3 IED Related Technologies Recognized by U.S. Army as Greatest Inventions for 2006

Arlington, Virginia  U.S. Army researchers and technology developers were recognized for their contributions to increase Solider safety and improve mission effectiveness. Now in its fifth year, the program solicits input from active-Army Divisions to recognize the top 10 inventions across the Army. The Army released the results for 2006 which included three inventions related to the IED problem. The IED related inventions selected as one the "Army's Greatest Inventions of 2006" include:

Blow Torch Counter IED System  Developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the vehicle-mounted system is designed to detonate IEDs at safe stand-off distances. The standoff defeat capability minimizes the potential for vehicle damage and injuries to soldiers.

Integrated Robotic Explosive Detection System  Developed by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, the all-terrain platform incorporates explosive trace detection technologies into the battlefield. The system is remotely operated to minimize a Soldiers contact with a suspected IED. The robotic platform has a rugged design that makes it tough enough to handle even the most challenging terrain.

Plastic Shaped Charge Assembly (PCSA) for Remote Destruction of Buried IEDs  Developed by the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, the remotely emplaced tool uses explosive shape charge technology to defeat suspect IEDs and UXO. The plastic housing of the PCSA produces very minimal fragmentation thereby eliminating collateral damage over other shape charge tools currently in use.

The researchers and developers of these technologies and other top ten Army inventions were honored in an awards ceremony held yesterday in Arlington, Virginia.

Source: Army.Mil News