Landmine Warfare/Barrier - Eng Dev

Mission — Landmine Warfare/Barrier - Eng Dev source

This Program Element (PE) provides for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and demonstration of countermine systems, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) render safe, and counter improvised explosive device capabilities. Project 016: Close Combat Capabilities, covers multiple programs: Prototype Integration for Multi-Domain Operations, Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERPRS), Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation, and the Arresting Cable Release Mechanism (ACRM). Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERP-RS) will enable EOD teams to access, render safe, and dispose of explosive ordnances (EO) while removing Soldiers from the direct effects of explosive blast and fragmentation. ERP-RS consists of three modules that will mount on existing Host Unmanned Ground Vehicles (HUGVs) in EOD units: (1) Highly Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS) that has increased lift capacity and dexterity over current manipulators, using dual arm manipulation, will contribute to access, render safe, and disposal of sensitive EO, (2) a Multi-Shot Disruptor (MSD) module that provides remote selectable and precise disruption of surface laid or suspended EO, and (3) a Precision Aim Module (PAM) to provide accurate disruption of surface laid or suspended EO with the Multi-Shot Disrupter Module. These ERP-RS capabilities will provide a level of access, render safe, and disposal of EO that would currently require a Soldier to expose themselves to explosive hazards. Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation effort is a reliability enhancement to the current MICLIC system. The MICLIC is a legacy heavy minefield breaching capability consisting of a trailer mounted launcher that deploys the M58A4 Linear Demolition Charge via the MK22 Mod 4 Rocket. The system has historically suffered from poor detonation reliability traced primarily to the fuze or command wires leading to it. By eliminating the wired connections and replacing the fuze with a system based on the fielded M152 Remote Activation Munition System (RAMS), system reliability in command detonation mode will be maximized. Wireless initiation is also a key enabler for remote/robotic employment of current and future breaching systems to remove Soldiers from the breach as described in emerging breaching requirements such as the Common Engineer Chassis. If emerging requirement(s) is approved, effort will pivot to initiation system, development and integration activities on that replacement program. The Arresting Cable Release Mechanism (ACRM) is a derived requirement of the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) which employs the MICLIC ammo components. The arresting cable of the M58A4 Linear Demolition Charge is an entanglement hazard to the M1150. Currently a crew member must dismount the vehicle to remove it after M58A4 detonation which violates the crew protection requirements of the ABV. The ACRM will automatically disconnect the arresting cable while under tension, throwing the cable clear of the vehicle immediately prior to M58A4 detonation. This functionality is critical to the ABV-Remote Control System program as no vehicle operator will be available to remove the arresting cable. ACRM capability will also be a requirement for robotic breaching concepts as described in emerging requirements such as the Common Engineer Chassis. Project CS2: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Render Safe - Sets Kits and Outfits (EOD RS-SKO) provides for the demonstration and evaluation of emerging technologies within requirements trade-space and capabilities needed for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to Render Safe (RS) US and foreign ordnance and improvised explosive devices. Technical refresh of capabilities ensures Army 2030 formations maintain overmatch capability. EOD RS-SKO equips EOD teams with a suite of 11 capabilities needed to safely and effectively render safe explosive threats. Lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict show that the enemy/threat changes constantly so EOD RS-SKO capabilities must keep pace to ensure overmatch. Near term technical refresh priorities include improved load sets for the Electronic Countermeasures (Modi and AN/PLT-6(v)1) to ensure the most current threats are being countered allowing EOD Techs to safely approach/render safe explosive threats and enhanced deep-buried explosive hazard detection to allow EOD Techs to quickly and effectively clear their pathway and/or identify threats for render safe missions. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to increase commonality among information reporting and control systems. Project CS3: NGABS will increase the Warfighter lethality and mobility by optimizing Soldier protection for EOD personnel, while effectively managing all life cycle aspects of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Warfighter lethality is increased through bomb suit weight reduction utilizing extensive investments in protective material research and development. The result is material solutions that are lighter and are pieced together in a manner which increases Soldier mobility and longevity. EOD Soldier situational awareness and exposure to ballistic threats is enhanced through the NGABS HUD which allows the Soldier increased visibility under various obscurants and low/no-light situations.

Mission — Close Combat Capabilities ENG DEV source

Project 016 / Close Combat Capabilities covers multiple programs: Prototype Integration for Multi-Domain Operations, Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERP-RS), Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation, and the Arresting Cable Release Mechanism (ACRM). Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERP-RS) will enable EOD teams to access, render safe, and dispose of explosive ordnances (EO) while removing Soldiers from the direct effects of explosive blast and fragmentation. ERP-RS consists of three modules that will mount on existing Host Unmanned Ground Vehicles (HUGVs) in EOD units: (1) Highly Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS) that has increased lift capacity and dexterity over current manipulators, using dual arm manipulation, will contribute to access, render safe, and disposal of sensitive EO, (2) a Multi-Shot Disruptor (MSD) module that provides remote selectable and precise disruption of surface laid or suspended EO, and (3) a Precision Aim Module (PAM) to provide accurate disruption of surface laid or suspended EO with the Multi-Shot Disrupter Module. These ERP-RS capabilities will provide a level of access, render safe, and disposal of EO that would currently require a Soldier to expose themselves to explosive hazards. Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation effort is a reliability enhancement to the current MICLIC system. The MICLIC is a legacy heavy minefield breaching capability consisting of a trailer mounted launcher that deploys the M58A4 Linear Demolition Charge via the MK22 Mod 4 Rocket. The system has historically suffered from poor detonation reliability traced primarily to the fuze or command wires leading to it. By eliminating the wired connections and replacing the fuze with a system based on the fielded M152 Remote Activation Munition System (RAMS), system reliability in command detonation mode will be maximized. Wireless initiation is also a key enabler for remote/robotic employment of current and future breaching systems to remove Soldiers from the breach as described in emerging breaching requirements such as the Common Engineer Chassis. If emerging requirement(s) is approved, effort will pivot to initiation system, development and integration activities on that replacement program. The Arresting Cable Release Mechanism (ACRM) is a derived requirement of the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) which employs the MICLIC ammo components. The arresting cable of the M58A4 Linear Demolition Charge is an entanglement hazard to the M1150. Currently a crew member must dismount the vehicle to remove it after M58A4 detonation which violates the crew protection requirements of the ABV. The ACRM will automatically disconnect the arresting cable while under tension, throwing the cable clear of the vehicle immediately prior to M58A4 detonation. This functionality is critical to the ABV-Remote Control System program as no vehicle operator will be available to remove the arresting cable. ACRM capability will also be a requirement for robotic breaching concepts as described in emerging requirements such as the Common Engineer Chassis.

Mission — Render Safe Sets Kits and Outfits (RS-SKO) source

Project CS2: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Render Safe - Sets Kits and Outfits (EOD RS-SKO) provides for the demonstration and evaluation of emerging technologies within requirements trade-space and capabilities needed for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to Render Safe (RS) US and foreign ordnance and improvised explosive devices. Technical refresh of capabilities ensures Army 2030 formations maintain overmatch capability. EOD RS-SKO equips EOD teams with a suite of 11 capabilities needed to safely and effectively render safe explosive threats. Lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict show that the enemy/threat changes constantly so EOD RS-SKO capabilities must keep pace to ensure overmatch. Near term technical refresh priorities include improved load sets for the Electronic Countermeasures (Modi and AN/PLT-6(v)1) to ensure the most current threats are being countered allowing EOD Techs to safely approach/render safe explosive threats and enhanced deep-buried explosive hazard detection to allow EOD Techs to quickly and effectively clear their pathway and/or identify threats for render safe missions. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to increase commonality among information reporting and control systems.

Mission — Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS) source

Funding in this project supports the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (CFT). The NGABS program directly contributes to Soldier lethality and ground force commander freedom of maneuver by providing next generation sensor and optics in the cutting-edge Heads-Up-Display (HUD) while integrating the Government's latest investments in protective material for the modular, scalable NGABS bomb suit development. NGABS will increase the Warfighter survivability and mobility by optimizing Soldier protection for EOD personnel, while effectively managing all life cycle aspects of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Warfighter lethality is increased through bomb suit weight reduction utilizing extensive investments in protective material research and development. The result is material solutions that are lighter and are pieced together in a manner which increases Soldier mobility and longevity. EOD Soldier situational awareness and exposure to ballistic threats is enhanced through the NGABS HUD which allows the Soldier increased visibility under various obscurants and low/no-light situations.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (7)