FORT BELVOIR, Va. - The commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel
Command, the U.S. Army vice chief of staff and other senior Army
science and technology leaders will recognize the U.S. Army's "Top Ten
Greatest Inventions of 2007 " in an awards ceremony June 12 at the
Hyatt Crystal City - Arlington, Va.
"This program highlights those outstanding winning technologies
selected by the Warfighter that meet army goals; enhance esprit de
corps across the research and development and Warfighter communities;
and promote public awareness of Army R&D community successes in
support of the Warfighter," said Gen. Benjamin Griffin, commander, Army
Materiel Command.
The Army-wide awards program is dedicated to recognizing the best
technology solutions for the Soldier. Nominations for the program were
submitted from across the Army laboratory community. Nine of the 10
ricipients are elements of the U.S. Army Research Development and
Engineering Command.
The Army -- from active duty divisions to the Training and Doctrine
Command to the Army's vice chief of staff -- chose the ten winning
programs based upon their impact on Army capabilities (breath of use
and magnitude of improvement over existing systems), inventiveness, and
potential benefit outside the Army.
Like previous years, there are no differentiating categories so that a variety of inventions could be recognized.
Each of the 10 selected teams will receive an award; the other
nominated team members will receive certificates of participation.
The U.S. Army Greatest Inventions Program selections are:
* Damage Control Resuscitation of Severely Injured Soldiers
U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research
Since its fielding in January 2007, Damage Control Resuscitation - the
new standard of care for the most severely injured Soldiers requiring
massive transfusions - has dramatically improved survivability. By
limiting fluid resuscitation, the patient's blood pressure is
stabilized to minimize renewed bleeding from recently formed blood
clots. Blood volume is restored by using plasma as the primary
resuscitation fluid along with packed red blood cells. The magnitude of
improvement has been likened to the improvement after the introduction
of antibiotics to medical care.
* Unmanned Aircraft System Shadow 200 Communications Relay System
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center
The CRS enhances "two-way" communications when operating beyond the
normal operating limits of standard single-channel ground and system
radios. Enhancements include improved situational awareness,
call-for-fire capability throughout theater, and "imminent danger"
communication to Soldiers as seen on video by ground station operators.
Successful CRS configuration deployments include: boom mounted Advanced
System Improvement Program (ASIP) radio CRS and wingtip extension
handheld PRC-152 radios.
* Reconnaissance Vehicle System
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center
The RECCE Vehicle system combines explosive device detection, defeat,
and interrogation capabilities onto a single integrated platform. It
increases the safety of Soldiers performing route clearance by enabling
them to accurately observe and engage threats from greater distances.
Combining the Combat Engineers' skills with the RECCE system's unique
collection of capabilities has led to tremendous route clearance
success.
* Objective Gunner Protection Kit
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
The Objective Gunner Protection Kit provides a common force protection
system capable of simple integration onto multiple vehicle platforms.
Its integrated turret is mounted onto tactical and armored vehicles for
increased Force Protection from explosive device fragmentation and
enemy small arms fire. The 360° ballistic protection allows visibility
for situational awareness without compromising system effectiveness,
reliability, and lethality. The unique asymmetric geometry enables
proper engagement of the primary weapon. More than 8,000 kits were
fielded in CY07.
* XM982 Excalibur Precision Guided Extended Range Artillery Projectile
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
Excalibur, the world's first 24/7 precision-strike capability for Field
Artillery, ushered in the 21st century for cannon artillery. It
provides precision guided, extended range capability. Precision
guidance and revolutionary accuracy (compared to all conventional
artillery projectiles) is achieved through an automatic update of the
navigation system. Along with increased survivability, Excalibur
provides the Army Warfighter with unmatched precision and lethality for
artillery projectiles critical to urban warfare where the risk of collateral damage is extremely high.
* M110 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Sniper System
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
The M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) delivers precision, rapid
fire on targets and enables execution of operational missions not
possible using the current weapon system. High capacity, ammo
configurable, quick change magazines enable suppressed, increased rate
of fire precision lethality against personnel targets and light
materiel targets. This capability allows for more rapid and focused
engagements on several targets with multiple follow-on shots. The SASS
is the first U.S. Army weapon system that integrates a quick
attach/detach sound suppressor to aid with Warfighter survivability.
* Picatinny Blast Shield for Light Armored Vehicle
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
The Picatinny Blast Shield (PBS) system is a modular protective
solution that protects vehicles commanders from small arms fire and
fragmentation resulting from explosive devices. The PBS system mounts
onto armored vehicles to provide front, side and rear protection.
Transparent armor is utilized to provide complete weapons integration
and full visibility through the shield without compromising protection.
The PBS system was designed, developed and fielded in response to a
USMC Light Armored Vehicle Operational Advisory Group requirement for
survivability upgrades.
* Self Protective Adaptive Roller Kit
U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center
The Self Protective Adaptive Roller Kit (SPARK) provides additional
standoff protection to vehicle and crew against pressure-activated or
victim operated explosive devices. SPARK can be installed either in
various configurations for greater coverage.
* HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer
U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center
The HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) teaches Soldiers how to
react in a vehicle rollover situation by properly and safely training
them on how to open safety restraints and exit a HMMWV from a variety
of rotated positions. The training also helps Soldiers overcome the
natural fear and panic associated with rollover incidents. Training
with the HEAT, now the U.S. Army standard for egress training, is
required for all Soldiers. Survival rate after a rollover incident has
increased since this training requirement was instituted.
* Improvised Explosive Device Interrogation Arm
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center
Completely operational from inside mine protected vehicles, the
Interrogation Arm provides a standoff detection capability and can
detect metal, free lift and pry lift objects, and perform shallow
digging. A camera also allows the operator to view objects at the end
of the arm. Soldiers receive extensive training on how to operate the
arm. Interrogation of suspect threats using the arm provides a higher
level of survivability for vehicle crews.
Source and credits :
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/05/28/9458-greatest-army-inventions-of-2007-announced/
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