Army to recognize greatest inventions of 2007

[Woodmonkey]

Senior Army leaders will recognize the Army’s “Top 10 Greatest Inventions of 2007” during an awards ceremony Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va.

Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody and Gen. Benjamin Griffin, commander of Army Materiel Command, are scheduled to attend the event along with senior Army science and technology leaders, according to a press release.

“This program highlights those outstanding winning technologies selected by the war fighter that meet Army goals, enhance esprit de corps across the research and development and war fighter communities and promote public awareness of Army [research and development] community successes in support of the war fighter,” Griffin said in the press release.

Nominations for the program were submitted from the Army’s laboratory community, and the 10 winning programs were selected based on their impact on Army capabilities, inventiveness and potential benefit outside the Army.

The 10 selected programs are:

• Damage Control Resuscitation of Severely Injured Soldiers, 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.

• Unmanned Aircraft System Shadow 200 Communications Relay System, Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center

The CRS enhances two-way communications when operating beyond the normal 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.

• Reconnaissance Vehicle System, Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center

The 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.

• Objective Gunner Protection Kit, Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

The 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-degree ballistic protection allows visibility for situational awareness without compromising effectiveness, reliability and lethality. More than 8,000 kits were fielded in 2007.

• XM982 Excalibur Precision Guided Extended Range Artillery Projectile, Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Excalibur, the world’s first 24/7 precision-strike capability for field artillery, provides precision guided, extended range capability through a navigation system that automatically updates itself.

• M110 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Sniper System, Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

The sniper system delivers precision, rapid fire on targets and enables the execution of operational missions that are not possible using the current weapon system. The weapon’s high capacity, configurable ammunition and quick change magazines enable increased rates of fire and precision lethality against personnel and light materiel targets.

• Picatinny Blast Shield for Light Armored Vehicle, Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

The system is a modular protective solution that protects vehicle commanders from small arms fire and fragmentation from explosive devices. The system mounts onto armored vehicles to provide front, side and rear protection, and the transparent armor provides complete weapons integration and full visibility.

• Self Protective Adaptive Roller Kit, Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center

The kit provides additional protection to vehicle and crew against pressure activated or victim operated explosive devices.

• HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer, Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center

The trainer teaches soldiers how to react in a vehicle rollover by training them on how to open safety restraints and exit a Humvee from various positions. The training also helps soldiers overcome the natural fear and panic associated with rollovers. The training is now required of all soldiers, and survival rates for rollovers have increased since the training was required.

• Improvised Explosive Device Interrogation Arm, Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center

The arm, operational from inside mine protected vehicles, can detect metal, lift objects and perform shallow digging. A camera on the arm allows the operator to view objects at the end of the arm, providing a higher level of visibility and survivability for soldiers.

The Source