The INSIDER

INSIDE THIS ISSUEDIRECTOR’S CORNERRDECOM is moving forward together, Page 2

RDECOM NEWSBRIEFSNews and information from across the organization, Page 4

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!RDECOM represents at a local Independence Day parade, Page 5

CIVILIAN ENGINEERS TEAM WITH SOLDIERS IN AFGHANISTAN RFAST-C brings seven engineers and two technicians directly to the battlefield, Page 6

CSM TALKS TEAMWORK Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie gives an interview, Page 9

NSRDEC TECHNICAL DIRECTOR VISITS AFGHANISTAN Army leaders in the field are seeking technology solutions for complex challenges, Page 11

RDECOM WELCOMES TARDEC TECHNICAL DIRECTORWelcome Dr. Paul Rogers, Page 13

PICATINNY LEAN SIX SIGMA SCORE VICTORYLean Six Sigma teams generate more than $94 million in return on investment, Page 19

AMRDEC SES RETIRES AFTER 45 YEARSFarewell to Dr. Robin Buckelew, Weapons Development and Integration director, Page 21

By Don Kennedy ECBC Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — “We are stronger together than we are alone.”

It’s a simple message, really, but one that Edgewood Chemical Biological Center Technical Director Joseph Wienand says is profound when looking to the future of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.

After returning June 9 from a detail to the command as its acting deputy director,

Wienand had the opportunity to travel to each of the research, development and engineering centers and research laboratories. He was impressed by what he saw.

“I was fortunate to meet a lot of brilliant people in my time at RDECOM,” he explained. “Across our command, there are a lot of people doing exceptional work for the Army and the Department of Defense.”

RDECOM is home to some of the most renowned scientists and engineers in the

By Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — A Soldier serving as a research and development adviser earned honors as Army Materiel Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year July 18.

Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman now heads to the Department of the Army competition in October at Fort Lee, Va., after winning AMC’s Best Warrior three-day contest at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.

“I was a sponsor for [Spc. Bernard Quackenbush] for the Department of the Army competition last year, so I have a pretty good idea what to train for,” said Whisman, who is assigned to Army Research Laboratory at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. “I have quite a bit of work ahead of me, but I’ll be ready.

“I was really shocked that I won. I couldn’t believe it. They don’t tell you how you do on any events. They grade you, and it’s on to the next station. We all knew it was going to be close.”

Whisman won the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command NCO of the Year five-day competition at APG March 30. RDECOM is a major subordinate

Building a culture of collaboration

RDECOM Soldier takes top honors

AUGUST 2012ISSUE NO. 2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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)CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

2 AUGUST 2012 – ISSUE NO. 2

By Dale A. Ormond RDECOM Director

We are moving in the right direction. As I visit the many parts of RDECOM, engaging different parts of the team in teleconferences, meetings, and walkthroughs of your spaces, all that I see and hear tells me that there is a new sense of collaboration and cooperation across the organization.

I cannot over stress the importance of this new direction. The impending fiscal realities looming on the horizon mean we cannot function effectively in a business model where the headquarters, Army Research Laboratory, and the research, development and engineering centers have narrowly and rigidly defined responsibilities. Our counterparts in industry and academia are seeing these revolutionary changes, and we must expect them to impact how we do business. We can simply no longer afford a stove-pipe mentality. As has been said, “If you don’t like change, you’ll like irrelevance even less.” In the same way we have changed the Army through our technical innovations, we must demonstrate a managerial and organizational flexibility and adaptability to remain relevant and an agent of change for our Army.

That was Gen. Kern’s vision when he created RDECOM: to break down stove pipes and increase collaboration, to reduce duplicative effort, and ultimately, to provide the Army with the best equipment while giving the American taxpayers a clear return on their investment.

So what are we doing to encourage a spirit of collaboration? For one, the RDECOM leadership has increased its communication and collaboration. We communicate on this daily, and the RDECOM Board of Directors has met about every four to six weeks since I became the director. During these BOD meetings, I actively seek the perspective of our technical directors on major ideas and decisions to ensure we are taking into consideration issues and challenges across ARL and all of the RDECs. This collaboration is making us a more productive organization for our Army.

In another effort, we are creating Integrated Process Teams composed of representatives from across the organization. They are working on important challenges facing the Command, and they are charted and supported by the BOD.

Recently our Knowledge Management IPT met at APG to focus on finding and delivering its first project. The group is seeking a project that will bring value across RDECOM and have strong potential for success within six months. I have challenged this team to come up with methods to share information in ways that enable us to start becoming more than the sum of our parts.

I’m asking our Strategic Communications IPT to do the same thing. We brought in communicators from across the RDECs and ARL. The team’s 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 Army’s ability to execute its mission. We need to tell America what they’re 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. That’s a powerful story to tell, and the more we can connect our individual stories, the more powerful our overall story becomes.

That’s 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 what’s 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 -- we’re doing all the things that we’re 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 don’t 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 Army’s ability to keep our Soldiers the best equipped in the world no matter the fiscal realities.

RELATED LINKSDirector’s Biography: http://go.usa.gov/vK8Facebook: http://on.fb.me/MKsWloTwitter: http://twitter.com/DaleOrmond

Director’s Corner: Moving forward together

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 Command’s Board of Directors meeting June 26 at Aberdeen Proving Ground. (U.S. Army photos by Tom Faulkner)

“You give our Soldiers a decisive edge that helps bring more of them home alive than in any conflict in history.”

— Dale A. Ormond

http://go.usa.gov/vK8

http://on.fb.me/MKsWlo

http://twitter.com/DaleOrmond

3RDECOM’s THE INSIDER

CULTURE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1world. However, the team with the best players doesn’t always win the game. “Teamwork,” says Wienand, “is what is going to take us to new heights in the future.”

“It is heartening to see that the RDECs are collaborating more,” he said. “One group of representatives from the RDECs is meeting to discuss RDECOM’s core technical competencies. In a very real sense, this group is defining who we are as a command.

“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.”

One of those challenges is telling the RDECOM story. It is one of Director Dale Ormond’s 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

at communicating when they are talking to one another,” Wienand said. “But, when we have to tell people outside of our organizations what we are all about, we often don’t hit the mark.

“Our habit of using scientific terminology, or use of acronyms, muddies our message,” he continued. “That creates a problem for all of us. For several years, the Army Materiel Command didn’t talk much about the command because, frankly, they didn’t understand what we do. Why? Their leadership didn’t feel comfortable standing in front of a group of people to talk about something they didn’t fully understand. And, if AMC didn’t understand our functions, it is likely that our other key stakeholders didn’t understand either. It is difficult to convince anyone of the value of your organization if you are speaking a language they don’t understand.”

Both the newly formed Core Competency and Strategic Communications working groups at RDECOM have agreed to continue their collaborative arrangements even after their working groups are disbanded.

“I think that says something positive,” he said. “I think that once people get together to solve problems, they come to realize the power the collaborative process can have. I think that once this realization occurs, collaborations will grow stronger. During my time at RDECOM, I tried to encourage forums of people with common interests to get together.

“The question for leadership is a simple one,” he continued. “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. I feel like we are doing that in the Board of Directors meetings. Mr. Ormond encourages dialogue and he listens to dissenting opinions. I’ve watched him change his position after listening to others. That demonstrates a willingness to adapt, and that collaboration is important to him.”

But 16,000 is a big number, and a lot of people within each of the RDECs will need more than a couple of examples to convince them to break away from their history as stove-piped organizations. Still, Wienand believes that, in time, the organization will willingly follow where Ormond leads.

“I don’t think collaboration can be something that leadership forces on people, but we definitely can play a role in creating a culture,” he said. “Once that culture is established, I believe people will see the value in it. We might have to give it a little nudge, but I think that momentum will build, and we’ll all benefit from it.”

Sometimes, a seat at the table is a powerful thing. Having a hand in setting the course often fosters buy-in from participants. Understanding that each organization, each individual, brings something valuable to the discussion can help

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 LINKSECBC: 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

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)

command of AMC.RDECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert

Beharie served as a panel member during the competition’s board review.

“We are very, very proud of our NCO, Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman, who is the winner of the AMC competition,” Beharie said. “I was one of the board members during the competition. I saw some of what the NCOs and Soldiers had to go through during the process.

“We did a rapid-fire questioning, which limits the amount of time you have to think about a question. You have to be very studied to answer those questions. Then you have all the physical competitive areas, [including] Army Physical Fitness Test and road march. It’s a grueling process. If you come out the winner, it is absolutely a feather in your cap.”

The Soldiers faced a series of tests to their physical fitness, endurance, technical aptitude and reasoning skills. The tasks included: Army Physical Fitness Test; obstacle course; evaluating and treating casualties; assembling 50-caliber and M240 Bravo weapons; setting up and maintaining an entry control point; identifying several types of explosives; M-16 weapons qualification; inspecting and employing M95 hand grenade; board review before sergeants major from across AMC; written essay and 150-question written exam; day and night urban orienteering; day and night land navigation at Black Hawk State Historic Site; six-mile ruck march; and inspection of Army Service Uniform.

Also vying for the AMC honors were Sgt. 1st Class Jay Denton, Army Sustainment Command; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Scheil, Army Contracting Command; and Sgt. Richard Gonzalez, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

NCO, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


RDECOM DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL GETS NEW ASSIGNMENTThe 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

RDECOM Newsbriefs

Go to http://facebook.com/USArmyRDECOM — also search for Dale Ormond

Social MediaGo to http://twitter.com/rdecom to follow also search @DaleOrmond

Go to http://bit.ly/rdecomgoogle

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Lt. Gen. Keith C. Walker, Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, met with the RDECOM’s Board of Directors June 26. RDECOM leadership, with the technical directors of the command’s seven research centers, met at the Communications–Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center. http://bit.ly/NxRcgj

FAREWELL TO SFC WIMBLEYCommand 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

ARMY UNVEILS RDECOM LAB TO IMPROVE AGILE ACQUISITION PROCESSABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The Army launched a new laboratory hub for C4ISR integration here June 25. The C4ISR Systems Integration Laboratory, or CSIL, is the site for all lab-based risk reduction for systems before NIE. It provides a powerful resource that will be leveraged to identify and resolve bugs and ensure configuration settings and mission threads are validated before the field evaluation. http://bit.ly/O3CnyYLT. GEN. KEITH WALKER TOURS CERDEC

Lt. Gen. Keith C. Walker, Deputy Commanding General, Futures and Director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, toured Communications–Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center facilities at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., June 26. http://bit.ly/LUIYjl

ARL’S PATRICK BAKER INDUCTED INTO SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE Patrick J. Baker, director of the Army Research Laboratory’s Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, was inducted into Senior Executive Service June 27. http://bit.ly/LUJ8qH

ARL DIRECTOR RETIRESRDECOM 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.

ARO ENGINEER NAMED IEEE FELLOWDr. 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

FAREWELL TO COL. BENSONRDECOM 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

NEWSBRIEFS SUBMISSIONSTo submit your announcement for INSIDER Newsbriefs, please e-mail the editor at [email protected]. Share your transition, promotion or news with the workforce!

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TARDEC Public Affairs

DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. — Calling the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command “an amazing place with amazing, dedicated people,” Secretary of the Army John McHugh made a one-day trip to the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal on Thursday, July 19, to get a close-up view of the facilities where vital energy, mobility and survivability research are shaping the Army’s future.

McHugh, the Army’s top-ranking civilian official, toured laboratories and work spaces, including the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s tank and automotive center. He also toured the newly opened Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory, regarded as a key testing and evaluation epicenter for new energy technology.

“We know we have budget challenges that will require us to think in new and different ways, but one thing we’ll always sustain is ensuring that we’re providing warfighters with the things they need,” McHugh stated. “Whether it’s protective clothing, whether it’s the right kind of vehicles, or the right kind of firepower, those are the kinds of things that start here, are fielded through here and sustained here as well.

McHugh said the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center is an important organization.

“It makes you realize we have dedicated men and women in the civilian workforce,” he said. ‘It’s an amazing place with amazing people.”

The secretary explained that he had heard so many positive comments from generals, assistant secretaries and elected officials who recently visited the arsenal, he decided he should personally see the command’s capabilities and meet the leaders guiding fleet modernization and developing life-saving technology.

McHugh surveyed an environmental test cell spiked to 120 degrees to simulate desert heat, and then strolled into the GSPEL’s climate-controlled Power and Energy Vehicle Environmental Laboratory, where the temperature was plunged to minus 20 degrees, to experience the range of testing environments possible in the TARDEC labs.

In Concepts, Analysis, Systems Simulation and Integration, McHugh witnessed how Army engineers use modeling and simulation studies to develop vehicle systems and predict their durability. TARDEC associates showed him heavy-duty testing equipment, such as the Turret Motion Base Simulator, Vehicle Inertial Properties Evaluation Rig and vehicle shaker.

Robotics Senior Research Scientist Dr. Jim Overholt explained how fuel cells on robots dramatically increase the time they can be deployed on reconnaissance and surveillance missions, and briefed McHugh on other key developments, such as autonomous ground vehicle systems.

The entourage moved to the Center for Ground Vehicle Development and Integration, where McHugh sat in a Stryker vehicle and

RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command welcomed a new chief of staff July 30.

Col. Kenneth R. Tarcza takes over from Col. Kirk Benson who departed in July.

Before his assignment as RDECOM chief of staff, Tarcza served as commander of the Defense Contract M a n a g e m e n t Agency’s Southern European office. There he led a military and civilian workforce responsible for the management of more than 1,200 contracts valued at nearly $5 billion with more than 200 contractors located throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Tarcza graduated from the U.S. Military Academy as a second lieutenant of armor in 1985. His assignments include the 3rd Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division with deployments to Operations Desert Shield and Storm. He also served as an instructor and mechanical engineering design assistant professor at USMA. He served as an assistant project manager for Tank Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.

Tarcza was the product manager for Large Caliber Ammunition within the Program Executive Office for Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., from 2004-2007. Tarcza graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger courses, the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officers Course, the U.S. Army Senior Service College Fellowship program, and numerous acquisition courses. He is an Eagle Scout and holds Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.

Tarcza is married and has two children.

RDECOM welcomes new chief of staff

Army secretary looks at ground systems technology during TARDEC visitCol. Kenneth R. Tarcza

began his RDECOM chief of staff July 30. (U.S. Army photo)

Secretary of the Army John McHugh tours RDECOM’s tank and automotive center July 19. (U.S. Army photo)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6


slid under the platform to check the blast-deflecting 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 they’re 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 TARDEC’s 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.

In the meantime, much of the technology tested on the two FED vehicles and survivability demonstrators can be shared on other, existing platforms to elevate survivability and fuel economy across the fleet.

“We understand the importance of the work being done here. The people here bring an amazing spirit to work every day and they’re making a difference in Soldiers’ lives every day,” McHugh remarked. “I see briefs every day in Washington on every aspect of operations, but there’s no substitute for coming to places like this and seeing the work in action. To walk through these buildings and meet the forward-thinking people here is breathtaking. This has been a great opportunity for me to see it firsthand.”

THE SECRETARY’S FOCUS McHugh has declared in previous statements

that funding must remain in the Army’s budget to continue supporting readiness, training and modernization. The research and development work at the TACOM LCMC helps achieve the top priorities he issued earlier this year. For example, McHugh’s office is focused on maintaining a highly capable force with sound fiscal management, building the Army of 2020, funding reset and modernization efforts, and developing energy solutions. He has also stated the Army must always provide warfighters with the latest and most advanced technology to ensure operational capability and agility.

President Obama nominated McHugh to

become the nation’s 21st Secretary of the Army three years ago and he was sworn in on Sept. 21, 2009. Previously, McHugh served nine terms as a congressman from January 1993 until his appointment as Secretary.

In that office, McHugh oversees all matters relating to manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and equipment acquisition, communications and financial management for the Army. His workforce includes 1.1 million active-duty personnel (including Army Reserve and National Guard), 221,000 civilian employees and 213,000 contracted service employees.

A persistent advocate of veterans’ and military families’ causes while in Congress, McHugh served as co-chair of the House Army Caucus, a bipartisan organization that works to educate fellow House Members and their staffs about Army issues and programs. He was a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee responsible for the Department of Defense policies and programs and for each of the Armed Forces.

McHugh earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from Utica College of Syracuse University in 1970, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the State University of New York’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Graduate School of Public Affairs in 1977.

RELATED LINKSTARDEC: http://www.tardec.army.mil

SECARMY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

By Jenna Brady ARL Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Army civilian engineers got special recognition at a May 10 Pentagon ceremony.

Dr. Tien Pham and Nino Srour of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory received The Technical Cooperation Program Team Achievement Award for 2011 for the joint collaboration in the advancement of gunfire detection capability for coalition forces.

The program has provided a means for international cooperation for 50 years and is a principal defense science and technology organization that provides a medium for collaborative exchanges and joint trials, officials said.

Pham and Srour received the award along with their Technical Panel 7 team members including Dr. Brian Ferguson, Defence Science and Technology Organisation; Kam Lo, DSTO; Jacques Bedard, Defence Research and Development Canada; Laurence Evans, Defence Science and Technology

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 state-of-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 team’s “contributions in evaluating of the current state-of-the-art sniper systems for

force protection, development of a robust sniper localization and classification method that would enhance existing fielded systems, and indentifying novel acoustic technology for enhancing Soldier’s self protection and situation awareness.”

They collaborated and shared experimental data, signal processing approaches, and a concept of operations for sniper detection to improve gunfire detection technology, and through the collaborations, Australia’s DSTO led development of a robust sniper localization and classification algorithm.

The collaborative research efforts of the team have also resulted in tremendous cost saving benefits in data collection, algorithm development, and test and evaluation in open and urban terrain.

“It was unexpected but very nice to receive the team award from TTCP,” Pham said. “Given the budget constraints for international activities, the recognition will enable our international and U.S. partners to continue to actively collaborate with us in acoustics and autonomous sensing.”

ARL engineers receive technical cooperation award

(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)

http://go.usa.gov/vK8


By Roger Teel RDECOM Public Affairs

HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. — Stifling hot temperatures couldn’t suppress a huge wave of community enthusiasm for the annual Havre de Grace Independence Day Parade July 1.

As the heat reached 100 degrees, thousands of residents and guests lined Union Avenue for the parade of 90-plus entries. Constantly hydrating and evading the scorching afternoon sun as much as possible was the order of the day.

The Havre de Grace High School Marching

Band led things off, followed by Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty and wife, Mary.

2012 being an election year, many local, regional and state representatives -- led by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and U.S. Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger -- said hello to Harford County voters and thanked their constituents as they handed out pieces of candy to children lining the route.

Leading the Aberdeen Proving Ground contingent was Maj. Gen. Robert Ferrell, APG senior commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Kennis Dent. The two Soldiers walked the parade route with their wives, Monique and

Gloria, respectively, at their sides.RDECOM was represented by Col. Kirk

Benson, chief of staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie. Donning “full battle-rattle,” the two waved from atop an Army Cougar.

Maj. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, commander, Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Col. Jeffrey Holt, commander, Aberdeen Test Center, also rode Army vehicles. To display their patriotism, many people lining the street stood and applauded as the military rode by.

Also taking part was APG’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Sgt. Olayiwola Kugblenu, riding atop an “Army Strong” helmet float.

RDECOM represents: Happy Birthday America!

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)


RDECOM civilian engineers team with Soldiers in Afghanistan

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)


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — U.S. Army civilian engineers are deploying to Afghanistan along with Soldiers to resolve issues that hinder mission success in theater.

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Field Assistance in Science and Technology-Center, or RFAST-C, Prototype Integration Facility brings the expertise of seven engineers and two technicians directly to the battlefield, Don Jones, the team’s executive officer, said in an interview from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

“It’s the direct interface between the engineer, the machinist and the Soldier with the need that is the big difference here,” Jones said. “That’s the key to this operation -- the engineers here who can talk to the [Soldier] face-to-face, get a clear understanding of what the requirement is, and work with the machinists to make it.

“It’s hours and days versus weeks and months. They talk with the person with the requirement and say, ‘Is this it?’ They say ‘yes’ or make a small change.”

The facility is located within the 401st Army Field Support Brigade on Bagram Airfield. RFAST-C is part of the overall materiel enterprise, and the team works with joint and Army organizations, including Joint Task Force Paladin, which counters improvised explosive devices; Joint Program Office Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected Vehicles; Army Rapid Equipping Force; and Army Asymmetric Warfare Group.

RFAST-C Director Mark Oetken said a minor engineering fix can make a significant improvement for the Soldier.

“When [Soldiers] get the equipment in their hands over here, they identify what to the casual observer might seem to be small issues,” Oetken said. “Those issues actually have a huge impact on their ability to execute

the missions.“Sometimes just making a bracket a little

taller or extending it away from the vehicle a little bit mitigates a big problem that they’re having.”

Jones said the RFAST-C breaks down barriers and allows the end-users to talk with the engineers who have the expertise to improve their equipment and vehicles.

“Most requests come from enlisted Soldiers or [noncommissioned officers] who are actually working with the equipment,” Jones said. “They’ll come up with ideas. They’ll hear about us.

“We brief a lot of senior officers, [members of Senior Executive Service], and sergeants major. They tell their folks to come see us.”

One of RFAST-C’s greatest benefits is the ability to overcome obstacles created by the nine time zones and 7,000 miles that separate stateside Army engineers and technicians from Soldiers in the Middle East, Oetken said.

“We understand it much better, and we can react to it much better. Most of the things would never make it back to [the United States]. It’s a very effective way to identify and solve problems,” Oetken said.

RFAST-C’s engineers and technicians use press brakes, lathe machines, laser scanners, water jet machines, vertical milling machines, band saws and welding machines for engineering, designing and fabricating equipment upgrades.

The size and variety of the team’s equipment provides another unique capability in theater, Oetken said.

Jones said a common request is to modify equipment for the ongoing counter-improvised explosive device, or IED, mission. RFAST-C has developed three items with explosive ordnance disposal teams and JTF Paladin in support of this effort.

The team built a hootie hook, a 6-inch-long hook with a grip device on the end that

allows the TALON Robot to dig in the dirt to uncover command wires or interrogate an area that might contain an IED. EOD teams in Regional Command-Southwest requested the modification.

Jones said the RFAST-C team designed the prototype, and an RDECOM PIF in the United States is building the hooks for JTF Paladin to issue to Soldiers across Afghanistan.

“It’s relatively simple and easy to make, [but it] makes a significant impact,” Jones said.

Oetken said RFAST-C also developed a hybrid hook for the U.S. Marine Corps to investigate possible IEDs. The team re-engineered three tools into a single item that performed the same functions.

The third request, a plastic training mine to help train EOD personnel, demonstrated RFAST-C’s reachback capability to RDECOM’s research centers in the United States, Jones said. Because RFAST-C does not have a plastic-injection capability, RDECOM’s Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at APG reverse-engineered a sample training mine and is building more for JTF Paladin.

“Linking to the PIFs in the rear gives us additional capability,” Jones said. “Here on the ground we have the engineer-to-Soldier interface. Going back to the rear, we have engineer-to-engineer interface.

“We have the same modeling equipment here. We can draw on the entire RDECOM enterprise to assist as needed.”

Oetken said another recurring request from Soldiers is for minor modifications to vehicles. The RFAST-C completed improvements to the mine-resistant, ambush-protected All-Terrain Vehicle, commonly known as the MATV.

Small changes to the MATV’s headlights

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15



ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Army research and development efforts to support future Soldiers coalesce during technology-enabled capability demonstrations over the next several years, Army leaders say.

“We all know change is coming, and we are looking to position ourselves for the new environment,” said Dale Ormond, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command director. Ormond spoke to about 80 representatives from military units, government agencies and technology service providers at the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement Command and Control Summit June 26.

“RDECOM is at the front end of the materiel process, where we’re making scientific discoveries and exploiting innovation by turning ideas into technologies we can put in the hands of Soldiers,” Ormond said.

“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 RDECOM’s primary lines of effort.

“TECDs are designed to be two- to three-year efforts that encompass technology development, technology demonstration and operational evaluation. They are focused on near-term technologies brought together to demonstrate a meaningful operational improvement.

“Once the capability has been demonstrated, a decision is made whether to field that capability, transition it to a program of record, or terminate it,” Ormond said.

“TECDs put us in a position in which we are not looking to meet a specific requirements document that leads to an output that may or may not be part of an overall system. Instead, we are bringing our technology-speci f ic expertise and our systems-engineering outlook together to look across the broad spectrum of the challenge to develop and demonstrate truly integrated solutions.

“Taking a systems engineering approach to these challenges gives us the best chance to develop the agile solutions we need while realizing the efficiencies we must to deliver the best return on the Army’s investment,” he said.

The Army Science and Technology Advisory Group approved nine TECDs in December. RDECOM has a leading role in six of the nine efforts.

“It is certainly our intention to support Dr. Freeman’s approach that there are, or will be, opportunities for industry to participate

in these TECDs,” he continued. The director broached the TECDs

of Mission Command and Actionable Intelligence and noted that the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., will squire these TECDs through the development process.

Leading the CERDEC effort is John Willison, director, Command, Power &

Integration. Willison followed Ormond at the IDGA podium and discussed the TECDs of Mission Command and Actionable Intelligence in great detail for the IDGA audience.

“We are ever mindful not to overburden the

Soldier,” Willison said. “That includes both the physical load and the cognitive load.”

“As director of the Army’s S&T command, I could not ask for a clearer endorsement of the important role RDECOM plays in the future of our military. There is more specific guidance, of course, but the most salient part is that we have to find a way to succeed in creating this agile, flexible, ready, and technologically advanced force in a time of shifting mission priorities, decreasing resources and increasing emphasis on efficiencies.”

RELATED LINKSBio: http://go.usa.gov/fvH

Army R&D focuses on tech demos, affordable modernization

RDECOM Director Dale Ormond delivers the keynote address at the IDGA Command & Control Summit June 26. (U.S. Army photo by Roger Teel)

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 is at the front end of the materiel process, where we’re making scientific discoveries and exploiting innovation by turning ideas into technologies we can put in the hands of Soldiers.”

— Dale A. Ormond


Congressman, director discuss cybersecurity, research, developmentBy Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs

TIMONIUM, Md. — The U.S. military needs to concentrate on developing a robust defense system against cyber attacks from foreign adversaries, U.S. Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger said to a senior U.S. Army leader July 2.

Dale Ormond, director of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, said his communications and electronics researchers are focused on defending America against cyber threats.

“Our Communications--Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center does a lot research associated with the cyber community,” Ormond said. “We are right in the middle of it.

“We run a number of special access programs, all dealing with developing cyber tools. We are very much engaged with the [National Security Agency], Army Cyber Command, and [U.S. Cyber Command].”

Ruppersberger represents Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District and is the ranking member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence which oversees the collection and analysis of intelligence from around

the world to ensure national security and prevent terrorist activity. He also served on the House Armed Services Committee until June 26.

The 2nd Congressional District encompasses two of the state’s three Army installations -- APG and Fort Meade, which house the NSA and CYBERCOM.

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.

“In our corridor between Fort Meade, NSA and Aberdeen Proving Ground, we have an opportunity to be the leaders for the future.”

RELATED LINKSBio: http://go.usa.gov/fvL

Maryland’s 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)

RDECOM Director Dale Ormond (left) meets with U.S. Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger for the first time.

“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


RDECOM Senior NCO talks teamwork, current focusBy Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie, RDECOM’s senior noncommissioned officer, gave Public Affairs an interview July 19.

RDECOM NCO of the Year winner Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman won the Army Materiel Command NCO of the Year honor July 18. What were the highlights from the AMC competition?

“We are very proud of our NCO, Staff Sgt. Markus Whisman, the winner of the AMC competition. It is a grueling process to win.

I was one of the board members during the competition. I saw some of what the NCOs and Soldiers had to go through. The board process is a lot of questions. We did a rapid-fire questioning technique, which limits the amount of time you have to think about a question. You have to be very well studied to answer those questions.

There are six members on the board, the president [of the board] and five two-star level command sergeants major asking questions. We would ask two questions each, and it goes to the next person. There is a very limited amount of time to think and collect your thoughts. If you didn’t know the answer, you weren’t going to fair too well.

Then you have all the physical competitive areas, [including] Army Physical Fitness Test and road march. It’s a grueling process. If you come out the winner, it is absolutely a feather in your cap. You ought to be proud of yourself. We are absolutely proud of our winner. He will represent AMC at the Army’s competition. We wish him the best and hope he does very well.”

What have learned about RDECOM during your four months as the command sergeant major?

“This command is an enormous force-multiplier for the Army with regard to science and technology in support of the Warfighter.

I had an opportunity last week to visit the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center in Huntsville, Ala. They are one of our larger [research, development and engineering centers] based on portfolio and area. Just at Huntsville, they occupy about 180 buildings.

They support lifecycle management of our aircraft at Corpus Christi, Texas, and other places. In addition, we have members from within AMRDEC working at Schriever Air

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?

“It’s 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. It’s 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 don’t 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.

RDECOM doesn’t toot its own horn. We develop technology. We work on existing technology to make it better. We give them to the PMs and PEOs. They, in turn, give it to the Warfighter. As I go out and talk, they don’t know about RDECOM, which provides over 90 percent of the equipment, food and clothing.

We have to do a better job of communicating that to our Army. One of Mr. Ormond’s lines of effort is strategic communications. As I talk to Soldiers and commands, that is my message to them. I tell them what we do, how we do it and how we can do partner with them to increase their capability and lessen their frustration [with technology].

There are many times that I was frustrated with technology in the field. [I didn’t have an outlet for answers] other than the [Operational Needs Statement and Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement] process. That is an arduous process. It takes awhile to get answers. Sometimes you need answers now. I didn’t know I could call someone.

I want to fix that for the Army so they understand what we do as RDECOM. You have a partner when it comes to technology or gaps within your capabilities in battle.”

What is important for the RDECOM workforce to know?

“Once we have told [Soldiers] who RDECOM is and show them our products that we produce for them, they recognize those products and then realize what we do. [I want to let] our scientists and engineers know they are making a difference. They are making a difference in the lives of Soldiers. They are changing the way we fight battles based on the technology they have produced.”

How can enlisted Soldiers help RDECOM’s scientists and engineers provide better equipment and technology to the Army?

“Feedback. We have several outreach programs, [including] Soldier Greatest Inventions. It might not be technologically sound or have the best engineering. A Soldier might solve his own problem; they will cut metal and weld it together to make things work better for themselves.

“Getting this feedback and giving that feedback to our scientists is essential. Our scientists will take those ideas and put the engineering and scientific knowledge behind it to give them the product they are looking for.”

RELATED LINKSBiography: http://go.usa.gov/fve

Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie gives an interview July 19. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)


RDECOM Director Dale Ormond explains the command’s work to University of Delaware officials at Newark, Del., July 3. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)


NEWARK, Del. — The U.S. Army science and technology community is bolstering its relationship with the University of Delaware through research partnerships and graduate-school offerings, officials said during a meeting on the school’s 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 UD’s efforts to bring graduate education to the Army installation. APG houses RDECOM headquarters and three of the command’s 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 school’s electrical and computer engineering department and coordinator for the school’s courses at APG, said UD’s 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 master’s 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, RDECOM’s 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.

Army, University of Delaware develop research partnerships

“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 RDECOM’s 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 university’s 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 LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fvtUDel: http://www.udel.edu/

Army.mil


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)

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)


BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — A senior research and development leader spoke with Army officials here June 11-13. Army leaders in the field are seeking technology solutions for complex challenges.

“The commanders have a need for low-cost quick release systems for airdrop bundles,” said Dr. Jack Obusek, Sc.D., U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center director. “A quick release system would prevent cargo from being swept out of friendly hands when parachutes get dragged on the ground in high wind conditions.”

Army researchers have been developing prototype quick release devices and has plans to provide a substantial number to U.S. troops in Afghanistan later this year.

“We’re looking to significantly accelerate this effort and checking whether our forward deployed research center or stateside prototype facilities can produce the prototypes,” he said.

Obusek also discussed a possible far forward medical aid capability package. The research center and the PM and the medical community have recently entered full production on a modular medical package that will provide near intensive care unit-like capabilities to Soldiers serving forward.

Obusek said he received positive feedback from Soldiers on the First Strike Ration and the Army Combat Shirt -- two initiatives developed at Natick. He met with medical staff to discuss new materials for protective equipment and received many great ideas for future technology development.

Obusek leads an 800-person military and civilian workforce at NSRDEC, located in Natick, Mass. The center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command with the mission to maximize a Soldier’s survivability, sustainability, mobility and combat effectiveness.

This was Obusek’s first visit to Afghanistan since being named as the NSRDEC director in January 2011.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/vGu

NSRDEC technical director visits Afghanistan

Dr. Jack Obusek, Sc.D., U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center director. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)

“We’re looking to significantly accelerate this effort and checking whether our forward deployed research center or stateside prototype facilities can produce the prototypes”


By Chris WilliamsTARDEC 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 year’s Robotics Rodeo was co-hosted by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center; the Army Capabilities Integration Center; Fort Benning’s 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 CAPABILITIESOver 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 we’ve 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.”

JIEDDO’s partnership in the Robotics Rodeo underscored the importance of finding

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 real-world 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 we’re 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 I’ve 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 Carnegie’s 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. iRobot’s 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

Robotics Rodeo highlights life-saving technology advances

The 2012 Robotics Rodeo showcases the latest technology designed to empower, unburden and protect America’s Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo)


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The Secretary of the Army announced a new senior civilian leader for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center at Detroit Arsenal, Mich. effective Aug. 12.

Dr. Paul Rogers, Ph.D., has been appointed as TARDEC technical director.

Rogers comes to the new job from the Program Executive Office, Ground Combat Systems where he served as deputy since April 11, 2010. He previously served in leadership roles at TARDEC. In 2006, he was the deputy associate director for Mobility Research, Mobility Technology Area. In 2007, he became the executive director for research.

The Research, Development and Engineering Command’s tank and automotive center has been without a director since Dr. Grace M. Bochenek became the Army Materiel Comand chief technology officer in March. Jennifer A. Hitchcock served as acting director in the interim.

“Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rogers in his new assignment and welcome him back to the RDECOM community,” said RDECOM Director Dale A. Ormond. “I know he can count on your support as we strive to find ways to improve our support to Soldiers with innovative technology solutions.”

Rogers has a wealth of experience in the TARDEC field. In previous assignments he led the formation of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Experimentation and Assessment program to support future Tactical Wheeled Vehicle acquisition strategy.

Ormond also wanted to public recognize the contributions of the interim director.

“Jennifer Hitchcock has done a fantastic job ensuring that TARDEC maintains its critical role in supporting Soldiers by providing cutting edge technologies and engineering support to the TACOM community and the Army,” he said.

Rogers earned doctorate of philosophy in Mechanical En g i n e e r i n g - En g i n e e r i n g Mechanics from Michigan Technological University in 2004. He also earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master of Science in Engineering-Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MTU. He is a graduate of the Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army

War College. Rogers is married and has three children.

Rogers will assume his duties at RDECOM’s tank and automotive center immediately.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/vGu

RDECOM welcomes new tank, automotive technical director

Dr. Paul Rogers, Ph.D., has been appointed TARDEC technical director. (U.S. Army photo)

“Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rogers in his new assignment and welcome him back to the RDECOM community.”

— Dale A. Ormond

huge problem. To meet that need, we’ve put mesh-networking software on all First Looks and SUGVs [Small UGVs],” explained iRobot’s Orin Hoffman. “If you drive the First Look out and you need to go around a building or in a culvert, you can plug into another platform, drive it down range and it will act as a radio repeater for the First Look, letting them get deeper into the Non-Line-of-Sight Situations that are such a huge part of the counter-IED requirement. We also took the dismounted controller that ships with the First Look and now we’re able to control a family of robots. They’re all meshed together.”

Many demonstrations combined the improved technological capabilities sought by TARDEC with the ability to defeat IEDs and other threats. One such system was the Harris Robotics Red Hawk. Like other technologies on display, Red Hawk uses haptic [tactile] manipulation to provide realistic force feedback to controllers as they manipulate systems, allowing them to feel what the robot feels and more accurately defeat threats. “There are four sensors that measure the contact forces so the haptic controller exerts the same force on your hands. The operator feels that force and the motion control mimics their movement. It essentially turns the robot into an extension of your own arm,” said Harris Robotics Engineer Paul Bosscher.

“It’s targeted at the EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] mission, where you need to have precision to defeat and dismantle an IED. However, we’ve also gotten a lot of support and interest from the Chem-Bio guys who need to go in and sample things. Infantry has shown interest too -- if you need to use a robot in an area that’s a threat, you can use the robot to put a key in a lock and open the lock and access a building without putting a Soldier there.”

FUTURE PARTNERSHIPSBut the Robotics Rodeo is more than just

a science and technology demonstration -- it provides invaluable opportunities for industry and government partners to openly dialogue, understand needs and begin working toward solutions as a community. While some of the technology may not be ready-for-theater at the moment, the relationships formed at events like this become the catalyst toward matching new technologies with battlefield requirements. “The networking is overwhelmingly positive,” remarked James Mullins, an engineer with Australian academic participant Centre for Intelligent Systems Research, which also displayed new haptic control systems. “This is a cutting-edge technology and the feedback that we’re

getting is that it will take off. It’s just a matter of time.”

Many of these new technologies showcase new ways to pair Army needs with emerging capabilities. NaviStar displayed a MaxxPro Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle equipped specifically to carry EOD robots and support IED defeat missions. The system caught the eye of Army officials who talked with NaviStar representatives about using one of their most successful systems to keep Soldiers safe and more effective. “Purposeful designs are becoming more prevalent as robots have a larger position in the Army,” remarked NaviStar’s Brad Manson. “For the EOD role, the MRAP’s

very useful, because the vehicle’s designed to take an IED blast from the ground up. If you’re 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. “It’s not a marriage that just comes together naturally,” he concluded. “What I’d say to our partners in industry and academia is: ‘we can’t do it without you.’”

RELATED LINKSMore photos: http://go.usa.gov/fgQ



ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Scanning the globe for the latest technology is a continual process for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Since 1980, the Office of the Secretary of Defense has leveraged new and evolving technology through a program called Foreign Comparative Testing, or FCT. The program’s mission is to find and assess “here and now” solutions -- wherever they originate -- to meet the operational needs of American service members.

In the last 12 years, enhanced body armor from Germany; a mine-clearing system from Denmark; and a bunker-busting, multi-purpose rocket warhead from Norway were a few of the 105 items tested and deployed by U.S. forces that originated in the FCT program. Other examples include advances in lightweight body armor and lighter, longer-lasting rechargeable batteries.

Jason Craley, FCT program manager with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, said a recent project will undoubtedly curry favor with service members.

“One of the most welcomed improvements to date is a new method of processing meat rations that keeps beef and chicken as moist and tasty as anything in a local grocery store,” Craley said, referring to the recently evaluated Osmofood system.

“It is a French-developed meat processing system that uses a unique drying process to produce a delicious, ready-to-eat meat that can last for at least three years at room temperature. With a greatly expanded menu and supplemental nutrients to improve cognitive and physical performance, Soldiers will get a much needed morale boost when this hits the field,” Craley said.

“Meals, Ready to Eat will never be the same,” said William “Randy” Everett, another member of RDECOM’s International Technology Integration Team. “People may actually like them.”

Craley said the Novel Processing System has yet another benefit- American jobs.

“As a result of this project a new product line incorporating the Osmofood drying process has been installed by Georgia-based FPL Food, LLC, at their food plant in West Columbia, S.C. As a subcontractor to Osmofood, FPL will meet all Army needs for

the new meat rations from our own shores.“The program frequently opens the door to

new opportunities like this for U.S. companies back home and the jobs follow. By leveraging Intellectual Property Transfer from foreign vendors, American companies can use FCT to position themselves as a key supplier to the Army while growing their businesses at the same time,” Craley said.

By focusing solely on mature technologies, FCT acquisitions avoid the high costs associated with extended research and development. For example, the Novel Processing System for Ration Meat Items Project estimated that R&D costs to the government would have been $2 million to $3 million to develop a comparable capability from scratch, and would take at least 3 to 5 years to develop. By testing and incorporating the already mature French system, the Army avoided these upfront R&D costs and will begin supplying tastier meat to U.S. service members much sooner.

The FCT program has continually adapted to changing environments, Craley added.

“Prior to 1989 the program was referred to as the Foreign Weapons Evaluation and NATO Comparative Testing and focused initially on

DOD considers foreign technologies to save dollarsThe Army’s 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)


NATO allies,” he said. “In 1989, the program was reborn as the Foreign Comparative Testing Program with authorization from Congress. At the end of the Cold War the program broadened its scope into countries such as Korea, Australia and South Africa which have supplied life-saving technology.

“The South African-developed Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle, or Buffalo, was successfully evaluated in 2002. It uses V-shaped hull technology to counteract roadside explosives. The timing for this could not have been better as the Buffalo would go on to be used extensively throughout Iraq and Afghanistan and save lives,” Craley said.

“With the gradual withdrawal from Afghanistan and the DOD now facing a new age of fiscal austerity, the FCT program is meeting new challenges by promoting joint programs between the services and resource sharing. By doing more with less, the FCT program makes efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” Craley added.

EVALUATE AND BUYDespite a huge number of technologies to

focus on, the OSD has one clear goal for the FCT program: evaluate and buy capabilities.

“The program takes the best technology the world has to offer and puts it directly in the hands of our young men and women in the field. The program has been a tremendous asset to the Army and it has been a privilege for RDECOM to take the lead for our service,” said Thomas Mulkern, International Technology Integration Team leader overseeing the Army FCT program.

Each military branch and the U.S. Special Operations Command conduct FCT programs. Each nominates mature military or commercial products that provide a needed solution. Each service also conducts assessments and fields the technology when it is approved for acquisition.

Successes have been many, Craley said. “Since its inception, 551 FCT projects from 28

countries have been completed. Considerations such as exportability and intellectual property limitations are considered upfront during the initial proposal submission process. Successful proposals that are selected for funding have a strategy in place to address problem areas and allow the U.S. military access to critical information once an item is fielded.

“The program is an example of how NATO and other foreign partners help satisfy U.S. technology requirements or help shore up operational deficiencies,” he said.

Since the FCT program focuses on mature technologies, each project has accelerated acquisition. The program gets the world’s best technology to the field fast, normally in less than 18 months, when compared with the typical acquisition process.

There’s tremendous cost savings, too. The FCT program’s estimated savings to U.S. research and development has been $7.6 billion over 30 years, Craley said.

An acceptable FCT project must have a high technology readiness level, which means that basic research and testing must have already been completed, and the capability has already been proven in a setting similar to what will be encountered in real-world operations.

COMPETITION IS FIERCEEach year, OSD selects projects for funding. “Competition is fierce, and only a few projects

that meet strict criteria are selected,” Craley said. For Fiscal Year 2012 (Oct. 2011 to Sept. 2012),

nine FCT proposals were initiated by the Army Comparative Technology Office. Only two were selected for funding.

Foreign vendors may initiate the FCT process by soliciting U.S. embassy support or they may also hire professional consultants to broker their business with the DOD. Members of the Comparative Technology Office from the DOD may attend international trade shows specifically looking for FCT candidates, Craley said.

For Fiscal Year 2012 the Army had two FCT projects that began in late January. Synopses for the two programs follow:

The Coating for Howitzer Breech Spindles project will apply advanced mature Physical Vapor Deposition, Electroless Ni, Superfinishing technologies to refurbish 155mm Howitzer breech-spindles; analytical and firing tests conducted to validate the new process and prototype for transitions to production, replacing electroplated chrome, with improved durability, sustainability, environment benefits and at significant cost savings. This project will compare several coating and refurbishment technologies for the 155mm Howitzer-Breech Spindles. New coating technologies will mitigate wet and corrosion problems and extend the useful life of the spindles. The technology being evaluated originates from the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and The Netherlands.

The Improved Aluminum Alloys for Armored Vehicles project will verify improved aluminum alloy armors currently approved for fielding on armored vehicles. These plates are possible candidates for use in Ground Combat Vehicle, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, and new production of foreign military sales M2 Bradleys. The technology being evaluated originates from Canada and Germany.

The Army is submitting five new proposals to OSD. Selections are expected by July, and programs will start with the new fiscal year in October pending funding availability.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwO

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

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 they’re 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-C’s 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 value-added, cost-effective way of supporting the Soldier.

“All indicators are that it’s a success. We are providing a service that makes a difference to a lot of Soldiers in the field.”

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwc

Army.mil

Army.mil


Sizing up today’s SoldierBy Bob Reinert USAG-Natick Public Affairs

NATICK, Mass. — What is the true measure of today’s Soldier?

If the question were philosophical, the answer could stir some debate. From a physical standpoint, however, Dr. Claire Gordon and Cynthia Blackwell will soon provide as accurate an answer as you’re likely to find anywhere.

Gordon, Blackwell and others at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center have been working since October 2010 on ANSUR II, an anthropometric survey of 11,961 Soldiers -- including active duty, aviators, Army Reservists and National Guardsmen -- over 18 months that is expected to improve the design and fit of clothing and individual equipment. The data will also help shape future combat vehicles, aircraft and weapon systems.

When they finished collecting data in April, the NSRDEC researchers had 94 body measurements and three-dimensional surface scans for males and females gathered from numerous units across the country at 13 measuring locations.

“Literally, the Army’s been doing anthropometry since the Civil War,” said Gordon, senior research scientist in biological anthropology at NSRDEC. “Everything a Soldier wears, carries, flies, drives, rides in, work in and sleeps in depends on anthropometry.

“The Army is the most diverse user group of any kind in the world, because we’re a melting pot as a country. So we have more variability in body size and shape than anybody in the world.”

The Army hadn’t conducted a comprehensive survey of body dimensions since 1988, however, and Soldiers have evolved a great deal since then.

“All of the military are heavier, without being taller, than they were 20 years ago,” Gordon said. “That extra body fat changes the meaning of a lot of our dimensions. It’s the kind of thing you can’t forecast.”

The NSRDEC team showed great persistence in gathering data from the survey’s start Oct. 4, 2011, at Fort Hood.

“Basically, we had to plan by the half-day for the entire time frame,” said Blackwell, the project manager. “You can imagine the amount of coordination that’s required. It required a lot of innovation in our thinking,

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.”

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 I’m convinced now that with our 3D scans, and the traditional dimensions, and the way we’ve 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 it’s 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.

“We’ve got to fit them well enough to protect them, well enough that they can function in the field, and we’ve got to do it mostly right off the shelf,” Gordon said. “We have to minimize special orders because it’s too costly for the taxpayer, and we can’t afford to do that if we’re 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.

“We’re designing it now,” said Gordon of the hardware. “We’re going to field it in seven or 10 years, and it’s going to be out there for another 20. So we’re talking 30 years from now, conceivably, is the population of users we’re 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, it’s a survey like this where the rubber meets the road,” Gordon said. “It saves lives. It saves money. It saves time.”

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwa

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)

“The Army is the most diverse user group of any kind in the world, because we’re a melting pot as a country. So we have more variability in body size and shape than anybody in the world.”

— Dr. Claire Gordon

Army.mil


Defense acquisition program saves Soldiers’ livesBy Roger TeelRDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. —

When it comes to rapidly fielding equipment for an urgent American Warfighter need, a program run by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command quickly delivers the goods.

In July 2010, William “Randy” Everett of RDECOM’s International Technology Integration Team donned a shaggy, heavily camouflaged military sniper outfit, called a ghillie suit, and entered a meeting room at the Office of the Secretary of Defense Comparative Testing Office in Arlington, Va.

As Everett walked through the conference room he was met by people laughing and snickering at the odd sight.

Once calm returned, Everett, in a low and reverent voice, read aloud a letter from the commander of the Army’s 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment. The words somberly recalled how the commander had lost two Soldiers in Iraq when their ghillie suits caught on fire and they burned to death.

The letter stressed the need for a fire-resistant ghille suit and strongly recommended that the Army resource one -- pronto.

Everett had carefully chosen this moment to deliver the commander’s message to the right audience.

Within hours, a call went out to find a fire-resistant ghillie suit for military snipers. Source One, a small business in Florida, submitted a proposal to the Defense Acquisition Challenge, or DAC, program, and soon thereafter, Program Executive Office Soldier, aware of and understanding the requirement, sponsored the proposal.

Neal Nguyen, the PEO Soldier product manager for protective clothing and individual equipment, shouldered the project and collaborated closely with the RDECOM ITI Team and Source One to deliver the ghillie suit as quickly as possible.

According to Thomas Mulkern, director of RDECOM’s ITI section, Congress instituted the DAC program in 2003 to introduce “innovative and cost-saving technologies into the current acquisition programs of the Department of Defense.”

“DAC allows anyone within industry, both large and small, to propose alternatives to component, subsystems or systems level of DoD acquisition programs,” Mulkern said.

“The program’s hallmark is the ability to review commercial-off-the-shelf products and processes so the DOD can save dollars

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 small- and 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 America’s 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 DOD’s 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 LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwY

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)

Army.mil


By Joyce Brayboy ARL Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — New technologies to help the Army protect Soldiers resulted in a 2011 Presidential Rank Award for Dr. Stephen Lee, one of 12 Army winners honored Thursday in the Pentagon Auditorium.

Lee, chief scientist at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, received his award with three other Army Materiel Command recipients. The Secretary of the Army hosted the awards ceremony to celebrate this group of senior executives and senior career employees for their accomplishments.

“The [2011] recipients of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service,” according to the Office of Personnel Management.

Lee will receive a framed certificate signed by the President, a monetary award and a silver Rank Award pin. The honor is given to less than five percent of the members of the SES in any given year.

“I recognize that work across the lab enabled this recognition,” Lee said. “Real progress is a result of technical experts, and other professionals working together to bring about new capabilities for Soldiers.”

Lee’s responsibilities as chief scientist are to build international science and technology alliances; lead efforts to model materials by design; and implement research that takes into account Soldiers’ protection and lethality needs in future conflicts.

He has authored 33 scientific technical publications and two scientific books; and co-edited one other book. Nine of his publications were written since 2007.

“I did quite a few things over a few years, but what I take pride in is transitioning basic research into something revolutionary that can save Soldiers’ lives on the battlefield,” Lee said.

Before taking on his current position, Lee was the senior scientist and advisor for the Army Research Office. He developed and led a program that included the basis for

homeland security and defense in the areas of decontamination, detection, and protection.

Lee’s personal research as adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill focuses on combinatorial chemistry, catalysis, and DNA supramolecular assemblies which seek to protect Soldiers and civilians through new medical treatments of disease.

He has expertise in several areas such as analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, inorganic chemistry, and organic

chemistry.Among his accomplishments, Lee earned the

2003 and 2005 Army’s Greatest Invention Award for the Agentase Chemical Agent Detection Kit and the FIDO Explosives Detector. He was also one of the 2009 U.S. Junior Chamber Top Outstanding Young Americans.

He said it is always satisfying to have ARL’s capabilities recognized by others within the federal government.

“It is critically important to reinforce the value of the Army Research Lab in context of this award,” Lee said. “None of these capabilities would have been possible without the lab.”

Other AMC recipients of the Presidential Rank Award were: Jeffery Parsons, Army Contracting Command; Teresa Gerton, AMC headquarters; and Vincent Faggioli, AMC headquarters.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwj

Research lab chief scientist gains presidential recognition

Dr. Stephen Lee was one of four Army Materiel Command employees to be recognized with a 2011 Presidential Rank Award at the Pentagon June 28.

“What I take pride in is transitioning basic research into something revolutionary that can save Soldiers’ lives on the battlefield”

— Dr. Stephen Lee


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – RDECOM Director Dale Ormond announced June 29 that he has selected Dr. John Pellegrino as acting technical director of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

The promotion is for a four-month period and began July 1.

Pellegrino’s permanent position is Director Computational and Information Sciences Directorate within ARL.

Since his appointment to the Senior Executive Service in 1998, Pellegrino has served as the director of the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate.

Ormond said that he is looking forward to Dr. Pellegrino’s continuing contributions as an ARL leader and innovator.

Pellegrino replaced retiring ARL director Mr. John M. Miller, who stepped down in a recent ceremony.

Pe l legr ino began h is professional career as a physicist in Sep-tember 1981 at the Harry Diamond Laborato-ries.

Pellegrino also has served as the chief, Electro-Optics and Acoustics Division and associate director for sensors research. Additional appointments include chief, ARL Signal and Information Processing Division, and chief, Optical Processing Branch, Harry Diamond Laboratories.

Pellegrino is a fellow of the International Optical Engineering Society, and a Senior Member of the IEEE; he is also a member of AAAS, Sigma Xi, and the Optical Society of America. He is a recipient of the 2009 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award; twice recipient of the U.S. Army Research and Development Achievement Award (1994 and 1997), and a recipient of the Harry Diamond Laboratories Hinman Award for Technical Achievement (1986). He has authored and co-authored more than two dozen technical papers and reports, and is co-editor of the book Acousto-Optic Signal Processing.

RELATED LINKSARL: http://www.arl.army.mil

RDECOM names acting ARL technical director

Dr. John Pellegino, Ph.D., has been appointed acting ARL technical director. (U.S. Army photo)


Picatinny Lean Six Sigma teams find $94 millionBy Amy NewmanARDEC Public Affairs

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — The Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center Lean Six Sigma Competency Office held a certif ication awards ceremony June 13 to recognize the people and teams who completed projects and earned certif ication.

The efforts of the Black Belt and Green Belt teams generated a return on investment of more than $94 million in validated Life Cycle Cost Avoidance savings for the U.S. Army. There were seven Black Belt recipients and 60 Green Belt recipients from 27 projects from across ARDEC and the Program Executive Office for Ammunition.

.Project teams covered a wide range

of technical and transactional projects that ranged from developing new products and processes to improving existing products and processes. Efforts developed potential cost avoidance and savings, improved quality and customer satisfaction and reduced risk to the Warfighter.

The program continues to evolve on a journey of continuous performance improvement through sustainment of a robust LSS program that meets customer needs while meeting the Army’s LSS training and certif ication requirements.

The Lean Six Sigma Competency Office uses “Voice of the Customer” data to enhance the PEO-Ammunition and ARDEC LSS learning experience and utilization, officials said.

The office is preparing to introduce

some new courses to assist PEO-Ammunition and ARDEC personnel to better accomplish their varied missions in support of the Warfighter.

One course will be a new, two-day LSS tool overview and refresher class, which will provide an overview of LSS knowledge and tools to enhance the skills of Black Belt mentors, project stakeholders, team members and others seeking basic LSS knowledge to better develop, support and complete projects and actions.

The other course is an improved, half- day Stakeholders class to better engage project stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities for improving project f low and completion. RELATED LINKSARDEC: http://www.ardec.army.mil/

By Kimberly Bell CERDEC Public Affairs

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Upcycling is not only “en vogue,” it is also the right thing to do as Army researchers are championing reuse of drawn-down or demilitarized items to save time, money and the environment.

The Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate 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.

The M153 Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station is known as CROWS. The CROWS system gives Soldiers the ability to remotely target and fire a weapon mounted atop a vehicle. The Soldier stays safely inside the vehicle. The technology behind the system has the potential to be recycled if the CROWS is disabled.

Army engineers experimented with commercial, off-the-shelf computer hardware and developed new software control functionality needed to operate the sensors separately from the existing old CROWS electronics units.

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 Defense’s demilitarized items, saving time, money and the environment.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwQ

Army ‘upcycles,’ reuses old gear for new technologies

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)


By Heather R. Smith AMRDEC Public Affairs

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — One of the Army’s top scientists will soon be leading efforts in f luid dynamics research for the Department of Defense.

The DoD selected Dr. Roger Strawn from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s aviation and missile center to serve as computational technology area leader in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics until 2015.

The Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Office chose Strawn as one of 11 technology area leaders known for their expertise to perform strategic planning and technical coordination, and to represent their computing domain across the U.S. military.

Barry Lakinsmith, deputy director of the Aeroflightdynamics directorate where Strawn works, said Strawn is a pioneer in the use of DoD high-performance computing resources within AMRDEC’s aviation science and technology program.

“Since the 1990’s, he has developed and applied sophisticated computational analyses to model and resolve important challenges in rotary wing aeronautics,” Lakinsmith said.

Strawn is the principal investigator for the Army’s Helios software code development

project under the HPCMP’s 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 LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fwE

By Ryan Keith AMRDEC Public Affairs

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — As he received his the organizational colors, and all the responsibilities that come with them, Col. Paul D. Howard became the 28th Commander of the AMRDEC’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate.

Receiving the Colors from the outgoing Commander Col. Thomas Bryant and then transferring them to Howard was Dale Ormond, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command director.

Howard may be the new commander, but he is not new to the organization and its mission. During a previous assignment at AATD he served as the Research and Development Project Officer and Experimental Test Pilot.

Howard began his service in the Army upon receiving commission as in aviation through Georgia Tech’s ROTC program in 1989 and has since served in U.S. Army Aviation positions: platoon leader, company executive officer, battalion assistant S3, S4, company commander, and brigade S4.

After joining the Acquisition Corps in 1999, Howard served assignments in the Technology Applications Program Office; Aircraft Integration Directorate; office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology; and Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors.

Howard has earned both a bachelor of science and master of science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

His military awards and decorations include the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal, the Army Ranger Tab, Senior Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.

AATD traces its heritage to the Transportation Corps Board, which was activated at Fort Monroe in 1944 and eventually moved to Fort Eustis, Virginia in 1950.

RELATED LINKSFlickr: http://bit.ly/QbR9ry

Dr. Roger Strawn leads the High-Performance Computing Institute for Advanced Rotorcraft Modeling and Simulation at AMRDEC’s Aeroflightdynamics Directorate in Moffett Field, Calif. (Courtesy photo)

AMRDEC scientist selected as DoD leader in fluid dynamics

New commander arrives for AMRDEC directorate

Army.mil

http://go.usa.gov/v0m


AMRDEC Director Eric Edwards presents Dr. Robin Buckelew with a certificate of appreciation during her Redstone Arsenal retirement ceremony July 12. (Courtesy photo)

AMRDEC Weapons Development and Integration director retires after 45 yearsBy Heather R. Smith AMRDEC Public Affairs

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Ask those who worked with Senior Executive Service member Robin Buckelew about the legacy of her 45-year civilian career with the U.S. Army and seasoned scientists and engineers will talk about her role as a mentor and her attention to details.

Buckelew retired in July from her role as director for Weapons Development and Integration within the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center.

AMRDEC Director for Missile Development Steve Cornelius said Buckelew emphasized building expertise in the workforce and making sure young engineers had hands-on experiences that would be useful to program managers and the Army. “It takes a long time to develop that expertise, and one thing I think she did really well is that she really cared about bringing up that younger generation and giving them the opportunities to do that hands-on work where they really learn their craft.”

Buckelew was honored at a retirement ceremony July 12. “We’ll never know how many lives have been saved, how many crises averted, how many battles won as a result of the things that Dr. Buckelew and her team has done, but I can tell you this: the number is high, ” said AMRDEC Director Eric Edwards at the ceremony. “When you look back on your career, that’s quite a legacy to leave, and I think we’re all very proud of you for that.”

Buckelew began her federal service in 1967 at a coop student. In fact, it may have been her start as a young coop that led her to actively recruit students to AMRDEC and to retain 80 percent of those she recruited.

“In 1965, I enrolled at the University of Alabama,” Buckelew said, “and went to see my freshman adviser. He said, ‘Are you majoring in aerospace engineering?’ and I said ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘You’ll never make it.’ Maybe he was right, because that seems like about two minutes ago, and here I am quitting.”

She proved the adviser wrong in 1970 when she graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering. She later earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The first decade of her career was as an aerospace engineer with the U.S. Army Missile Command. In the early 1980s,

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.

“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 that’s 42.22 percent of her career.

“If you think what’s 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 you’re watching the news you see they talk about a missile strike from an unmanned system. That’s 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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“If you remember anything about me after I leave here, I’d just like it to be two things: that I listened and that I always tried to do the right thing.”

— Dr. Robin Buckelew


– TACMS, Javelin, TOW, MLRS, Guided MLRS, Patriot, any of those things – there’s 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 Directorate’s 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 Buckelew’s 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?’ She’s so thorough.”

It was Buckelew who secured Ruffin’s 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

retire, I said, ‘I know that you never told me this, but I believe that you got me promoted.’ She said, ‘I wasn’t going to tell you that either, but I did.’”

Buckelew looked into it and the paperwork was lying on someone’s desk, he said. She was questioned as to why the Army should choose Ruffin over the other applicants. “She said she came in and took all the applications, went line by line and showed how my application exceeded the rest. I said, ‘You mean to tell me you did that for me?’ I said, ‘I might have to hug you for that.’ That just touched me, when people go to bat for you like that.

“She could have just said, ‘OK I did what I should do and it’s in their court,’ but she didn’t leave it there. She’s the type of person if that she wants something to happen, she will go the extra mile and make it happen. I never will forget that.”

Buckelew entered the engineering world at a time in history when there weren’t many female engineers, especially in the Army. Steve Cornelius was division chief under Buckelew for about six months before entering Senior Executive Service and moving to Director for Missile Development. Cornelius said Buckelew made a point to be a mentor, especially to women. “She’s gone out of her way to talk to organizations and personally to other female engineers to give them perspectives on her career and advice. I think she’s done that for men as well but especially for women. When she came up in this field, that was rare, and she probably had to go through a lot. She learned a lot of lessons that she passed forward.”

Cornelius praised Buckelew’s ability to easily grasp new concepts, even those in which she was not trained. “Because of her experience and her education she’s very intellectually curious about what’s going on technically in many areas,” Cornelius said. “One thing that she brought to the table was the ability to grasp concepts that she may not be trained in formally, but because of that training she does have and a vast array of experience from a lot of different areas, she

was able to discern those issues very quickly in very complex subjects.”

One of the many women who worked under Buckelew was Julie Locker, the associate director for sensors, guidance and electronics within WDI. Locker described Buckelew as instrumental in pushing science and technology efforts for future capabilities. “Over the years, as director for WDI, Dr. Buckelew has been an advocate for advanced degrees for our workforce. Because of her efforts, many young engineers have gone on to obtain their master’s and PhDs. This, in effect, has helped secure a strong future technical capability for AMRDEC.”

Locker will also remember Buckelew’s interest and influence relative to physical fitness. “Dr. Buckelew runs at least four miles a day,” Locker shared. “She has influenced a lot of individuals within the directorate to achieve a healthier lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise.”

At the retirement ceremony, Buckelew was presented several awards, including a 45-year pin, which Edwards commented is a rare accomplishment. Other awards of note received throughout her career include the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence in 2005, and the Superior Civilian Service Award, in 1992 and again in 2006.

In addition to an outstanding Army career, Buckelew is married to retired NASA engineer William Buckelew. They raised two children, a son, Leon, and daughter, Christina. Attending last week’s ceremony was her son, two of her five grandchildren, and her husband, who was presented with the Commander’s Award for Public Service, for outstanding dedication and selfless service to AMRDEC throughout his wife’s career.

“If you remember anything about me after I leave here,” Buckelew said, “I’d just like it to be two things: that I listened and that I always tried to do the right thing.”

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/fk4

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