Landmine Warfare/Barrier - Eng Dev

Project 016: Close Combat Capabilities, covers multiple programs: Prototype Integration for Multi-Domain Operations, Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERPRS), Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation, the Arresting Cable Release Mechanism (ACRM), and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS). Enhanced Robotics Payload - Render Safe (ERP-RS) will enable Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to access, render safe, and dispose of explosive hazards (EH) while removing Soldiers from the direct effects of explosive blast and fragmentation. ERP-RS consists of three modules that will mount on existing (MTRS Inc. II and CRS-H) and future robotic platforms in EOD units: (1) Highly Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS) that has increased lift capacity and dexterity over current manipulators, using dual arm manipulation, will contribute to access, render safe, and disposal of sensitive EH, (2) a Multi-Shot Disruptor (MSD) module that provides remote selectable and precise disruption of surface laid or suspended EH, and (3) a Precision Aim Module (PAM) to provide accurate disruption of surface laid or suspended EH with the Multi-Shot Disrupter Module. These ERP-RS capabilities will provide a level of access, render safe, and disposal of EH. Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) Wireless Initiation effort is a reliability enhancement to the current MICLIC system. The MICLIC is a legacy heavy minefield breaching capability consisting of a trailer mounted launcher that deploys the M58A4 Linear Demolition Charge via the MK22 Mod 4 Rocket. The system has historically suffered from poor detonation reliability traced primarily to the fuze or command wires leading to it. By eliminating the wired connections and replacing the fuze with a system based on the fielded M152 Remote Activation Munition System (RAMS), system reliability in command detonation mode will be maximized. Wireless initiation is also a key enabler for remote/robotic employment of current and future breaching systems to remove Soldiers from the breach as described in emerging breaching requirements such as the Autonomous Breaching System. If emerging requirement(s) is approved, effort will pivot to initiation system, development and integration activities on that replacement program.

This project supports the development and testing of Lethal and Protective payloads in direct support of providing Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) lethality. This PE line also supports manufacturing development tasks to support the Army's SkyFoundry initiative and goal to scale drone production within the Organic Industrial Base (OIB) by 10X. Tasks in this Program Element support manufacturing development, research, development, and test efforts for munition payloads to deliver lethal & protective effects from sUAS platforms. Lethal & Protective Payloads for sUAS: The Army has immediate need for lethal effects delivered by uncrewed systems to maintain overmatch against competitors that have unprecedented access to lethal, low-cost autonomous systems. The Lethal & Protective Payloads project will enable sUAS delivered effects through the Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit (CLIK) which consists of physical, electrical, and data interface design standard that creates a modular ecosystem of compliant hardware modules to enable rapid integration of an sUAS delivered munition suite. The Picatinny CLIK ecosystem consists of a Weapon Release System (WRS), Fire Control Module, Fuze Module, Radio Module, Power Module, and adapters for various common platforms and payload types. The munition suite will consist of legacy and commercial munitions to sUAS delivered lethality (e.g, dropped, launched, fired, or emplaced). The resulting lethal & protective capabilities delivered from sUAS will be anti-personnel, anti-materiel, obscuration, hazard neutralization, and deception. The use of the Picatinny CLIK design standard ensures the Army does not procure and field one-off proprietary solutions that reduce sUAS platform and payload modularity and interoperability which would reduce operational effectiveness and increase sustainment costs.

Project CS2: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Render Safe - Sets Kits and Outfits (EOD RS-SKO) provides for the demonstration and evaluation of emerging technologies within requirements trade-space and capabilities needed for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to Render Safe (RS) US and foreign ordnance and explosive hazards. Technical refresh of capabilities ensures Army EOD formations maintain overmatch capability. EOD RS-SKO equips EOD teams with a suite of 11 capabilities needed to safely and effectively render safe explosive threats. Lessons learned from Ukraine and Israeli conflict show that the enemy/threat changes constantly-- UAS and ground robotics tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), countermeasures, long range fires, trench warfare, obstacles and electronic countermeasures continue to evolve, so EOD RSSKO capabilities must keep pace to ensure overmatch. Near term technical refresh priorities include improved load sets for the Electronic Countermeasures (Modi and AN/PLT-6(v)1) to ensure the most current threats are being countered allowing EOD Techs to safely approach/render safe explosive threats and enhanced buried explosive hazard detection to allow EOD Techs to quickly and effectively clear their pathway and/or identify threats for render safe missions. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to increase commonality among information reporting and control systems.