AUSA 2014: Seen & Heard on Day 2

The Project Manager for the Stryker Brigade Combat Team has received Army Acquisition Executive approval for  procurement of  a  4th brigade of Stryker Double V-Hull vehicles. The procurement for the 4th brigade will not exceed 360 vehicles, and the Army expects to execute the entire procurement during fiscal years 2016-2018 (subject to availability of funding).


The US Army has given AeroVironment (AV) multi-million dollar orders to provide spare parts for RAVEN and PUMA AE unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Delivery of the spare parts is expected to occur within the next 12 months.

"Recapitalising the Army's large fleet of RAVEN and PUMA AE systems ensures that soldiers have the most effective and reliable small UAS available to support them, wherever and whenever required," said Roy Minson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AV's UAS business segment. "With AeroVironment-original spare parts and upgrades, operators can continue to rely on our combat-proven solutions to deliver better information, on-demand, and help them operate more safely and effectively."

The RQ-11B and RQ-20A are small, hand-launched tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used for reconnaissance and surveillance. They were used in Iraq and  Afghanistan. AV says the two new contracts for spare parts, worth a combined total of about $27.2 million, brings company orders for parts and upgrades for the systems since May to $77.6 million.


The US military has ordered more rugged tablets from Xplore Technologies for use in field data collection. The tablet ordered is the iX104C5 M1 ultra-rugged Windows tablet. It is certified MIL-STD-810G, rated dust and waterproof IP67, and can withstand repeated seven-foot drops. The tablet features Intel's Core i7 processor, a sunlight readable display and glove-touch technology.

"This order is the latest in a series of purchase orders from this U.S. military program involving the delivery of several thousand devices for use in an important field program where conditions can be harsh and unforgiving," said Mark Holleran, Xplore's President and CEO. "We believe Xplore's ultra-rugged tablet solution is the best tablet for use in military deployments -- whether supporting special operations, managing workflows on the flight line or delivering real-time data to mobile field units."

Xplore did not detail the value of the contract received but said it was a "multi-million dollar purchase order."


The US Army Reserve is fielding M1271 Medium Flail Mine Clearing Vehicles that use a motorised flail system to safely detonate land mines. The system used on the M1271 consists of 72 chains with fist-sized balls, or hammers, at the end of the chains. As the vehicle drives backwards over an area, the flail rotates and the chains dig into the ground tearing mines apart or detonating them. A steel deflector shield protects the M1271 and its driver from blast pressure and mine fragments.  The Army reserve said the first two vehicles have been given to a unit in Arkansas.


At Fort Benning, Georgia, AL defence contractors were competing to provide the latest technologies to defeat IEDs. The Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) partnered with the US Army Research Lab and the Maneuver Battle Lab, at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft. Benning, to host a “Culvert Denial Challenge,” which began 29 September and run until 10 October. Ten teams were doing a surveillance challenge, and 10 are doing an inspection challenge. For the surveillance challenge, vendors make use of unmanned systems, micro-radar technologies, seismic sensors, and hyperspectral imaging. They are monitoring a culvert for an eight-hour period that encompasses day, evening and night hours.

Vendors in the inspection challenge are demonstrating potential solutions using quadcopters, ground robots, canines, and electromagnetic sensors. They are tasked with various scenarios such as difficult terrain, night inspection, and a long culvert that challenges communication links.

This challenge-based acquisition project promotes innovation, Vendors demonstrate their capabilities as they vie to work under an existing $49.5 million contract. JIEDDO will decide its next step after the competition is complete and evaluations have been made. A decision could be made approximately 30 days after the competition. At that time, JIEDDO could decide to move quickly on a technology, or even seek out improvements in a certain technology.

The surveillance teams are: Advanced Recon Corp, Applied Research Associates, A-T Solutions, CyPhy Works, EFW (Elbit), L-3 Communications, Niitek, Primal Innovation, QinetiQ, and Roboteam.

The inspection teams are: Applied Research Associates, ATSC (Inuktun), iRobot, K2 Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Pearson Engineering, QinetiQ, Roboteam, Science and Engineering Services, and Stolar Research.


The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 160 Navistar Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to include (110 MaxxPro DASH DXM, 30 MaxxPro BASE DXM, 10 MaxxPro DASH DXM Ambulances, and 10 MaxxPro Recovery Vehicles with protection kits), spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and equipment training, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $198 million.


Exelis has been awarded a contract valued at $8 million to provide the US Army with Generation 3 night vision equipment. The award is under the US Army-managed OMNI VIII indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract awarded to Exelis in 2011. Delivery for this latest order is scheduled to take place during late 2014 and early 2015.

SENVG is a refined version of the ENVG, the first night vision goggle in production to provide fusion (via optical overlay) of I2 and IR imagery.

Exelis Gen 3 night vision equipment is designed for a variety of night operations conducted by the Army. Gen 3 tube technology provides the soldier with great visibility and mobility in low-light conditions to ensure mission effectiveness.

“As a cost effective manufacturer of high reliability night vision goggles, Exelis continues to provide the US military and our international allies with advanced Generation 3 night vision technology,” said Nick Bobay, President and General Manager of Exelis Night Vision and Communications Solutions. “We are pleased that the Army has chosen Exelis based on our ability to deliver superior capability at affordable prices.”


Bell Helicopter , a Textron company, showcases the full scale Bell V-280 VALOR mockup at AUSA, giving an up-close look at the advanced tiltrotor and have the chance to learn more about the next generation of vertical lift.

The clean-sheet Bell V-280 is designed to cover ground twice as quickly as any existing platform. The tiltrotor leverages vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability into a strategic and tactical advantage for battle planning. Bell Helicopter has invested heavily in the next generation tiltrotor—the Bell V-280 VALOR.

"Participating in AUSA gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the US Army,” said John Garrison, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. “The Bell V-280 programme is focused on moving forward to build and fly a trusted, affordable and effective aircraft as part of the continuing Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD), the precursor to Future Vertical Lift (FVL).”

“It is a great testament to Team Valor that we were selected to build and fly the V-280 VALOR,” said Garrison. “The V-280 is a platform that can and will redefine military doctrine in the future. The ability to self-deploy up to 2100nm with a single refueling when paired with the cruise speed of 280 KTAS (322mph ) will allow military planners to literally rewrite the book on battle planning and forward operations. We are confident in our design, and we look forward to demonstrating V-280 capabilities in the months and years ahead.”

Te RA-1 is Airborne Systems' latest advanced ram-air parachute system, having received type classification by the US DoD and utilising the INTRUDER canopy.  Beginning 2014, the US Army has replaced the MC-4 free fall parachute system.

BAE Systems showcases a full range of solutions at booth #1225 and at the Carnegie Library.

To support the Army’s Force 2025 Vision, BAE Systems is leveraging investments made across the service’s combat programmes. Soldier systems reduce equipment burdens and consolidates power supplies. To ease the burden of heavy, bulky equipment carried by dismounted soldiers, BAE Systems’ next-generation Broadsword Soldier System is designed for modern soldiers, consolidating and tightly integrating the power sources and components they need to carry out their missions. This low-volume, low-weight system includes a revolutionary e-textile SPINE with conductive yarns that eliminate the usual wired harness and the need to carry multiple battery types for powering or recharging equipment. This flexible fabric power-and-data distribution network, which can withstand holes, rips, and burns, also includes a series of connection points for transmitting and receiving data as well as power. In addition to the Broadsword Soldier System and e-textile SPINE, products on display include helmet-mounted displays, such as the digital STRIKER II and Q-WARRIOR; a range of thermal imaging and aiming products; and precise handheld targeting systems, including TRIGR.
Soldiers’ ability to communicate and coordinate with each other is one of the most powerful weapons in their arsenal. That’s why BAE Systems is constantly working to help reduce the soldier’s load while providing a real-time link to the information and communication they need to be successful. Products and services highlighted during the exposition include the TacNet Tactical Radio and the ASN-128D Doppler/GPS Navigation Set.

BAE Systems develops advanced weapon system technology and platform improvements to meet the toughest mission requirements. In addition to the Future Technology Demonstrator with Integrated Directed Energy Weapon on display, BAE Systems showcases a Crew Station Simulator equipped with the Commander’s Independent Weapon Station, E-X Drive Transmission, and Energy Storage System.




BAE Systems has a proven history of providing threat detection, integrated processing, and advanced threat countermeasures for superior protection against guided and unguided threats to rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Threat management solutions on display include the Common Missile Warning System, the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure system, and the Common Infrared Countermeasures system. Precision guidance systems including the APKWS laser-guided rocket and Silver Bullet precision guidance kit are also on display.

BAE Systems provides real-time intelligence analysis and secure information sharing services to support the US Army and its troops deployed around the world. The BAE Systems booth exhibits a variety of Geospatial eXploitation Products, including SOCET GXP and GXP Explorer; and the company’s enhanced information sharing capabilities, such as its Cybersecurity Products and Virtual Desktop Solution.