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ISSUE NO. 2
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Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman (left) takes a breather after a 12-mile road march at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., March 27. (U.S. Army photo by Tom Faulkner)
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By Dale A. Ormond RDECOM Director
Lt. Gen. Keith C. Walker (left), Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, meets with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands Board of Directors meeting June 26 at Aberdeen Proving Ground. (U.S. Army photos by Tom Faulkner)
Im asking our Strategic Communications IPT to do the same thing. We brought in communicators from across the RDECs and ARL. The teams mission is to find ways to tell our story and address the issues that are out there in a way that people can understand. We need to educate our stakeholders on how RDECOM adds value to the Armys ability to execute its mission. We need to tell America what theyre getting as a return on their investment. We have the best equipped Army in the world. Why? Because RDECOM is doing its job and creating solutions for Soldiers every day. Thats a powerful story to tell, and the more we can connect our individual stories, the more powerful our overall story becomes.
You give our Soldiers a decisive edge that helps bring more of them home alive than in any conflict in history.
Dale A. Ormond Thats why all members of the RDECOM workforce need to be aware of what the entire organization does. RDECOM consists of a headquarters and seven major subordination organizations all working together for our Army; this is nearly 16,000 military and civilians, not just a 350 people at APG. Your understanding of how RDECOM works and how our products
are helping Soldiers will help make us a more effective and efficient organization. Part of that is being able to know whats going on across the command so we can put together stories that show collaboration. And all we have to do is talk about what we do every day. We operate on the leading edge of science and technology, owning the space between the State of the Art and the Art of the Possible. We take the initiative to turn our innovations into capabilities that go into the hands of Soldiers. In addition, we are truly joint as we work with the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines -- were doing all the things that were supposed to be doing and, I might add, doing it extraordinarily well. Now is the time to put our efforts in the spotlight. After all, you give our Soldiers a decisive edge that helps bring more of them home alive than in any conflict in history. I dont have to tell you how important that is. Our challenge is to bring the enthusiasm we have for that job to the task of collaborating to do it even better. If we can do that, RDECOM will profoundly impact, in the most positive manner, the Armys ability to keep our Soldiers the best equipped in the world no matter the fiscal realities. RELATED LINKS Directors Biography: http://go.usa.gov/vK8 Facebook: http://on.fb.me/MKsWlo Twitter: http://twitter.com/DaleOrmond
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to clear a path to any destination. The headquarters is open to feedback as they try to evolve the command, he said. Your feedback will be listened to because you are respected. With Mr. Ormond on board and AMC demonstrating that they are eager to talk more about the mission of RDECOM, we are in a position to help ourselves significantly. It all starts with collaboration, he said. In the coming months, you will see a lot of requests for information from the command. I encourage you to answer them promptly. You will see opportunities to sit on working groups and bring your experience to the table. Take advantage of these opportunities. We are stronger together than we are alone. RELATED LINKS ECBC: https://www.ecbc.army.mil/
How do we convince 16,000 people to move in the same direction? I think that the beginning of doing that is to set an example.
Joseph Wienand That is significant, he said. I think each of the individual RDECs can do a good job of defining who they are, but the mission of RDECOM, is huge. It spans the development of ground vehicles; aircraft; munitions; communications electronics; chem-bio defense equipment; soldier equipment, and basic scientific research. Although my job at ECBC can sometimes be challenging, the complexity of overseeing all those functions is far more difficult. When I left ECBC to go to RDECOM, moved from an organization of 1,600 people to one of 16,000. While some of the challenges may have been similar, the sheer scale of the challenges at the headquarters is enormous.
Joseph Wienand, then-acting RDECOM deputy director speaks at an April 9 event at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (U.S. Army photo by Sean Kief)
One of those challenges is telling the RDECOM story. It is one of Director Dale Ormonds primary focus areas and something Wienand admits that the command and in many cases the RDECs have never done particularly well. All our organizations have lots and lots of engineers and scientists, who do a great job
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RDECOM Newsbriefs
RDECOM DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL GETS NEW ASSIGNMENT The U.S. Army General Officer Management Office made an official announcement July 13: RDECOM Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. John J. McGuiness, who also serves as senior commander for the Natick Soldier System Center, Natick, Mass., will be assigned as Program Executive Officer, Ammunition/ Commanding General, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. McGuiness has been with RDECOM since May 2011. http://go.usa.gov/fvd
LT. GEN. KEITH WALKER TOURS CERDEC Lt. Gen. Keith C. Walker, Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, toured CommunicationsElectronics Research, Development and Engineering Center facilities at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., June 26. http://bit.ly/LUIYjl
ARL DIRECTOR RETIRES RDECOM Director Dale Ormond hosted a ceremony at Adelphi Laboratory Center so that family, friends, distinguished guests and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory workforce could celebrate with former ARL Director John Miller, who retired after 42 years of government service.
Social Media
Go to http://twitter. com/rdecom to follow also search @DaleOrmond
ARLS PATRICK BAKER INDUCTED INTO SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE Patrick J. Baker, director of the Army Research Laboratorys Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, was inducted into Senior Executive Service June 27. http://bit.ly/LUJ8qH ARO ENGINEER NAMED IEEE FELLOW Dr. Dev Palmer, program manager in the Army Research Office Electronics Division, was named an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Fellow earlier this year, cited for leadership and contributions in microwave and millimeter wave systems and sources. http://go.usa.gov/fxb BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Lt. Gen. Keith C. Walker, Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, met with the RDECOMs Board of Directors June 26. RDECOM leadership, with the technical directors of the commands seven research centers, met at the Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center. http://bit.ly/NxRcgj
FAREWELL TO SFC WIMBLEY Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie presented Sgt. 1st Class Laquita Wimbley with a Meritorious Service Medal June 28 for her work as an equal employment opportunity advisor. http://bit.ly/Nrl790
FAREWELL TO COL. BENSON RDECOM Director Dale Ormond presented outgoing Chief of Staff Col. Kirk Benson with a Legion of Merit award at Ruggles Golf Course June 25. http://bit.ly/NtnoC5
Go to http://bit.ly/ rdecomgoogle
NEWSBRIEFS SUBMISSIONS To submit your announcement for INSIDER Newsbriefs, please e-mail the editor at david. mcnally@us.army.mil. Share your transition, promotion or news with the workforce!
Secretary of the Army John McHugh tours RDECOMs tank and automotive center July 19. (U.S. Army photo)
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slid under the platform to check the blastdeflecting V-hull design a life-saving advancement protecting Soldiers from roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. Engineers from Program Executive Office Combat Support & Combat Service Support and PEO Ground Combat Systems presented vehicles theyre developing and sustaining, such as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle future combat platform and the Stryker combat vehicle. Other pivotal advancements presented to the secretary included the Capability Set 13 network integration program and how TARDECs Occupant Centric Platform design philosophy puts the Soldier at the core of all survivability research. McHugh got a close-up look at a couple of pivotal technology transfer programs for the Future Force the Fuel Efficient ground vehicle Demonstrator and Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle. The FED Bravo vehicle was designed by TARDEC engineers, working with a variety of industry and academic partners, to install and evaluate commercially available fuel economy technology on a military demonstrator platform. The ULV program has a similar purpose but focuses on safety and survivability systems and equipment. The Army intends to combine what it learns from both programs and develop a new tactical vehicle that will offer heightened protection and fuel efficiency for future forces.
(Left to right) Dr. Tien Pham, Nino Srour, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Zachary Lemnios, Jay Change, Sachi Desai and Alan Schaffer. (U.S. Army photo)
Laboratory; Jay Chang, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Sachi Desai, ARDEC. The main collaborative research focus of the team was to understand the current stateof-the-art transient sniper systems, research and develop robust detection and localization methods to enhance existing field systems, and explore and identify new acoustic sensor technology for vehicle and dismounted Soldier systems. The award specifically recognized by teams contributions in evaluating of the current state-of-the-art sniper systems for
Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie and then-RDECOM Chief of Staff Col. Kirk Benson don full battle-rattle and wave to the crowds from atop an Army Cougar at the Havre de Grace, Md., Independence Day Parade July 1. (U.S. Army photo by Roger Teel)
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Field Assistance in Science and Technology-Center engineers and technicians discuss prototype integration facility capabilities with 18th Engineer Brigade Soldiers at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo)
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The command post is fast becoming a virtual network of Soldiers and data. In the future, any physical surface will become a shared visual platform enabled by touch, gesture and voice interaction.
RDECOM Director Dale Ormond delivers the keynote address at the IDGA Command & Control Summit June 26. (U.S. Army photo by Roger Teel)
Becoming a trusted agent in the acquisition process is going to become increasingly important, he said. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta summed up the current climate as a strategic turning point, and the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey stated that affordable modernization is one of his most important priorities. If it shoots, moves or communicates, now or in the future, RDECOM is focused on the research, development and engineering that makes it a reality and keeps it at the leading edge affordably, Ormond said. The director talked about Technology Enabled Capability Demonstrations, or TECDs, which are an initiative of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, Dr. Marilyn Freeman, and one of RDECOMs primary lines of effort.
TECDs are designed to be two- to three- in these TECDs, he continued. year efforts that encompass technology The director broached the TECDs development, technology demonstration and of Mission Command and Actionable operational evaluation. They are focused Intelligence and noted that the on near-term technologies brought together Communications-Electronics Research, to demonstrate a meaningful operational Development and Engineering Center at improvement. Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., will squire Once the capability has been these TECDs through the development demonstrated, a decision is made whether to process. field that capability, transition it to a program Leading the CERDEC effort is John of record, or terminate it, Ormond said. Willison, director, Command, Power & TECDs put us in a Integration. Willison position in which we RDECOM is at the front followed Ormond at are not looking to meet end of the materiel process, the IDGA podium and a specific requirements discussed the TECDs document that leads to where were making scientific of Mission Command and Actionable an output that may or discoveries and exploiting Intelligence in great may not be part of an innovation by turning ideas detail for the IDGA overall system. Instead, audience. we are bringing our into technologies we can put We are ever tec hnolo gy- spec if ic in the hands of Soldiers. mindful not to expertise and our Dale A. Ormond overburden the systems-engineering outlook together to look across the broad Soldier, Willison said. That includes both spectrum of the challenge to develop and the physical load and the cognitive load. As director of the Armys S&T command, demonstrate truly integrated solutions. Taking a systems engineering approach I could not ask for a clearer endorsement to these challenges gives us the best chance of the important role RDECOM plays in the to develop the agile solutions we need while future of our military. There is more specific realizing the efficiencies we must to deliver guidance, of course, but the most salient the best return on the Armys investment, part is that we have to find a way to succeed in creating this agile, flexible, ready, and he said. The Army Science and Technology technologically advanced force in a time Advisory Group approved nine TECDs in of shifting mission priorities, decreasing December. RDECOM has a leading role in resources and increasing emphasis on efficiencies. six of the nine efforts. It is certainly our intention to support Dr. Freemans approach that there are, or will RELATED LINKS be, opportunities for industry to participate Bio: http://go.usa.gov/fvH
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Marylands 2nd District Congressman, U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, left, shares a morning chat over coffee with RDECOM Director Dale Ormond. The two discussed the growing need for a robust defense against cyber attacks from foreign adversaries. (U.S. Army photos by Tom Faulkner)
In our corridor between Fort Meade, NSA and Aberdeen Proving Ground, we have an opportunity to be the leaders for the future. RELATED LINKS Bio: http://go.usa.gov/fvL
In our corridor between Fort Meade, NSA and Aberdeen Proving Ground, we have an opportunity to be the leaders for the future.
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger Ruppersberger, currently serving his fifth term in the House, reiterated the potentially serious damage posed by a cyber attack against the U.S. military, government and businesses. He urges senior military leaders to understand the associated risks. My district is considered the cyber capital of the world, Ruppersberger said. There are more cyber jobs here than anyplace in the world. In 10 years we could have more tech jobs than Silicon Valley.
RDECOM Director Dale Ormond (left) meets with U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger for the first time.
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Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie gives an interview July 19. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)
Force Base in Colorado Springs supporting the Missile Defense Agency. You name it, we are supporting it. I have learned a tremendous amount of what we do here. It is jaw-dropping the things we do at RDECOM. Where have you traveled recently, and what has been your message? Its a team effort. We are so diverse in our disbursement across the United States and places abroad. It is important that each of us know what each other are doing at each location. We can make ourselves more efficient, cut down on duplications and work together. That is one of the lines of effort that [RDECOM Director Dale] Ormond has directed the staff to work on. Who has a center of excellence for a technology? Understand that if you are not the subject matter expert, there are subject matter experts within RDECOM. Its OK to reach across RDECs to talk with the folks who have the best product and the most cost-effective to finding the answer. It requires communication. What do they tell you about their needs? They dont understand that the technology comes from RDECOM. The faces they see are the [program managers] and [program executive offices] or industry. When I was in the field, industry came to me to sell and pitch their technology. They know those faces and understand what they bring to the table.
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By Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs NEWARK, Del. The U.S. Army science and technology community is bolstering its relationship with the University of Delaware through research partnerships and graduateschool offerings, officials said during a meeting on the schools campus July 3. INCREASING OFFERINGS FOR GRADUATE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS Aberdeen Proving Ground, located 35 miles from the university, has added thousands of high-tech civilian and contractor jobs as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, which concluded in September 2011. Dale Ormond, director of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, praised UDs efforts to bring graduate education to the Army installation. APG houses RDECOM headquarters and three of the commands seven research centers. In the Aberdeen area, there is not a lot of capability in terms of graduate-level education compared with what I think will eventually be the need and demand, Ormond said. What you are doing to enhance the capability is incredibly important for us to build a more competent and professional workforce. Mark Mirotznik, a professor in the schools electrical and computer engineering department and coordinator for the schools courses at APG, said UDs College of Engineering has been steadily increasing the selection and number of classes. UD taught the first course at APG in the fall of 2009 and now offers part-time masters and doctorate degree programs on the installation, he said. The university sends full-time faculty to teach two to three courses per semester across five engineering and computer science disciplines. Forty-three APG students, primarily federal government employees and a small number of defense contractors, enrolled during the spring 2012 semester, Mirotznik said. The university hopes to offer courses via video teleconferencing for those outside APG. RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP YIELDS SIGNIFICANT RESULTS RDECOM and UD formalized their relationship in January 2010 when Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, RDECOMs commander at the time, and UD President Pat Harker signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. Harker said the CRADA has resulted in 19 research projects at the university through individual statements of work.
RDECOM Director Dale Ormond explains the commands work to University of Delaware officials at Newark, Del., July 3. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)
This reflects the mutual interests and strengths that we share across both institutions, plus the fact that we are so close geographically, Harker said. UD professors explained their broad range of research to the RDECOM team, which included Ormond; John Pellegrino, acting technical director of Army Research Laboratory; Jill Smith, technical director of Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Suzanne Milchling, program integration director of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. The university conducts research with each of RDECOMs seven centers. Topics include composite materials; embedded electronics systems; power and energy; orthotic devices for Wounded Warriors; cybersecurity; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. What you are doing in energy, power and environment fits into a lot of the things we are doing as well, Ormond said. How to create power, store power and use power are very high priorities for the Army. NEW 272-ACRE CAMPUS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY The universitys plans for the Science Technology and Advanced Research, or STAR, Campus demonstrates a significant investment in its faculty and students, Harker said. UD purchased the 272-acre Chrysler Newark Assembly Plant for $24 million in December 2009. The school demolished the existing 4
million square feet of facilities remaining from the automaker. Harker said the STAR Campus tenants will focus on energy and environmental technologies, health and life sciences, and national security and defense. Site developers will be required to be open to faculty research or student internships. Bloom Energy, a California-based company that specializes in solid oxide fuel cells, broke ground April 30 on a manufacturing facility that will employ 900 workers over 50 acres. U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware said the Chrysler plant closing was difficult for the state, but the new technology campus is an opportunity for growth in the region. One of my jobs as governor and now as senator has been to create a nurturing environment for job creation and job preservation, Carper said. One of the ways we do that is to foster partnerships such as we have with RDECOM. A key part of the revitalization project at the STAR Campus will be a redesigned train station, which was announced June 22 as a result of a $10 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant and other state and local funding, Carper said. Carper said he hopes to eventually use MARC trains to close the gap in commuter rail service between Perryville, Md., and Newark. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fvt UDel: http://www.udel.edu/
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Cargo parachutes drop fuel to a combat outpost in Afghanistan, Sept. 16, 2011. Army researchers are testing a quick release system to be fielded later this year. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maj. Matt DeLay)
Were looking to significantly accelerate this effort and checking whether our forward deployed research center or stateside prototype facilities can produce the prototypes
Dr. Jack Obusek, Sc.D., U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center director. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
Army researchers from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center test a new quick release system for more effective cargo delivery. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
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By Chris Williams TARDEC Public Affairs FORT BENNING, Ga. An unmanned ground vehicle makes its way across the field and suddenly slows, its sensors activated by a threat buried beneath the ground. A mechanical arm lowers, blades whirring and kicking up dirt as it searches for land mines and improvised explosive devices. A loud report and a shower of sparks fill the air as the threat is discharged. The above scenario took place at Fort Benning, Ga., during the 2012 Robotics Rodeo held June 20-29. The event allowed manufacturers to showcase the latest robotics technology designed to defeat battlefield threats, especially IEDs. Robotics technology has been vital in allowing Soldiers and Marines to detect and defeat these devices from safe standoff distances during overseas contingency operations. The Rodeo enables Maneuver Center of Excellence Soldiers to test drive the latest UGVs and offer feedback based on their recent deployment experiences. This years Robotics Rodeo was co-hosted by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center; the Army Capabilities Integration Center; Fort Bennings MCoE; and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. The organizations gave private industry and academic researchers an opportunity to present their latest technology to system users and discuss potential collaboration with Army leaders. NEEDED CAPABILITIES Over the past decade, the use of UGVs in theater has greatly increased, providing Soldiers with enhanced capabilities to safely conduct reconnaissance missions, route clearance and threat defeat. As threats evolve and Soldiers prepare for missions in new areas of operations, advanced robotics technology will be needed to meet emerging needs. In the 1990s, there was this flawed assumption that with the integration of surveillance, communication and information technologies, we could achieve a high degree of certainty in war, remarked MCoE Commanding General Maj. Gen. H.R. McMaster. What weve learned in the past decade of war is that countermeasures exist for everything. The real key is to have a broad range of capabilities that can be integrated into combined operations. JIEDDOs partnership in the Robotics Rodeo underscored the importance of finding
The 2012 Robotics Rodeo showcases the latest technology designed to empower, unburden and protect Americas Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo)
new, innovative ways to defeat these hidden, life-threatening devices. Some of the work I see in our own lab really emphasizes how to use robotics technology in order to defeat IEDs, commented TARDEC Senior Research Scientist for Robotics Dr. Jim Overholt. We were happy to partner with JIEDDO to bring them in and look at what we can do to help them out in the area of IED defense. Many technologies highlighted during the Rodeo dealt with IED detection and defeat, and were demonstrated for industry and government representatives. But the real test will come when these systems are placed in the hands of Soldiers in realworld situations. There are thousands of good programs out there, but few great ones. The few great ones make it out to the operator and are effective, efficient and they work, stressed JIEDDO Deputy Director Maj. Gen. Austin Miller. A great solution is something that works in the field. What were all trying to do here is harness the great and innovative ideas and connect them to the operational arm as quickly as possible. MORE THAN EXPECTED During the Robotics Rodeo, industry representatives showcased their technologies to users and potential partners through challenges and vignettes, operational demonstrations and technical displays. Army dignitaries toured the grounds and spoke with technologists to better understand how these
new capabilities could best serve Soldiers in dangerous operational environments. Everything Ive looked at has been exactly what I expected, but more, remarked TARDEC Interim Director Jennifer Hitchcock. There are so many different capabilities out here today that I think we can get into the hands of Soldiers, and we just have to figure out how to do that. One tool that could allow Soldiers to detect and defeat threats is an Automated Mine Detection System from Carnegie Robotics. Working off a TALON platform, the UGV allows Soldiers to search for potential IEDs and mines from a safe distance. It looks for threats of all types and covers the whole gamut, remarked Carnegies Daniel Beaven. It proceeds ahead autonomously, sweeping the ground. When it finds a threat, it gives the operator an indication so they can weigh in on what they see and make subjective assessments. Then it injects a dye into the ground to mark where the threat is to be removed by a team coming around later. We can also attach a payload to discharge and destroy the threat. In addition to IED defeat, Overholt remarked that TARDEC was interested in technologies that advance autonomy, enhance mobility, bring in common controllers or show greater teaming between systems. iRobots First Look system, which features a mesh network that links three different systems and features a lightweight common controller, has the potential to enhance communications and expand operations. Communication is a
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very useful, because the vehicles designed to take an IED blast from the ground up. If youre going to where the IEDs are and taking a robot with you, this is the truck to take you there. The opportunity for collaborative discussion makes an event like Robotics Rodeo so fruitful and allows the Army to continue valuable partnerships, Miller remarked. Its not a marriage that just comes together naturally, he concluded. What Id say to our partners in industry and academia is: we cant do it without you. RELATED LINKS More photos: http://go.usa.gov/fgQ
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Experimentation and Assessment program The Secretary of the Army announced a new to support future Tactical Wheeled Vehicle senior civilian leader for the U.S. Army Tank acquisition strategy. Automotive Research, Development and Ormond also wanted to public recognize Engineering Center at Detroit Arsenal, Mich. the contributions of the interim director. effective Aug. 12. Jennifer Hitchcock has done Dr. Paul Rogers, Ph.D., has a fantastic job ensuring that been appointed as TARDEC TARDEC maintains its critical technical director. role in supporting Soldiers Rogers comes to the new by providing cutting edge job from the Program Executive technologies and engineering Office, Ground Combat support to the TACOM Systems where he served as community and the Army, he deputy since April 11, 2010. He said. previously served in leadership Rogers earned doctorate roles at TARDEC. In 2006, of philosophy in Mechanical he was the deputy associate Engineering- Engineering director for Mobility Research, Mechanics from Michigan Mobility Technology Area. In Dr. Paul Rogers, Ph.D., has Technological University 2007, he became the executive been appointed TARDEC in 2004. He also earned a director for research. masters degree in Strategic technical director. (U.S. The Research, Development Army photo) Studies from the U.S. Army War and Engineering Commands College, a Master of Science tank and automotive center has Please join me in in Engineering-Mechanical been without a director since Dr. congratulating Dr. Engineering from the University Grace M. Bochenek became the of Michigan-Dearborn and Army Materiel Comand chief Rogers in his new a Bachelor of Science in technology officer in March. assignment and Mechanical Engineering from Jennifer A. Hitchcock served as welcome him back MTU. He is a graduate of the acting director in the interim. Army Engineer Officer Basic Please join me in to the RDECOM Course, Engineer Officer congratulating Dr. Rogers in his community. Advance Course, Combined new assignment and welcome Arms Services Staff School, Dale A. Ormond Army Command and General him back to the RDECOM Staff College and the U.S. Army community, said RDECOM Director Dale A. Ormond. I know he can War College. Rogers is married and has three count on your support as we strive to find children. Rogers will assume his duties at RDECOMs ways to improve our support to Soldiers with tank and automotive center immediately. innovative technology solutions. Rogers has a wealth of experience in the TARDEC field. In previous assignments he RELATED LINKS led the formation of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/vGu
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The Armys Buffalo Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle had its beginnings with the FCT Program. Its unique V-shaped hull directs ground explosions away from the vehicle and the Soldiers inside. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Afghanistan)
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and go-lights mounted on the top of the vehicle significantly helped Soldiers, he said. If [the lights] shine on the [rocket-propelled grenade] nets when [Soldiers are] driving, there is a reflection back into the eyes of the Soldiers, he said. The combination of the reflection into their eyes, as well as the nets shaking as theyre driving, disorients them. In some cases it creates dizziness. The team designed a headlight shroud that fits over the headlights. The fix does not require permanent modifications to the vehicle and screws on using existing hardware. It focuses the light in a much narrower beam while maintaining good visibility and minimizing reflection. For the go-lights, Oetken said the engineers increased the height of the bracket so the lights do not shine down into the front of the RPG net; they shine over it. We came up with two very simple solutions that make all the difference in the world to them, he said. Oetken said RFAST-Cs success stems from the RDECOM engineers and technicians who volunteer for deployment, as well as 401st AFSB Commander Col. Michel Russell, who has provided the facility and the opportunity to interact with visiting dignitaries. The current RFAST-C roster includes: Oetken, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center; Jones, ARDEC; engineer Rafael Hernandez, Army Research Laboratory; engineer Bryan Anderson, ARDEC; Nick Battaglia, RDECOM headquarters; engineer Greg Dogum, Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity; engineer Matthew Collins, Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center; technician Glen Weatherell, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; and technician Frank Suydam; ARDEC. Oetken said the team has received positive feedback from high-ranking visitors and strong support in order to become a fully operational engineering and prototyping center. RDECOM has never forward deployed this kind of capability. We are breaking new ground, Oetken said. We are a proof of principle to determine if this is a valueadded, cost-effective way of supporting the Soldier. All indicators are that its a success. We are providing a service that makes a difference to a lot of Soldiers in the field. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwc
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Dr. Claire Gordon and her team spent 18 months collecting the measurements of nearly 12,000 Soldiers as part of their anthropometric study at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)
a lot of flexibility. We had to be really very agile in terms of how we operated. People out there were willing to help us. They understood the value and the power of what we were trying to do.
The Army is the most diverse user group of any kind in the world, because were a melting pot as a country. So we have more variability in body size and shape than anybody in the world.
Dr. Claire Gordon In addition to traditional measurements, the NSRDEC team employed 3-D scanning techniques that were previously unavailable. We did them both, Gordon said. It takes an hour and a half to collect three scans and 94 measurements for a given Soldier. For a unit, it took all morning. In 88 it was said that (ANSUR I) was the best engineering database in the entire world. And Im convinced now that with our 3D scans, and the traditional dimensions, and the way weve done the sampling again in ANSUR II, it will become, again, the best engineering database in the world. That explains why government agencies such as NASA, along with industry, will
once again want the data, which should be released late in fiscal year 2013. Because its public data, said Gordon, we share it. But the military and homeland defenders come first. Gordon and Blackwell hope to provide data that will help those organizations acquire the right quantities of clothing and equipment in various sizes. Weve got to fit them well enough to protect them, well enough that they can function in the field, and weve got to do it mostly right off the shelf, Gordon said. We have to minimize special orders because its too costly for the taxpayer, and we cant afford to do that if were deploying quickly. The ANSUR II study will have an impact for decades to come in the way work spaces, work stations, field kitchens, vehicles and aircraft are designed. Were designing it now, said Gordon of the hardware. Were going to field it in seven or 10 years, and its going to be out there for another 20. So were talking 30 years from now, conceivably, is the population of users were going to have to fit. Gordon said the study was as rewarding as it was challenging. You can do science until the cows come home, but in the end, its a survey like this where the rubber meets the road, Gordon said. It saves lives. It saves money. It saves time. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwa
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An Army ranger puts the Fire Resistant Ghillie Suite through the paces during a wearability test. The new ghillie suit was acquired for U.S. Army and Marine Corps snipers in record time through the Defense Acquisition Challenge Program. (U.S. Army photo)
in the research and developmental phases of a product, he added. Since beginning, the DAC program has saved an estimated $375 million in DOD research and development, or R&D, by avoiding manufacturing, procurement and life cycle support costs. Additionally, more than 2,000 proposals have been evaluated and 130 projects have been funded from 35 states and the District of Columbia. More than 70 percent of the awarded projects have been to American smalland medium-sized businesses, and more than 25 percent to non-traditional defense companies. Twenty-three projects have been deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. DAC projects normally begin within a year, and end within 18 to 24 months after contract award. They may be fielded faster based on need and product availability. For the ghillie suit, PEO Soldier received $185,000 to purchase and test suit samples. Nguyen oversaw the testing and evaluated the fire-resistant suit and accessory kit. The project was complete in a record 10 months. The fire-resistant ghillie suit is being fielded to Americas Warfighters. It is unknown how many Soldiers and Marines may be saved by this, but if even one life is saved it is money well spent, Everett said. When evaluating DAC proposals submitted by industry the RDECOM ITI Team focuses on the 24 science and
technology challenges identified by Marilyn Freeman, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for research and technology. The Army submitted 21 proposals for fiscal year 2012 funding. One is a Korean Advanced Text Translator, which is a significant requirement for the Combined Forces Command / U.S. Forces Korea and a documented operational need. The Army recently announced that the Korean text translator and eight other projects have been approved for funding, Everett said. These represent a DOD investment of $6.5 million for Army programs in fiscal year 2012. As a result, if all projects are successful, the estimated cost avoidance and savings is in excess of $70 million, a significant return on the DODs investment, he added. The approved DAC projects include: a tactical communication and protective system; a universal battery charger; a deployable shelter/detention system; improved alloys for protection of armored and tactical vehicles; a protection kit for gunners; improved mortar manufacturing; a lightweight combat vehicle crewman helmet; and an enhanced combat vehicle crew coverall. Only the DAC program provides the vehicle for items like this to quickly gain access to the acquisition life cycle, Everett said. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwY
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The Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center recently completed a project for the Rapid Equipping Force on reusing discarded Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station imaging sensors for inexpensive, ground-based persistent surveillance systems. (U.S. Army photo)
The software, integrated by Allison Thackston and Sean Jellish, electronics engineers at CERDEC NVESD, allows for an operator to change sensor parameters and control the sensors on a pan/tilt unit, enabling the use of sensors within a new mission area. For this project, called CROWS ISR, Bob Mayer, a mechanical engineer at CERDEC NVESD used a commercially available hardware processor board to host new software, mounted the sensors on a tripod and added a GPS. CERDEC received hardware and software components to complete system integration with new packaging and successfully demonstrated the upcycled technology. Mike Jennings, Special Products and Prototyping Division director at NVESD calls
item reuse, like CROWS ISR, innovative reset. He believes that with the draw-down, an opportunity to recycle excess items coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan for current and future needs is burgeoning. Reusing technologies can save the taxpayers a significant amount of money, he said. For instance, using these demilitarized items saves two-thirds the cost of a new commercial equivalent to a new and improved CROWS-ISR sensor system. The collaborative effort could be the model for upcycling many of the Department of Defenses demilitarized items, saving time, money and the environment. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwQ
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Dr. Roger Strawn leads the High-Performance Computing Institute for Advanced Rotorcraft Modeling and Simulation at AMRDECs Aeroflightdynamics Directorate in Moffett Field, Calif. (Courtesy photo)
project under the HPCMPs CREATE-Air Vehicles program. CREATE stands for Computational Research and Engineering Acquisition Tools and Environments. He leads the High-Performance Computing Institute for Advanced Rotorcraft Modeling and Simulation at the Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate in Moffett Field, Calif. This group is responsible for the development and applications of advanced computational modeling tools for rotary-wing aeromechanics. Over the past 25 years, Strawn has led the development and application of such methods for a range of Army helicopter configurations including the CH-47 Chinook, the UH-60 Black Hawk and the OH-58 Kiowa. Strawn has also served for more than 10 years as the Service Agency Approval Authority for Army Aviation within the DoD High-Performance Computing Modernization Program. According to its website, the High Performance Computing Modernization Program was initiated in 1992 in response to congressional direction to modernize the DoD laboratories high performance computing capabilities. The HPCMP supports DoD objectives through research, development, test and evaluation. RELATED LINKS Army.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwE
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AMRDEC Director Eric Edwards presents Dr. Robin Buckelew with a certificate of appreciation during her Redstone Arsenal retirement ceremony July 12. (Courtesy photo)
Buckelew transitioned to the Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command and then the Strategic Defense Command, where she served as chief engineer and program manager over several projects. She entered Senior Executive Service in 1993.
If you remember anything about me after I leave here, Id just like it to be two things: that I listened and that I always tried to do the right thing.
Dr. Robin Buckelew All but four years of he 45-year career have been spent here at Redstone Arsenal, Edwards remarked. She spent four years in the Pentagon doing a couple of assignments, but most of that time has been here. Nineteen of her 45 years of service has been at the senior executive level, and for all the engineers in the room thats 42.22 percent of her career. If you think whats happened on Redstone
and the Army and the nation since 1993 and for someone to have been a senior leader in the Army during that time, you can only further imagine the impact she has had in the leadership role she has played. In 2001, she became director of WDI. If you think about anything on a missile, those are the functions which her directorate does and has done for many, many years, Edwards said. That sounds real impressive and looks really good on a chart, but let me put it in an operational context. When youre watching the news you see they talk about a missile strike from an unmanned system. Thats most likely a Hellfire, and the integration of that missile onto that unmanned system was born out of her organization and as a result of her leadership. In the area of aviation, WDI helps equip aircraft with new technology, like the Kiowa Warrior Reduced Weight Missile Launcher. Edwards said, The most rewarding thing that somebody like Dr. Buckelew or her team could have is the email from that Soldier in Afghanistan that talks about how great that system is, and at the end it says, You guys rock. If you look at any tactical missile system
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TACMS, Javelin, TOW, MLRS, Guided MLRS, Patriot, any of those things theres technology out in the field today in the hands of Soldiers that are the direct result of her leadership. Those within WDI describe Buckelew as a leader in the true sense of the word. Among her remarkable traits has been her willingness to serve her employees by seriously considering their needs in conjunction with the often demanding and time-sensitive mission needs, said Dr. Jay Loomis, an AMRDEC senior research scientist who works science and technology in the area of radio frequency sensors within WDI. Her attention to detail and getting it right were also a hallmark of her tenure, Loomis said. She always took the time to carefully read through all the Directorates individual annual performance evaluations while at the same time collaborating with Israel and South Korea on complex internationally important defense capabilities. WDI senior research scientist Dr. Paul Ruffin recalled Buckelews attention to detail quite well, especially when it came to reviewing his technical papers. Ruffin was surprised that Buckelew would read the entire documents, which were sometimes 20 pages long. The reason I know she reads them is she always has comments, Ruffin said. One time I tried to pull one on her. I put two papers in there to get them both approved at the same time thinking that she would go through and just approve one of them, get tired of reading and approve them both. She read both of them, Ruffin said, showing his surprise. She said, What is this? Two papers? Shes so thorough. It was Buckelew who secured Ruffins promotion to Senior Research Scientist. Before she got here they kept telling me they were going to get me promoted and nothing happened, Ruffin said. When she got here, the first thing she did was get me promoted. She told me, when she was getting ready to
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