military technology

August 15, 2008 - Spc. Raymond Poltera, a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operator with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, launches an RQ-7B Shadow 200 TUAV on Camp Taji, Aug. 11. The Shadow provides commanders on the ground throughout the MND-B area of operations the ability to quite literally see the entire battlefield. Photo by Sgt. Jason Dangel.

The first U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom, the inaugural ship in a new class of U.S. Navy surface warships, is seen conducting a speed run during Builders Trials, Marinette, Wis., Aug. 4, 2008. The ship is designed for littoral, or close-to-shore, operations and to provide access and dominance in coastal-water areas. Courtesy photo by Lockheed Martin.

RADAR RANGE - U.S. Army paratroopers set up the Sentinel Radar System at Forward Operating Base Sword, on Fort Polk, La., during a training event, July 31, 2008. The Sentinel Radar System can determine what type of aircraft is within a vicinity of 40 kilometers. The paratroopers are assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Air Defense Airspace Management. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Derek Kuhn.

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 6, 2008) A Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) fires 20mm rounds during a Pre-aim calibration evolution aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew A. Hepburn/Released)

July 30, 2008 - A few Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division received their first glimpse of the Vcommunicator (pictured), an iPod-based translation device, during a demonstration of the new capability at Fort Hood, Texas July 21-22. The Vcommunicator is designed to aid troops with the challenges of interacting with local populations in foreign countries by giving Soldiers access to hundreds of different phrases in languages like Arabic along with cultural awareness tips and gestures. The capability itself consists of two main parts including an iPod-type device (left) that connects to a speaker (right) and the system can be attached to a Soldier's arm with straps included with the kit. Other pieces to the kit include a pouch for storing the device and a solar charger. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs.

GULF OF MEXICO (Aug. 5, 2008) A GOES-12 infrared satellite image provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, Calif., showing the status of Tropical Storm Edouard at approximately 4:00 am EST. Edouard made landfall near Port Arthur, Texas, as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph and higher gusts. It is moving west-northwest at 14 mph. The storm is expected to weaken as it continues into Texas. U.S. Navy photo (Released)

MARINETTE, Wis. (July 30, 2008) The first U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), the inaugural ship in an entirely new class of U.S. Navy surface warships , is seen underway during day two of Builders Trials. The ship is designed for littoral, or close-to-shore, operations and to provide access and dominance in coastal-water areas. (Photo provided courtesy Lockheed Martin /Released)

An artist rendering of the Zumwalt class destroyer DDG 1000, a new class of multi-mission U.S. Navy surface combatant ship designed to operate as part of a joint maritime fleet, assisting Marine strike forces ashore as well as performing littoral, air and sub-surface warfare. (U.S. Navy photo illustration/Released)

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft takes off July 17 from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Reaper can loiter over battlefields or targets for hours at a time without refueling and carries up to 3,750 pounds of laser-guided munitions, giving ground commanders unprecedented situational awareness and the ability to bring the right amount of force to bear on a target. The Reaper, deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew its first combat mission over Iraq July 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Lisum)

One drone is launched next to another from the U.S. Navy's amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga during a scheduled missile exercise, in Singapore, June 26, 2008. The drone was shot down with a missile launched from the Republic of Singapore ship RSS Endeavour as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. CARAT is an annual series of maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asian nations. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. James Ridgway...

A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration joint-test assembly launches May 22 from North Vandenberg Launch Facility-10 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch was an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 5,250 miles before hitting its pre-determined target in a broad ocean area 230 nautical miles southwest of Guam. (U.S Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Prost)

PROPLUSION TESTING - A Pratt and Whitney F100 engine, the powerplant for the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, undergoes sea level testing in Arnold Engineering Development Center's Propulsion Development Test Cell J-2 on Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn, April 30, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo...

PHOTO CREDIT INSERT: Communications pipes will expand to meet future demand - Photo by Russ Meseroll - March 07, 2008 Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment Two test vehicle awaits movement instruction during the WIN-T technology demonstration at Naval Air Engineering Station in Lakehurst, N.J., Nov 7.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jan. 4, 2008) The high-speed vessel (HSV 2) Swift is moored pier-side at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek before departing for the western coast of Africa. While in Africa, Swift will take part in the Global Fleet Station (GFS), Africa Partnership Station (APS) Initiative, for the purpose of strengthening cooperative partnerships with regional maritime security. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Jones (Released)

Northern Arabian Gulf (Oct. 10, 2003) -- High Speed Vessel Two (HSV-2) navigates the waters off the coast of Southern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. HSV-2 is one of three similar ships in its class. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks. (RELEASED)

TACOMA, WASH. The Army's new Stryker armored vehicles are headed for their first operational assignment -- service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Vehicles of the Fort Lewis-based Stryker Brigade Combat Team began rolling onto ships today at the port of Tacoma, Wash. The Stryker vehicles and related equipment will support 3,600 soldiers from the I Corps' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division who will begin their assignment in Iraq in a few weeks. (Information by John Randt, MTMC Public Affairs.) Army News Service More

By Pfc. Brian Trapp FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, Oct. 7, 2003) -- Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab's lightweight shotgun system is undergoing operational inspection and test firing for 200 shotguns to be fielded to the 10th Mountain Division for future use in Afghanistan. The 10th Division will field the lightest variation of the 12-gauge shotgun system, which attaches under the M-4 carbine and weighs 2 pounds, 11 ounces - less than the M-203 grenade launcher. A stand-alone version can be converted from the attachable version. It has a pistol grip and a butt stock. The stand-alone version weighs 4 pounds, 3 ounces and is 24 inches long, collapsed. The big advantage to the lightest variation is that Soldiers don't have to sling their primary weapon to use it. MORE

Marine snipers have found a new best friend. The Marine Corps has upgraded the old sniper rifle, the M-40A1, replacing it with a new and improved rifle. The M-40A3 will fully replace the M-40A1 by October 2004, said Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Bier, Full Story

Capt. John Dean fires an AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided missile during a weapons-evaluation mission over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 12. Dean is an F-15 Eagle instructor pilot assigned to the 1st Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. U.S. Air Force photo

FORT BENNING, Ga. (Army News Service, Sept. 15, 2003) -- For years, the Army has used image intensification technology and thermal viewing technologies. Now, an experimental goggle may combine both technologies to give soldiers an edge on the battlefield.The Army research lab has been experimenting with prototypes of goggles that combine image intensification technology and thermal viewing technology.

“There are three companies that have created prototypes, and all three are using the same technology, but in different ways,” said Mark Bylan, project manager for sensors and lasers at the Army Research Lab. The lab is using two existing goggle types as a comparison for the prototypes: the AN/PVS-7 Binocular and the AN/PVS-14 Monocular. MORE

Groton, Conn. (Aug. 5, 2003) -- The Navy’s newest and most advanced submarine, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Virginia (SSN 774) moved out doors for the first time in preparation for her Aug. 16 christening. Photo courtesy Electric Boat. (RELEASED)

The development and eventual fielding of the Army Future Combat System (FCS) by 2010 is a key step in transforming the Army. Developing a system in seven years that will transform the current heavy force to a force that deploys in a matter of hours, will be challenging.

Two companies are serving together as FCS Lead System Integrators, the Boeing Corporation and the Scientific Application International Corporation (SAIC). Boeing and SAIC will lead 15 subcontractors in developing the Army's FCS. MORE

Washington, D.C. (Jun. 6, 2003) -- Artist’s concept of the 210-meter (689 feet) DD(X) destroyer design by a Northrop Grumman Corporation-led team selected by the U.S. Navy to complete the system design for the Navy's advanced, 21st century surface combatant DD(X). U.S. Navy graphic. (RELEASED)

Washington, D.C. (Jun. 6, 2003) -- Artist’s concept of CVN 21 one of a new class of aircraft carriers. A new nuclear propulsion plant will power the next class of aircraft carriers. The new plant will require fewer operators thereby lowering life-cycle costs, and will provide increased electrical power that will be available for the demands of developing technology. Smart sensors will assist in further reducing Navy watch standing requirements and in automating damage control functions such as detecting fire and flooding situations. Flight deck redesign and a transition to an advanced aircraft recovery system (AARS) will reduce crew workload, enhance safety and reduce the costs of operating and maintaining a carrier throughout its planed 50-year life cycle. U.S. Navy graphic. (RELEASED)

CARSON CITY, Nev. (April 17, 2008) The combat tactical vehicle technology demonstrator (CTV-TD) is undergoing automotive testing at the Nevada Automotive test Center (NATC) in Carson City. Built under contract for the Office of Naval Research, the CTV-TD is a test bed for the joint light tactical vehicle family of vehicles. The CTV-TD offers several advantages and new technologies, including adjustable ride height, central tire inflation system, an integral rollover protection system and improved survivability over the current Humvee. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams (Released)

China Lake, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2002) -- A Tactical "Tomahawk" Block IV cruise missile, conducts a controlled flight test over the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) western test range complex in southern California. During the second such test flight, the missile successfully completed a vertical underwater launch, flew a fully guided 780-mile course, and impacted a designated target structure as planned. The Tactical Tomahawk, the next generation of Tomahawk cruise missile, adds the capability to reprogram the missile while in-flight to strike any of 15 preprogrammed alternate targets, or redirect the missile to any Global Positioning System (GPS) target coordinates. It also will be able to loiter over a target area for some hours, and with its on-board TV camera, will allow the war fighting commanders to assess battle damage of the target, and, if necessary redirect the missile to any other target. Launched from the Navy's forward-deployed ships and submarines, Tactical Tomahawk will provide a greater flexibility to the on-scene commander. Tactical Tomahawk is scheduled to join the fleet in 2004. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

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At sea aboard USS Stethem (DDG 63) – A Tactical Tomahawk Cruise Missile launches from the guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) during a live-warhead test. The missile traveled 760 nautical miles to successfully impact it’s intended target on San Clemente Island, part of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) test range in Southern California.

The Tactical Tomahawk is the next generation of Tomahawk cruise missile, and adds the capability to reprogram the missile while in-flight to strike any of 15 preprogrammed alternate targets, or redirect the missile to any Global Positioning System (GPS) target coordinates.

It also will be able to loiter over a target area for some hours, and with its on-board TV camera, will allow the war fighting commanders to assess battle damage of the target, and, if necessary redirect the missile to any other target. Launched from the Navy's forward-deployed ships and submarines, Tactical Tomahawk will provide a greater flexibility to the on-scene commander. Tactical Tomahawk is scheduled to join the fleet in 2004. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

SOUTHERN IRAQ (NNS) -- Fleet Hospital (FH) 3 is testing a unique patient tracking system developed by Navy researchers. The Tactical Medical Coordination System (TacMedCS) is a wireless communication network designed for field use that captures and displays real-time casualty data.

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The system, originally designed for Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsmen to locate injured Marines during urban combat and document medical care, was reconfigured in record time to allow the fleet hospital to track patients moving through its facility.

The original TacMedCS includes three components: a wearable plastic tag with an embedded electronic chip to store individual medical information; a palm-sized scanner to electronically read and write to the chip, and a central server with a database and a digital map display of the operational areas.

With four years of research and multiple field trials during Marine Corps exercises to their credit, the research team from the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Pensacola, Fla., headed by Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael E. Stiney, already had the chips, scanners and server needed by FH-3. Instead of tags, the fleet hospital wanted patient wristbands, an easy task for the team and their civilian partners. The real obstacle was rewriting the software to capture the information the fleet hospital required.

“We were asked to modify the TacMedCS system and we did,” said Stiney, a cardiovascular technologist and FMF corpsman. In just one week, the team deployed 800 wristbands, a wireless network complete with relays and antennas, a laptop with the database, five scanners and a server.“

The point man for the test is Lt. David Everhart, nursing informatics officer with FH-3. Everhart explained how TacMedCS is being used at the fleet hospital.

The hospital receives patients primarily from forward surgical units and also serves as the “community hospital” for the region of operation. The patient administrative staff assembles charts for each patient, which includes a TacMedCS wristband. The casualty receiving corpsman scans the patient’s wristband, injuries and treatments are documented, and the patient is then moved to one of the three wards, the Operating Room, or the Intensive Care Unit. Movement through the fleet hospital is recorded and tracked by scanning the wristband. When the patient leaves the fleet hospital the final disposition is electronically written to the wristband.

FH-3 is a 500-bed level three facility with modular capability. For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the facility was configured to a 116-bed expeditionary medical facility that included a casualty receiving unit, an operating room, three inpatient wards, and an intensive care unit. Ancillary services included laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy suites.

“From a beta test standpoint, I feel that this has been very successful. Although we experienced some software problems initially, we have the system in place and working as anticipated. As a real-time patient-tracking device, TacMedCS has proven it’s worth. The technology has enormous potential in my opinion. As these data travel with the patient, an entire medical history could be assembled and stored on the wristband,” Everhart added.

What is the next step? According to Stiney, “We are going to capitalize on the lessons learned from this experience. This is not a 100 percent completed system yet, so we are going to take the information gathered by all the users over there and fine-tune the system to create a better product. I think we will have a final product ready in a year. TacMedCS will be adaptable to requirements: preventive medicine, trauma treatment, casualty evacuation, and humanitarian assistance. Whatever Navy Medicine’s requirements are, we will deliver.”