career. When nobody tells you anything, youre probably not being mentored, Smith said. She encouraged the men and women in the room to embrace feedback that will help excel individual skills, but also participate in training programs with peers. The 2013 Womens History Month theme is Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination, which celebrates womens contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and the lasting impacts women have had in shaping American culture.
A screenshot from the virtual environment on which the Army and Intel are collaborating.
By Michelle Milliner ARL Simulation and Training Technology Center Public Affairs
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The U.S. Army and Intel Corporation entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to collaborate and optimize research in virtual training environments. Intel researchers have been developing technologies to scale user interaction, and they intend to focus on technologies to scale realism and immersion. As platform technology providers, they partner with application developers to ensure technologies address the right problem. Collaboration with the Simulation and Training Technology Center offers an opportunity to work directly with users of the technology. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands virtual reality experts are part of the U.S. Army Research Laboratorys Human Research Engineering Directorate of the STTC here.
goal of full-spectrum operations during mission rehearsal exercises. This partnership is the first step to show that more than 1,000 users can operate in the same space and at the same time to achieve a realistic mission. HRED leads two ARL major laboratory programs: human sciences and simulation and training technology. The goal of the Army is to research, develop, mature and transition innovative training technologies that increase Warfighter battlefield readiness and performance. The centers research focus is technology for the future -- what are the requirements in five to 10 years? The center is actively pursuing analysis and development in the areas of intelligent tutors, immersive learning environments, human agent teaming, dismounted Soldier training, virtual world technologies, mobile applications -- like apps -and medical simulators and simulations. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://1.usa.gov/ WZ7anw
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts speaks to members of the workforce at Natick Soldier Systems Center. Looking on are Dr. Jack Obusek, Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center technical director, and Massachusetts State Sen. Karen Spilka. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
NATICK, Mass. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts visited the Natick Soldier Systems Center March 15 as the installation braced for the impact of across-the-board budget cuts, known as sequestration. In her first visit to Natick, Warren, who was elected to the Senate in November 2012, received an overview of the work done here for service members, learned about Gender Neutral Standards being developed for combat positions, was introduced to female body armor, inspected high-performance fibers, toured the Ouellette Thermal Test Facility, and met with the media. Thank you for taking care of all three of my brothers. They were all in the military, Warren said. You outfitted them and took care of them. And I just want to say, years later, Im grateful for that. Thank you for all you do all the time. A former Harvard Law School professor, Warren pointed out that she understood Naticks importance as a research facility. Ive been studying what you do from the outside, actually, for years, Warren said. Ive been an enthusiastic supporter for a long time. Youre a good partner to the American people. I want to be a good partner to you. Dr. Jack Obusek, NSSC senior manager
and technical director of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, told Warren of the installations unique facilities. Were going to give you a snapshot of what we do here for our nations most precious defense asset -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, Obusek said. The female body armor was named one of Time Magazines Best Inventions of the Year 2012. The new armor was designed to offer better protection and to prevent bruised hip bones that women experienced when wearing improved outer tactical vests meant to fit smaller men. At the Thermal Test Facility, Warren witnessed a four-second flash-fire done with eight burners on a full-scale, instrumented manikin. The TTF tests the flame resistance of uniform and equipment materials. Youre saving lives here, said Warren to the TTF staff. Natick, which opened in 1954, has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.5 billion. The only active-duty Army installation in New England, Natick is also reducing base operations funding by 30 percent, suspending overtime, placing severe restrictions on official travel, curtailing training and attendance at professional
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Envisioning next steps to further improve interoperability and reduce integration time
to add electronic equipment to vehicles to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth, as well as to counter constantly evolving threats. Through processes such as the Network Integration Evaluation and other rapid fielding initiatives, the Army has quickly introduced new command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare systems. However, these systems put a significant demand on the limited SWAP-C budgets of most military platforms, from tactical vehicles and aircraft to Soldiers themselves. Environmental constraints such as the theater of operations, types of threats, terrain and operational conditions limit the allowable SWAP-C for C4ISR/EW systems, even if Army platforms were able to evolve at the same rate as C4ISR/EW systems. What I am proposing is a new approach to designing C4ISR/EW systems on military platforms. Each platform requires mission equipment such as antennas, radio frequency amplifiers, transmitters and receivers, realtime processing resources, RF and data distribution networks, miscellaneous sensors, and user interfaces. In this approach, weve begun working with the platform owners and equipment developers to establish a suitable architecture that could leverage common software components and standard interfaces in a variety of ways through software to create C4ISR/EW applications. In this new approach, it is envisioned that military platforms of the future will have similar
characteristics to todays smartphones in that they will provide a wide variety of functions and capabilities on a single platform, using common components and interoperable software and hardware. This new approach is a natural but significant evolution of the Armys current COE implementation plan. It allows for common interfaces, hardware subcomponents, and software components to developers that are traditionally within the C4ISR/EW systems domain. Three key elements are required in order to realize this new approach: A modular open hardware architecture and associated standards that can support all required C4ISR/EW capabilities with significant room for growth. A modular open software architecture and associated software development tools and libraries sufficient to implement all required C4ISR/EW capabilities. Resource management tools and algorithms that enable multiple capabilities to share common hardware and software resources. EXPLOITING COMMONALITIES At first glance, C4ISR/EW systems, such as counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare, tactical communication, and position, navigation, and timing capabilities, may appear to have nothing in common. In reality, these systems exploit the electromagnetic spectrum and have similar architectures, which may include transmitters, receivers, processing units, and
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designed under a proprietary architecture, and designing a nonproprietary, open architecture that supports simultaneous usage of these systems poses a complex problem requiring further research and development. Few vendors have entered this arena because of these challenges. No vendor has met the end-state objective of a fully integrated solution. While not the ultimate answer, the SCA provides an excellent starting point for next-generation C4ISR/EW capabilities. Modifications will be required to support simultaneous C4ISR/EW operations, and EW and ISR. CONCLUSION The Army faces not only technical challenges when implementing this new approach in developing C4ISR/EW capabilities, but also acquisition and cost challenges. Individual systems can no longer be developed in isolation. PMs and PEOs will have to work together from the start of development through testing, fielding, and maintaining in the field to ensure that all capabilities meet their requirements. As an alternative, the PEO/PM structure could be modified to support the new architectural approach. In addition to being a structural paradigm shift, this new approach will entail an initial startup cost that is greater than that of a traditional program of record because of the requirement for common hardware and software architectures and new development tools. The savings over time will more than outweigh the startup cost, however. Significant cost savings exist in the amount of inventory for maintenance and repair, field support, and potentially other areas. This is in addition to the efficiency of building compatibility and interoperability into C4ISR/EW capabilities from the start, which avoids having to fix compatibility and interoperability issues after fielding. Finally, modular open hardware and software will enable rapid upgrades to existing capabilities, as well as the insertion of new capabilities that may not even have been considered. The next generation of COE will reflect a paradigm shift in C4ISR/EW capability development. Implementing this new approach would pose significant challenges, but with the growing reliance of our Army on technology, can we really afford not to continue to push the status quo and advance COE? For information on the CERDEC perspective on COE, call the CERDEC Corporate and Public Communication Office at (443) 861-7566. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://www.cerdec.army.mil
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Qudsia Quraishi, Ph.D., works in the laser cooled atoms laboratory as she explores the future applications for quantum sensing.(U.S. Army photos by Doug Lafon)
Quantum sensing using laser-cooled atoms shows promise for Army navigation, detection
By Jenna Brady ARL Public Af fairs ADELPHI, Md. U.S. Army Research Laborator y scientists in the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate are exploring the field of quantum sensing and are discovering ways in which the Army can benefit from innovations that were once thought impossible. According to Qudsia Quraishi, Ph.D., a physicist in the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, or SEDD, who is working at the forefront of quantum sensing research at ARL, classical physics can limit the per formance of precision sensing technologies such as time-keeping, imaging and navigation. Precision imaging is typically limited by the dif fraction limit of light, Quraishi said. Precision navigation for vehicles or planes has limits ranging from thermal fluctuations to say, GPS - denied environments, and conventional iner tial navigation systems have essentially reached a per formance plateau, Quraishi said. Quraishi said that next- generation systems for precision sensing involve quantum sensors, which are based on laser-cooled atoms, and could potentially of fer tremendous gains in per formance. Laser-cooled atoms are small yet coherent, meaning that one can measure a change in gravity or magnetic field, are extremely precise, and are highly sensitive. In addition, quantum sensors rely on a phenomenon not seen in conventional sensors, which is known as entanglement. Entanglement is a quantum phenomenon that links one quantum system to another in such a way that a measurement of one system af fects
the results of the other system, even if these systems are physically separated, Quraishi said. These two quantum systems go through slightly dif ferent environments and inter fering them with one another gives information about the environment of one path verses the other. Such atom inter ferometers can in theor y provide orders of magnitude better per formance than conventional technologies, Quraishi said. An atom inter ferometer is an inter ferometer based on exploiting the wave character of atoms, which is a quantum phenomenon. One established method for navigation is a Sagnac inter ferometer, which uses coherent light, such as that emitted by a laser. A beam of light is split and the two beams then follow a trajector y in opposite directions to provide the reference for an
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Qudsia Quraishi, Ph.D., undergraduate student Matt Bahnsen, and Patricia Lee, Ph.D, are part of a group of researchers at U.S. Army Research Laboratory that is are exploring the field of quantum sensing.
a dedicated team to operate, Quraishi said. The first step on the path to a fieldready device is an integrated and compact setup, and atom-chips are an excellent platform for compact sensors. Atoms confined on atom-chips are a robust and cost-ef fective system. Modern approaches to quantum sensors now include smaller, integrated devices like the atom-chip setup at ARL. ARL scientists work involves demonstrating quantum sensing in this small-scale platform, which includes atom-chips, and focuses on quantum sensing for a long-term vision of devices that can be placed in vehicles or carried by individual Soldiers. The first and only cold atom setup for ARL, which has seen great interest from major universities all over the world, is located at ARLs Adelphi Laborator y Center, where all ARL exploration of quantum sensing is currently done inhouse by physicists in the Cold Atom Optics Group, including Quraishi. Though atom-chips are an attractive platform, additional work needs to be done to execute the long-term program vision, as the size and complexity of the system often directly corresponds to its measurement sensitivity. The first goal would be to create a table top compact sensor that could be used for Army installations or in tanks and planes, and the long-term goal would be for Soldiers to be able to carr y
compact sensors in their backpacks for precise navigation in GPS - denied environments, Quraishi said. ARL scientists are also exploring the field of atomtronics, and according to Quraishi, atomtronics is basically taking what you can do with electronics and doing them with atoms. Atomtronic devices are still in their infancy, but could be used in future applications such as ultra-cold atomtronic circuits to be used with quantum computers. Ultra-cold atomtronic circuits would allow for the more coherent, quick and secure exchange and flow of information. Just like with the classic computer though, scientists cannot imagine all of the possibilities of the quantum computer, which is still ver y much in its infancy as well. There is much to be explored on what Quraishi calls the quantum horizon, and those explorations could be vital to our Soldiers on the battlefield and have the potential to forever change the way they execute their missions. The experiments with cold atoms at ARL are led by Patricia Lee, Ph.D., of SEDD. She is suppor ted by Quraishi, SEDD post- docs Violeta Prieto, Ph.D., Jason Alexander, Ph.D., Dan Stack, Ph.D., and SEDD undergraduate students Matt Bahnsen and Ian Grissom. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://1.usa.gov/127ojvG
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Barbara Daley, Aircrew Build to Order Meal Module project manager, pictured with two of the ABOMM prototypes designed by the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centers Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate. (U.S. Army photos by David Kamm)
By Alexandra Foran NSRDEC Public Affairs NATICK, Mass. Eating on the go can be tough, especially when your job requires you to fly an aircraft for the U.S. military. The Aircrew Build to Order Meal Module, designed by the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centers Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate will make refueling these aviators a lot easier. The Combat Feeding Directorate, or CFD, has conducted two field evaluations of the prototype ABOMM in-flight meal, first with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska, and then with the 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, at the Yakima (Wash.) Training Center. Natick received repeated requests from various aviators who were looking for a
defense units. It would require no preparation -- heating or re-hydration -- or utensils, is nutritious, generates minimal waste, and is more cost effective. This tall order involves a simple solution: re-packaging. The ABOMM will be comprised of food components already being procured for other ration systems like the MRE and First Strike Ration, which means no new product development, shelf-life studies, or nutritional analyses are needed. This project has minimal (research and development) associated with it, Daley said. We are simply trying to find the right combination of existing eat-on-the-go lunchtype items that will appeal to aircrews, and the right way to package them for use during their typical missions. During the Fort Richardson field test, conducted in November 2012, four prebundled ABOMM in-flight test meals (packaged either in a zip-top bag or shrinkwrapped package), along with two Grab-N-
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Air Crew Build to Order Meal Module prototypes that were field tested by the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Data from this testing showed that the zip-top bag was better than the shrink-wrapped bag because it is easy to open and reusable.
Go meals, were evaluated. The Grab-N-Go meals consisted of shipping cases where a variety of food items were packed loosely to give study participants the ability to make their own choices as to which food items they would carry with them. A group of 20 to 50 aviators consumed either one pre-bundled ABOMM in-flight meal or one Grab-N-Go meal per day during the seven-day testing period. Aviators filled out acceptance questionnaires each day. We were trying to identify the best packaging configuration, Daley said. The Grab-N-Go concept was developed to see if aircrews were interested in having cases of different meal components available to them on the flight deck, so they could open, pick from, and place their selections into a ziptop bag. Offering the Grab-N-Go option helped reinforce for the CFD why field testing with customers is so important. While the aircrews liked the idea of bundling their own to-go meal with four to five different
components, they realized it wouldnt work out well in combat due to the potential for early depletion of the more popular items, Daley said. Data on the pre-bundled meals also showed that the zip-top bag was preferred over the shrink-wrapped bag, as it is easier to open, resealable and reusable. In January 2013, for a seven-day testing period, the second field test was conducted in Yakima with a group of approximately eight to 10 aviators per day. Four varieties of pre-bundled ABOMMs, composed of easyto-eat, shelf-stable sandwiches and snacktype items packaged into a zip-top bag, were evaluated. Each prototype meal evaluated provided approximately 960 calories and weighed approximately 0.83 pounds (377 grams), Daley said. Aviators again filled out daily acceptance questionnaires after eating the test meals. This test data is currently being analyzed by the CFD as well as supporting researchers from Naticks Consumer Research Team.
We received a lot of positive feedback on the compactness of these meals, with users stating that its ideal for use in small cockpits and also fits well in their map cases, Daley said. Essential characteristics for the final ABOMM design will consider ease-ofuse, acceptability, nutrition, weight, cube, packaging, packaging waste, eat-out-ofhand convenience, overall utility, unit cost and final case configuration and assembly. Later in 2013, when all user test data is consolidated and analyzed, results and final recommendations will be presented to the Joint Services for a formal fielding decision. If approved, the CFD will develop and transition ABOMM specifications and other documentation to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to aid in their procurement of the ABOMM. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://1.usa.gov/X8jOlA
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Auburn University mascot Aubie learns how to hand-launch an RQ-11A Raven with engineer Daniel Hiatt, holding a Puma, during a 2012 visit to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. (U.S. Army photo by Merv Brokke)
to design to the harsh and rugged demands that are placed on these systems. At the end of the five-year EPA, the university will return the hardware to the Army. Our goal is to have new low-cost technology ideas coming back to AMRDEC for future systems. We are taking small steps in that direction and weve got a long way to go before we will realize that goal, Auman said. While its not called out in the EPA, it is my personal hope that the schools will use the Raven hardware to develop a form, fit, function, and communication solutions for a host of sensors applications. When someone comes to AMRDEC with a new UAS sensor payload, I believe we should be positioned to partner with them to assist with payload integration and flight tests performance evaluation. We could develop special sensors to look for a host of things, so that when the next natural disaster occurs we could send in support teams to search for stranded survivors, hazardous leaks from industrial sites, or a variety of other things. I believe that would be a great product that AMRDEC could provide to PM UAS and the nation. RELATED LINKS Online: http://bit.ly/TnDs6m
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The Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory is integrated into South Dakota State Universitys Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, and joined the Food Emergency Response Network in 2004. (Courtesy photo)
Ivermectin compound was not still present. The anti-parasitic agent is widely used as insecticides in agriculture, gardens and veterinary practices. When exposed to unsafe levels of the chemical, humans may develop mydriasis, depression, coma, tremors, ataxia, stupor, vomiting and drooling. After two weeks of testing, CBARR did not find any hazardous levels of Ivermectin in the meat samples. A lot of chemistry laboratories that have such a high sample throughput usually dont have the time for some of these more unique cases, Ruesch said. ECBC really went out of their way to help us out. A lot of places just didnt have the time or the qualified staff available to investigate that method and put it into place. Nam-Phuong Nguyen, CBARR senior chemist, was excited to take on the task. Based on previously proven USDA methods and the work conducted with raw milk samples, Nguyen developed and verified the appropriate method for detecting the presence of Ivermectin in the ground beef product sample provided by SDSU. After we received the samples, I applied my research to develop the analytical methods, Nguyen said. Nguyen had previous experience creating and verifying testing methods, an invaluable resource when conducting this type of work with a quick turnaround time. According to Nguyen, other projects tend to take longer to complete because they typically involve validating another scientists methods. But because Nguyen had designed the test methods for the FERN project herself, there was only one matrix and one analysis that needed to be done. Before working on this project for SDSU, CBARR had done work on a food project for the USDA where we were asked to validate their developing method of detecting three
compounds of interest in various food matrices, including orange juice, apple juice, egg yolk, egg white, whole milk, two percent milk, hot dog and ground beef, and deli turkey, Nguyen said. Although the two projects were seemingly different, the same concepts, with respect to the development and validation of methods, were applied. Out of nearly 10 laboratories across the country who responded, CBARR was the only one awarded the work. CBARR was accepted into FERN as a chemical, biological and radiological testing laboratory in January 2009, and has performed method equivalency testing for biological analysis with food matrices for other FERN partners. The work with SDSU marks the first time CBARR has expanded its FERN efforts to include chemical testing. ADRDL is integrated into SDSUs Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, and joined FERN in 2004. ADRDL is one of fewer than 40 veterinary diagnostic laboratories accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. It is also an integral member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network that helps detect nationally significant animal diseases like avian influenza. ECBC is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, and the partnership with SDSU highlights each organizations commitment to detect agents of food-borne illness, and respond to emergencies involving the contamination of food. The inter-agency participation within the FERN structure enhances the networks ability to form, develop and operate across the country on complex issues involving the nations food supply. RELATED LINKS ECBC: https://www.ecbc.army.mil
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By David McNally RDECOM Public Affairs ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Peoples desire for more information and entertainment has driven exponential increases in the popularity of social media. The Department of Defense released an official social media policy Feb. 25, 2010. In the years since, RDECOM and many other military units established online presences. The social media policy said that DoD computers on the nonclassified network, known as the NIPRNET, would have open access to sites like Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Under the policy, open and consistent access is offered across the board. Many organizations find it convenient to push out information quickly to a broad audience. The medium offers many advantages over a weekly newspaper, or even competing in an overflowing e-mail inbox. Most RDECOM organizations have established social media identities through Facebook and Twitter. Many share photos through Flickr and videos on YouTube. Measuring success in social media is a challenge. While its easy to see how many followers an organization may have, likes are often ambiguous, according to social media marketing experts. A like doesnt signify a change in behavior, or even a willingness to take action, writes social media expert Mark Goode, in a tweet to RDECOM. Regardless, numbers are an indication of engagement, and RDECOM has seen a bump in its numbers recently. With Facebook likes approaching 5,000 and the Twitter following close to 4,000, RDECOM is tracking a rapid increase. This may be in response to a new social media strategy. RDECOM and its key leaders are engaged on Facebook and Twitter seven days a week now from morning to evening. Links encompass news and information about science, technology and engineering. Tweets and posts are augmented by random themes that may last two or three days. One recent topic was #bodyarmor. Others were were #graphene, #3Dprinting and #invisibility. Hashtags are a rally point where social media users include the topic name in their comments or links. Clicking on the terms gives the user a link to information on that topic. We hope to advance the conversation about Army technologies, inform the public about Army initiatives and showcase the work of the Army technology team, said Joseph Ferrare, RDECOM public affairs officer.
RDECOM and many of its suborganizations are engaging daily on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
Scattered throughout the links to various science and technology news, RDECOM inserts links to stories it produces, like the latest research at Natick Labs, or the Army Research Laboratory. The process starts with a story and image on the official Army homepage. Social media echoes the message and offers opportunities for interaction and collaboration. We view social networking as the driving force behind major changes in modern communications, Ferrare said. Were building a strong community of fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter, and posting an enormous number of public images and videos to Flickr and YouTube. For a command that is at the forefront of technology, this is a must, Ferrare said. Not only are we supporting a generation of Soldiers who are comfortable on these sites, we recruit from that same generation to fill vacancies in our command. The majority of our 15,000 people are civilian scientists and engineers. We have to be where they are. Being where the audiences are is at the core of the social media phenomenon for many organizations. It means more people gathering information from alternative online sources in a dramatic shift away from post newspapers. The immediacy of posting images and stories during an event is an unmistakable advantage, Ferrare said. Strategic communications are vital to our success in supporting Soldiers. All Americans need to know were doing everything possible to make Soldiers strong and America safe, and social media offers the level of transparency they deserve. Producing good content is the key to success, Ferrare said.
You have to produce compelling content or no one is going to bother becoming a fan or follower, Ferrare said. We hope to highlight what RDECOM is doing to make Soldiers stronger through technology, but we have to do it within what have become the accepted rules for using those media. With the current trend and trajectory of social media followers, officials hope compelling content meets the scrutiny of the next generation. This generation is the technology generation; technology drives their lives, Ferrare said. This is also the generation destined to interact with each other in new ways. Whether we communicate in this realm is not the question; it is how we adapt our workflow to make it happen. It will happen. RDECOM ON TWITTER http://twitter.com/RDECOM http://twitter.com/DaleOrmond http://twitter.com/CSMBeharie http://twitter.com/ARDEC http://twitter.com/ArmyResearchLaboratory http://twitter.com/CERDEC http://twitter.com/EdgewoodChemBio http://twitter.com/NatickLabs http://twitter.com/TARDEC_pao RDECOM ON FACEBOOK http://facebook.com/RDECOM http://facebook.com/MrDaleOrmond http://facebook.com/LebertBeharie http://facebook.com/RDECOM.ARDEC http://facebook.com/ArmyResearchLaboratory http://facebook.com/CERDEC http://facebook.com/EdgewoodChemBioCenter http://facebook.com/TARDEC
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Paul Conroy from the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate reads the Declaration of Independence to the fifth-grade class to help give the children a better understanding of it. (U.S. Army photo by Joyce Conant)
ARL employees support Read Across America Day at local elementary school
By Joyce Conant ARL Public Affairs ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Employees from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory supported Churchville Elementary School, who along with the National Education Association, celebrated Read Across America Day by reading stories to children in grades one through five on March 1. In 1997, NEA pushed for a special day to celebrate reading throughout the United States. This idea proved to be a popular one so it was not long before the first Read Across America Day was held on March 2, 1998. This nationwide observance coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss (Geisel), an American writer best known for writing childrens books. Some of his books include Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Cat in the Hat. Churchville Elementary School provided readers who wanted to dress up with hats and other Dr. Seuss-related costumes to wear while reading. Volunteers were told that they could bring a favorite book to read or one would be provided. They each read for 20-30 minutes. Paul Conroy from the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate read to the fifth-grade class, which was also his sons class. Conroy decided to read the Declaration of Independence to help give the children a better understanding of it. He asked the students questions before reading it to see how much they knew in advance. Angelique Scharine from the Human Research and Engineering Directorate read to students in the secnd grade. She read books such as Fox and Sox, Make up Mess, and Im so Embarrassed by
childrens author Robert Munsch. Scharine, who was very animated during each of her readings, kept the children entertained. Its always great to have someone come in from the community to share and read to the students, said Danielle Carter, second grade teacher. Another ARL employee who read to the students was Matthew Floros from Vehicle Technology Directorate who read in the afternoon to the second grade students. Sheryl Coleman, program specialist, who helped organize the event said, ARL employees each year take the time out of their busy schedules to make this a successful program. School officials said they are always thankful for the number of ARL participants. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/ZpX5Qs
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Josh Doyle and Chris Rosema, missile aerodynamicists at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, describe a missile vortex cloud model developed at AMRDEC. (U.S. Army photo by Ryan Keith)
computational fluid dynamics for the empiri cal component of the model and then implementing into Missile DATCOM for the first time, Rosema said. This new capability provides a more accurate representation of the vortices cumulative aerodynamic effects on downstream control surfaces and ultimately, missile flight. The incorporation of this vortex cloud model in the next version of Missile DATCOM represents a potential cost and schedule savings; the new vortex models really aid in the design process, Rosema said. The more accurate code can lead to fewer design iterations and reduce the need for the costly CFD analysis and wind tunnel testing conducted during the latter stages of design. Use of the improved Missile DATCOM may result in faster, more affordable development of missile systems and has the potential to benefit systems such as the Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar Program Directorate Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative and the AMRDEC-developed Extended Area Protection System. RELATED LINKS Online: http://bit.ly/TnDs6m
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their own fixes without the necessary expertise, materials or equipment, DeStephano said. Out here, if there is no one to provide the work or resources, [Soldiers] work around it, he said. A lot of times they get so used to doing this, they dont even know where to turn. The four RFAST-C members first traveled to the compound and performed a site survey. Roberts said he used the software ProEngineer at the PIF to develop models. The 1-9 Cav Soldiers came to the RFAST-C PIF to vet the models and prototypes before production started. The 1-9 Cav provided a welding machine and a Soldier to perform welding. Spetla said the team developed camaraderie with the Soldiers working on the project. The face-to-face interaction with Soldiers is a benefit not typically available back home. Even though in the States Im helping Soldiers, here, I see their faces and talk to them. The day of installation was the best day Ive had since Ive been here, he said. Because of engineering limitations in a combat zone, resourcefulness is a necessity. Here in Bagram, you have to use what youve got. We dont always have everything we need on hand. We went on a reconnaissance mission on the base, Spetla said. Sometimes its like treasure-hunting. Its part of the way of life here -- people helping, giving and taking. We have no Home Depot. DeStephano said another challenge was the compounds remote location. Unlike a modification to a ground vehicle that is brought to the PIF, the group did not have access to the site after the initial day of taking measurements. This was different from most projects that weve worked on. We used our existing knowledge to get a working design to fit in the pro cess. We had to adjust it when we went into the field, DeStephano said. McGauley said the tight deadlines and restrictions on equipment and materials, compared with those typically available in the Armys research centers in the United States, forces the team to develop new ways of thinking. This job pushes everybody to their limit and then forces them to go beyond that limit, finding new ways to do things that perhaps they hadnt seen or thought of before. RFAST-C is a force multiplier for the units on the ground here in Afghanistan, he said. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/Z9955k
Jon-Luke DeStefano (RFAST-C equipment operator) and Capt. Mitchell Monette (1-9 Cav officer-in-charge of force-protection improvements) work on security infrastructure enhancements at an Army combat outpost in Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo)
The project included designing, constructing and installing a metal door and frame, observation screens to allow movement in the compound without being monitored, and retaining devices to increase wall height using sandbags. Security Forces Advise and Assist Team 8 members requested the modifications in early January. The RFAST-C installed the frame, door and observation screen framework Feb. 16. RFAST-C Director Michael Anthony, who works for RDECOMs CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, said the teams rapidly developed prototypes would not be possible without being on-site with the Soldiers. Thats the benefit of having a forward de ployed team of Army civilians who are experts in their field and can quickly build prototypes, Anthony said. Being in theater allows us to assess the situation to develop a rapid, engineered solution. We get immediate feedback and can adjust the effort where needed. It saves time and valuable resources. McGauley said RFAST-Cs capabilities enable solutions not found elsewhere. RDECOM established RFAST-C in 2011. Its a reputation that RFAST-C has developed here at Bagram Airfield. They heard about us from another unit, he said. Because Soldiers are not accustomed to having the support of an engineering team embedded in a combat zone, they often attempt
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Maryland students explore science and technology at the 2013 Maryland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Innovative STEM Conference in Linthicum Heights, Md., March 8. (U.S. Army photos by Tom Faulkner)
These kids live in a technological world. Its so important that all students have an understanding of STEM -- how it works and impacts their present and future.
Dr. Carl White Months of work developing their scientific topics culminate with this
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(Upper left) Dr. Carl White is associate dean of Morgan State Universitys School of Engineering and director of Maryland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. (Upper right) Americas next cancer research pioneer, space explorer or cyber security whiz could be one of the Maryland highschool students who presented their research at JSHS. (Lower left) Morgan State engineering students serve as volunteers during the event. (Lower right) Gabriel Grell, a junior at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, used his internship at NASAs Space Telescope Science Institute to delve into research on low redshift galaxies.
attach their name to. Studying science in college was an essential step to his career as an Army officer, Richburg said. His academic studies translated into real-world applications as a Soldier. Once I graduated and went into the chemical field, I had a chance to understand the effects of biological and chemical agents, he said. Those building blocks helped me understand how the hard sciences were a foundation for me. If I didnt have hard sciences, I would have never understood those things during my 24 years in the militar y. Vinay Siriam, a junior at Poolesville High Schools Science, Math and Computer Science Magnet Program, completed his research in an area with national visibility - - Internet routing security. He
hopes to attend MIT or Carnegie Mellon University to study computer science or electrical engineering for a career at Google or IBM. From the beginning of middle school, my magnet program offers accelerated courses in computer science. I got interested in computer science from an early age, he said. Cyber security is ver y prominent, so I wanted to do something in that area. Richburg emphasized that STEM subjects provide a solid foundation and are impor tant for all students. STEM programs are for ever y student to get that foundation for the sciences. The sciences are invaluable, he said. RELATED LINKS More: http://www.jshs.org/
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This rendering proposes a virtual window screen across the rear ramp of an armored vehicle. It gives Soldiers riding in the vehicle a critical picture of their surroundings. (Sketches by U.S. Army TARDEC designer James Scott)
We are trying to move the technology toward the idea of the vehicle as a member of the squad.
Andrew Kerbrat We integrated a high-definition camera onto the rear of a Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and then integrated a commercial 46-inch LED display into the ramp, explained TARDEC Engineer Andrew Kerbrat. The video feed from the camera appears on the display, which gives Soldiers the ability to
see outside the vehicle with the ramp closed. This visual situational awareness could be a game-changer in how the Soldier proceeds out of the vehicle. To generate ideas for the Virtual window design, the project team organized an Innovations Solutions training event consisting of design students and professors from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, plus Army Warrant Officers from the U.S. Army Ordnance School who provided their experience and technical knowledge to the students who created numerous sketches for the virtual window concept. A second Innovations Solutions Workshop is being planned for this May. As a follow-up to the workshop, the team has already started working on Virtual Window 2, which expands the systems capabilities and will be integrated into and
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TARDEC Engineers John-Taylor Smith and Shawn Keller test the demonstrator at the Detroit Arsenal. (U.S. Army photo)
Pull-down screens showing other perspectives outside the vehicle may be included in the Virtual Window 2 phase design.
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Gerry Darsch, the longtime director of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centers Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate, stepped aside March 10. Darsch oversaw the development of many products that provide nutrition and comfort to todays warfighters. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
Fix it, Darsch recalled Powell telling him. I said, Sir, got it, Darsch said. We then switched our business philosophy into warfighter recommended, warfighter tested and warfighter approved. Gone, said Darsch, were such delicacies as the ever-popular ham and chicken loaf and the hot dogs that were often referred to as the four fingers of death. In their place came menu items that warfighters actually wanted. At the end of the day, what we do is we fuel the Defense Departments most flexible and adaptable weapons platform, and that is the individual warfighter, Darsch said. And without that fuel, that military machine comes to a grinding halt. For all intents and purposes, if theyre not going to eat it, then you have diminished their effectiveness on the battlefield. So (we) need to be sure that we give them the nutritional armor that they need to optimize cognitive and physical performance. Our goal at the end of the day is to help ensure that our warfighter will outlast any adversary, any place, any time. Today, that fuel includes the First Strike Ration, designed to be eaten on the go on todays asymmetric battlefield and built around shelf-stable pocket sandwiches. Another innovation was the Unitized Group RationExpress, which brings hot food to warfighters in remote locations by airdrop rather than convoy. It is taking trucks off the road, in some cases, and keeping warfighters out of harms way, said Darsch of the UGR-E. And weve
heard that from warfighters. To find out what service members thought of the First Strike Ration and the UGR-E, Darsch and deputy director Kathy Evangelos traveled to the CENTCOM area of responsibility in 2005 and asked warfighters from Iraq and Afghanistan. Darsch said the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. You will never please all of us all the time, but youre pleasing most of us most of the time, Darsch said they told him. Think of Easter dinner at your house, and youve got 20 relatives ... around the table. It would be highly unusual that everybody at that table enjoyed everything that was put in front of them. Its just not going to happen. In a March 2012 visit to Natick, Secretary of the Army John McHugh lauded the work done by Darsch and his Combat Feeding team. Ive spent a lot of time ripping open MREs (meals, ready-to-eat) over the years, as a member of Congress and now Secretary of the Army, eating with Soldiers forward deployed, McHugh said. You dont think a lot about the work and research and the analysis that goes into making sure that were providing something the Soldier wants to eat. You can pack all the nutrients you want into a pouch. If they dont find it very palatable, theyre not going to eat it. So its not just understanding what the caloric count is in a particular dish, its not just understanding how many vitamins and minerals are in it, but also the palatability of it. Darsch knows that some might think of
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By Alexandra Foran NSRDEC Public Affairs NATICK, Mass. The Expeditionary Basing and Collective Protection Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center works with Soldiers to help erect and provide shelters, and sometimes works alongside them when both civilian and military personnel are deployed to countries such as Afghanistan. Living a Soldiers life, even for a little while, is invaluable, said Melvin Jee, with Expeditionary Basing and Collective Protection Directorates, or XB/CPs, Tactical Shelters Team leader. I dont know of a group at Natick, as small as we are, that has spent more time in the war zone. That really helps with customer service, because nobodys more willing to help a Soldier than another Soldier. People overseas recognize that type of commitment. Besides the Large Area Maintenance Shelters, or LAMS, that XB/CP has helped assemble, there are many other types of smaller shelters. Yet, the Army has bought hundreds of LAMS to be used in a variety of ways. Soldiers need places to work, they need places for their aircraft, and they need places to sleep sometimes; our shelters get used for everything, said Frank Murphy, an equipment specialist who has made a number of trips to Afghanistan. Often, these LAMS are used as aircraft shelters for helicopters and small aircraft as large as C-17s. LAMS have also become billeting tents, laundry rooms, dining facilities, office spaces, among other types of shelters. Our team offers pretty much the only technical expertise that the Army has on these things, Murphy said. So we track with their locations, we help get them fixed, we help put them up, and thats in addition to other tactical types including hard shelters and med centers that RDEC puts out there. Its quite a broad-based challenge. While set-up time is dependent on the workforce, the XB/CP team is able to assemble a LAMS system in seven to eight days depending on the size, modification and vendor. Their major focus, whether stateside or abroad, is serving their customer, the Soldier. We really try to tailor the service to the customer, Murphy said. Two of us will go to a site as technical helpers and help the Soldiers put them up so that we can teach the teachers. Ive worked with local Afghans
Large Area Maintenance Shelters, or LAMS, in use at an airfield in Afghanistan. Often, LAMS are used as aircraft shelters for helicopters and small aircraft as large as C-17s. LAMS have also become billeting tents, laundry rooms, dining facilities, office spaces, among other types of shelters. (U.S. Army photo by Frank Murphy)
to put them up in small, out-of-the-way camps. The XB/CP team at Natick has worked with Special Operations Command, logistics, and even Physical Readiness Training groups. Anyone who needs a place to work ends up going through or to XB/CP in some way. The Natick name is actually on the shelter canvases, and people have learned that that NAT initial represents Natick, said Murphy, and it has been to our benefit to be there and back these up. XB/CP also works on ways to improve shelters to find the right technology to suit Soldiers needs. Right now were trying to find a way to put a shelter over bomb dogs in Bagram, said Murphy, (to) keep them out of the weather. Theyre sitting out in 125 degrees in fur coats, and then theyll freeze in the winter, and theres been nothing up until this time to shelter those dogs. The team at Natick helps Soldiers get tools to install shelters, as well, and XB/ CP even helped build Afghanistans largest gymnasium using LAMS. All the things XB/CP does are to help put a roof over Soldiers heads. Without these shelters, its an ungodly and unforgiving environment, according to Murphy. One of the shelters provides cover for large vehicles in Kandahar, which has a
harsh environment. Besides the dust in the air, there is the oppressive heat which resides at a normal temperature of 125 degrees with wind, Murphy said. It is a tough take to keep a machine and systems clean. Our mission is to keep sustaining the Soldier, Murphy said. This is what Soldiers face every day you know, thats really the point. Were not doing anything differently than a kid whos enlisted is doing. Theyre taking all the risks, theyre going outside the wire, theyre over there for a year and its a small thing to do to be able to share part of their world and make their lives a little bit more comfortable. So that keeps the mission fresh in my mind, trying to make somebodys life easier somewhere down the line. XB/CP has not only civilian personnel, but also National Guard members on its team. Through its rotational system, many team members have had the opportunity to travel, assist and meet Soldiers while doing their job at Natick and abroad. Whatever we go through is nothing compared to what the Soldier does, Murphy said. The kids inside (the shelters) dont know that Natick put together pretty much everything there. They just know that it works. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/ZqW76v
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Shubham Chandra (left) and Ben Williams of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centers Systems Equipment and Engineering Team, Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate, developed a system to provide cold and hot water to Soldiers in the field and keep it that way for days. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
features are especially important when used in a vehicle, where storage space is extremely limited. According to Chandra, Combat Feeding has sent approximately 1,300 bags to service members in Afghanistan. They loved them, Williams said. They wanted more, so we kept sending them. Its one of those little things that didnt require millions of dollars. It was developed on a minimal budget (and had) a big impact. There was even an unforeseen use for the bags. They can put a cap on it and use it as a shower, Chandra said. The bags can be connected to the beverage cooling unit, or BCU, which can cool a standard five-gallon container full of water at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit in 25 minutes. The standalone, 40-pound unit can be plugged into any tactical vehicle or a standard wall outlet. Its super fast, super efficient, Williams said. Now you have flexibility. You can cool water on demand in a standard water can or the new collapsible bags and then transfer that water to a personal hydration system via the BCU without spilling a drop. Obviously, there was a need in Iraq and Afghanistan for cold water, because theyre buying ice. Instead, you could just cool the water you have back down. Keeping water cool can be difficult in temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit as troops move around in tactical vehicles or on dismounted patrols. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration become formidable
foes in these environments. Williams solution was a new insulated bag, which is 50 percent lighter than the currently fielded version and provides twice the performance. The new insulated bag can keep a can of frozen water below 70 degrees for more than four days and hot water (180 degrees) unfrozen for five days in the most extreme ambient conditions. Its basically a backpack that you can put the standard five-gallon water can, the water bag, or a case of bottled water into, and you can carry it on your back, Williams said. So, once youve cooled your water with the BCU, you can take that water away and it will remain cold until you need it. This new design reduces the weight by over four pounds, keeps the cost the same, and increases the performance twofold. Together, the air-droppable bag, the beverage cooling unit, and the insulted bag provide a low-cost, effective system for delivering water to the most remote areas of the field and keeping that water cold or hot. People dont know about this, Williams said. If people in the field saw how it all works together, I think they would want it. Williams and Chandra did it all with one person in mind. The bottom line is it really helps the war fighter, Chandra said. Thats what were here for. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/127pYRW
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ECBC Communications ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Protective equipment is an essential part of any Warfighters uniform. During the Desert Storm and Desert Shield conflicts, the pro tective mask and hood that were part of the Mission Oriented Protective Posture presented comfort, thermal, thirst, bodily waste, and claustrophobia issues for flight crews. Every service across the Department of Defense was facing similar issues. In order to address these concerns the Joint Service Airmen Mask program was initiated. Within the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Centers Protection Engineering Division, Don Kilduff, the program manager for the JSAM Apache mask system, and Jon Sampson, the deputy for the JSAM Rotary Wing mask system, have been working on solutions to mitigate these issues by providing a new design that allows flight-crews to don and dock their masks in-flight in a matter of seconds without removing their helmets. This is accomplished by designing a removable face plate that can easily attach and detach from the hood. One way we illustrate the differences in the system to flight crews is we put one guy in a legacy system and another in the JSAM system and then order them pizza for lunch. The guy in the JSAM system can easily eat, Sampson said. This is important because the Warfighter has to wear these protective suits for four, six, or even eight hours at a time. Initially, JSAM was a single program to replace all airman masks. The basic challenge was that we started a joint mask program for a one-solution-fits-all application, but with more than 130 different platforms, five different helmets, and a variety of air-crew equipment it becomes difficult. Over time, we have split the JSAM program into five different systems to meet the needs of the airmen across the DoD, said Kilduff who has been a part of the program since its inception in 1999. When JSAM created an Apache program in 2007 there were some safe to fly issues with the mask and hood because the field of view was not better than the legacy system. Kilduff and his team made adjustments to the lens, completed fielding in 2009, produced the redesign to that in 2010, then finished fielding the redesign in 2012. Currently the team is working on the next iteration of the mask because the Apache helmet was redesigned. The new mask is anticipated to
Imagine, the Soldier is looking at a TV monitor in one eye and flying with the other, said Don Kilduff, the program manager for the JSAM Apache mask system. The crosshairs for the weapon are on that camera, but along the side of the screen is also flight symbology providing the Soldier with vital information. (U.S. Army photo)
be fielded in 2014. Imagine, the Soldier is looking at a TV monitor in one eye and flying with the other. The crosshairs for the weapon are on that camera, but along the side of the screen is also flight symbology providing the Solider with vital information. The changes to the mask optimized the Soldiers ability to see the siting system by maximizing the field of view, Kilduff said, explaining the lens readjustment. For JSAM Rotary Wing, the challenges surround the need to integrate the mask for all aircrafts in all services across DoD. The services and aircraft do not all use the same systems, which presents many integration challenges. In 2007 we had to re-baseline the design due to some deficiencies, for example the hood ring aperture was too large and the lens style was also providing some distortion during flight. So, we went back to the drawing board, and essentially shrank our hood ring apertures and changed out lenses, Sampson said. After making those changes, the team went through the requisite design, test, fix, test process. For this project that series has to be repeated for all of the services, each providing feedback based on its system. The team discovered some comfort issues with
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A new iPad application assists Warfighters training with the Husky Mounted Detection System, a kit that can detect explosive hazards when attached to the Husky vehicle. The upgraded training eliminates the risk of damaging equipment during training while still maintaining optimal educational effectiveness.
potential training product. We did and that turned out to be a huge success, said Kevin Wallace, Technology and Systems Integration Branch Chief. From there we ended up building 26 systems for JIEDDO. Currently we are building 29 additional systems and weve been tasked to build more, so its certainly taken off. After the initial 26 HMDSS kits were shipped to JIEDDO in January 2011, the ECBC engineers have continued to work on enhancements to the systems, to include ground tracking and software interface improvements. According to Wallace, as the project started to grow, the initial group needed to enlist the help of all the branches within ADM as well as some from outside the Division. Additional partners for the HMDSS include Letterkenny and Tobyhanna Army Depots. So far, the HMDSS is already fielded at 17 different locations, including three locations outside of the Continental United States, with the current project to go to 11 other CONUS locations. This was certainly a collaborative effort not only to create the initial product, but also to improve and sustain it in the future, Wallace said. I would call this a Division-wide effort, but we have also had help from others within ECBC, several
PMs, ATC, and industry partners. In addition to creating the physical training detector for the vehicle, the project was taken a step further with the development of an iPad application. The application brings all the same features of driving with the HMDSS to the iPad screen. The user simulates driving a vehicle and receiving alerts of potential threats. From there, the driver must determine a course of action to ensure safety. Additionally, the HMDSS application includes a narrated system overview, and a full user manual for the vehicle. The iPad application also includes an installation manual as well as simulations that are based on events that could actually happen. The manual allows Warfighters to have something light and easy to carry and refer to for questions while training, as well as having the ability to do refresher training on their own time on an iPad. Wallace said although the original intent was to create a training possibility, having the capabilities within ECBC allowed the group to explore additional options on the project, ultimately expanding the purpose. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/127qaki
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Tyler Brown, Ph.D. (left), of the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Centers Biomechanics Team, is studying Soldiers movements under different loads. Here, Pfc. Jeremy Vasquez, wearing a suit with sensors to give the researchers information on how the body is reacting, steps on a force plate as Meghan ODonovan monitors the activity. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
In Basic Training, said Vasquez, the biggest problem, I know, for me was the ruck marches and was getting used to that weight. Im a smaller guy, and when you get that weight on you, it limits you a lot. Vasquez said that he hopes his participation in the study will help Soldiers to cope with those loads and to stay healthy. Im really glad I was able to participate in it, because I feel like I did contribute and help future Soldiers, Vasquez added. The researchers expect that their data will show that Soldiers use different mechanics when carrying heavier loads. The idea is if you can anticipate or pre-plan a movement, youre going to perform it better, Brown said. Theyve shown that athletes, when they have to react to something, use different mechanics, postures, and they activate their muscles differently, and even without loads. Schiffman said a follow-up study is already planned. We, as researchers, want to make sure were documenting everything we can about how load affects human performance, Schiffman said. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/127qpMb
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fabric development of self-cleaning clothing. In making sure that our self-cleaning clothing does not attract dust, dirt, or get wet, is comfortable and durable to wear, and requires minimal or no laundering to stay clean, we have used many standard tests and also came up with many special non-standard tests and demonstrations, Truong said. This is because in certain scenarios such as testing with mud and dirt, there are no test standards out there for us to use. In 2011 the Luna self-cleaning clothing was produced using a commercial scale coating process, where 25 sets of clothing were subsequently fabricated using a 60-inch-wide omniphobic coated fabric. Twenty self-cleaning garments were field tested in June 2011 for 10 days; Soldiers wore their clothing for up to almost 15 hours each day. The results were very promising, Truong said. All of the 20 participating Soldiers said their garments shed water well to very well when assessing liquid repellency performance. Sixty-seven percent of the Soldiers said their garments shed oil well to very well. Sixty-nine percent said their Luna omniphobic treated ACU had improved their missions, and 73 percent said their suits should be adopted for use. Lunas omniphobic treated ACU fabric met all of Naticks performance goals for having high contact angle, moisture vapor permeability, laundering, wash durability, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, air permeability, and flexibility. After the field testing, the omniphobic coating technology was given Air Force Research Laboratorys only Outstanding Warfighting Transition Award. NSRDEC is now working with Luna to develop self-cleaning, water and liquid chemical super-shedding clothing that is also multifunctional. A field test of this special multifunctional omniphobic protective clothing will take place in fall 2013. In the next few years, you can expect to see self-cleaning clothing that will also be flame resistant and odor free, Truong said. These clothes will contain antimicrobial additives, which do not allow microbes to grow on the fabric. Someday, we will not have to clean our clothing as often or not at all, and our clothing will remain clean, odor-free, and keep us safe. The development, test, evaluation, and limited field demonstration of omniphobic coating technology have shown promise for its potential use as self-cleaning and enhanced chemical-biological protective clothing. RELATED LINKS Online: http://1.usa.gov/X9y25E
Quoc Truong, with Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, shows the difference between self-cleaning clothing and regular Army Combat Uniforms. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
about designing superoleophobic surfaces. By leveraging MITs technical findings, Truong believed he could develop self-cleaning clothing for Soldiers. It took me years to realize that I could address our former Army generals challenge and make his dream comes true, Truong said. The Army accepted the SBIR topic in 2008 to develop self-cleaning clothing based on the use of superoleophobic coatings, which are coatings that do not allow oils, solvents, or chemicals to wet the surface. Since then, Truong has worked with two leading academic and industry partners -- MIT and Luna Innovations, Inc. Many tests were done on omniphobic coated fabrics that were produced by MIT to understand the relationship between omniphobic coated fabrics texture and design, and its surface chemistry. Luna developed the fabrics using its omniphobic coating chemistry under Truongs technical guidance. Currently, the Army Combat Uniform and Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology chemical protective overgarment have a durable water repellent, or DWR, treatment to repel rain. However, this DWRtreated clothing would lose its water repellency after wear, repeated washing, and coming into contact with petroleum, oils, and lubricants. Performance goals were set to improve the
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and Engineering Commands Armament Research, or RDECOM, Development and Engineering Center, earned the Foreign Comparative Testing, or FCT, PM of the Year for 2012. The enhanced fuze FCT projects goal was to qualify and field a cockpit-settable fuze version of the multipurpose penetrator M282 warhead for U.S. Special Operations Commands, or SOCOM, use on helicopters, West said. A now-retired senior hydra team leader started the project, and West took over for him. Over a 20-year period, the branch that I work in has completed multiple successful FCT programs based on the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle weapon system, West said. The FCT office, along with my branch chiefs knowledge of the SOCOM FCT program office, gave me support and guidance when taking on this task. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide this capability to the Warfighter. RDECOM manages the DAC and FCT programs for the Army, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Comparative Technology Office oversees the programs. Earl Wyatt, deputy assistant secretary of defense for rapid fielding, and RDECOM Director Dale Ormond presented Nguyen and West with their awards at the Pentagon, March 20. U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney F. Todaro, director of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, or OSD, Comparative Technology Office, lauded their work in support of the warfighter. Mr. Wests accomplishments stood out among a very strong field of candidates, Todaro said. The 70mm enhanced fuse project will greatly increase the capabilities of our 70mm rockets while avoiding development, acquisition and sustainment costs, exactly what the FCT program is supposed to do. Mr. Nguyens project met a critical need in minimum time while improving capability. Significant cost savings were achieved by avoiding a large, new development program. DEFENSE ACQUISITION CHALLENGE The DAC program was created in 2003 in response to a Congressional mandate that the DOD initiate a program that was innovative, flexible, competitive and affordable to integrate mature technologies into the acquisition cycle, said William Randy Everett, with RDECOMs Global Technology Integration team. The program allows U.S. vendors to submit mature technology proposals for evaluation by the PEOs.