technology and installed the first unit in January 2011.


CAIMAN EXPLOSIVELY FORMED PENETRATOR ADD-ON-ARMOR KITS Te U.S.


Army Tank


Arsenal, IL, which completed production and shipped the remaining kits to theater by mid-September.


Automotive


Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) invented an armor package that is easily integrated into mul- tiple variants of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles with little modification to existing armor. Te new package better protects the driver and commander sides of the vehicle as well as the gunner’s high position, which previously was vulnerable to explosively formed penetrator attacks.


A collaborative group tackled the urgent request, creating concepts


in less than


48 hours and using small, cost-effective standard panels that allow for quick replacement of damaged armor. Team members included TARDEC’s Center for Ground Vehicle Development and Integration, G2 Security, and Ground Systems Survivability; and PM MRAP within PEO Combat Support and Combat Service Support.


Because time was not available to test the effectiveness of the new armor, the smaller armor panels were designed similar to the current, proven produc- tion armor. Te standard welded bosses were replaced with bolted bosses, which reduced production time and eliminated warping of the aluminum plate without compromising performance.


Te first prototype kit was fabricated and shipped to Iraq in June 2011, fol- lowed by 100 more in July, all in support of Operation New Dawn. An additional 1,140 kits were required on an accelerated schedule, so PM MRAP turned to Blue Grass Army Depot, KY, and Rock Island


SOLDIER GREATEST INVENTION In addition to the top 10 AGI awards, the Army has a special award that recognizes a Soldier’s contribution.


Te 2011 Soldier Greatest Invention is the Small Unit Tactical Light, created by CPL Buddy Jacobucci of Brighton, CO.


Now retired from the Army, Jacobucci served with Bravo Company, 4th Bat- talion, 31st


Infantry Regiment, 2nd


Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Te motion- activated, infrared floodlight, which is camouflaged like a rock to blend in with the surroundings, can be positioned to illuminate target areas when motion is detected, using a 12-volt DC passive motion sensor. A thermal imaging sen- sor is encased in the motion sensor to pick up objects that emanate substan- tial heat, such as a person, large animal, or vehicle.


Te device has a day/night photoelectric sensor, automatically switching off dur- ing the day to conserve battery life.


Placed along the perimeters of avenues of approach and at points identified by vulnerability reports, the infrared light enables the occupying force to see the target or enemy with night vision gog- gles, without alerting those being seen. Tis helps to extend security perim- eters and allows the on-guard Soldier to determine whether activity is from friendly, enemy,


or animal sources.


According to Jacobucci, the Small Unit Tactical Light increases


readiness,


vivability, capability, lethality, and situational awareness.


sur-


CONCLUSION Te AGI awards program is designed to encourage and reward those fighting the war from research laboratories throughout the Army to develop the best solutions for the Soldier. Nominations come from across the Army and reflect innovation, progress, and the Army’s commitment to developing, acquiring, and fielding lethal, cutting-edge equipment that can sustain the success and safety of its greatest asset: the Soldier.


Dale Ormond, Director of the U.S. Army


Research, Development, and


Engineering Command (RDECOM), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Materiel Command, commended the scientists,


engineers, and inventors


for their efforts to empower, unbur- den, and protect Soldiers. “All of the nominated inventions demonstrate sig- nificant contributions to the warfighter. Te 2011 award winners demonstrated significant impact


to Army capabili-


ties, potential benefits outside of the Army, and inventiveness.”


For more information, contact Thomas Haduch at 410-306-4826 (DSN 458- 4826) or thomas.w.haduch.civ@mail.mil; or Jo Cozby at 410-306-4821 (DSN 458- 4821) or maria.b.cozby.civ@mail.mil).


MS. TERESA MIKULSKY PURCELL provides contractor support through SAIC for the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of California at Berkeley.


MR. DAN LAFONTAINE provides con- tract support to the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command through BRTRC. He has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Richmond.


ASC.ARMY.MIL


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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY


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