The Segway Human Transporter was evaluated as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) insertion/extraction system. The Segway minimizes exposure time for an EOD technician in a bomb suit when traversing to and from an incident site. U.S. Navy EOD personnel are currently using the system in Iraq and additional units are being considered for other services. The transporter is manufactured by Segway, LLC and is available on the GSA schedule.

A prototype Integrated Diver Display Mask (IDDM) has been developed to provide critical life support information to combat swimmers in extremely low visibility conditions. The dive mask system displays information such as depth, bottom time, and tank pressure. This mask technology is being transitioned to a U.S. Marine Corps acquisition program for further development.

* Selected as one of the Top 100 Tech Innovations for 2003 by Popular Science Magazine (December 2003 issue).

On-scene technicians must quickly determine safe withdrawal distances, calculate stay times, determine necessary damage mitigation actions and potentially perform calculations to limit personnel and property hazards. A multifunctional TDA was developed for calculating k-factor formulas for blast and fragmentation distances, downwind hazard areas, safe separation times, firing-train burn times, estimated crater sizes, and other critical information. Field technicians may currently run the software on a PC, however future development will allow them to use the TDA with a palmtop device. The TDA has been fielded to Joint Service EOD, the FBI and ATF, and utilized during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Timely decision support and knowledge management capabilities are key components of successful EOD operations. The 24-hour mission support cell enables EOD forces to meet complex terrorist and wartime threats by coordinating responses through digital, voice and video communications.

The Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Publication System – Next Generation (AEODPS-NG) was fielded to Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps EOD units around the world as well as to other domestic agencies. The AEODPS-NG system provides an improved ordnance search capability, with more data and digital images than the previous system. The 1650 sets shipped in December 2003 will be used as secondary publication systems until the Defense Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP) is completed and final EOD approval is granted. It is anticipated that AEODPS-NG will become the primary EOD publication system for U.S. forces by March 2004.

Forward deployed Joint Service EOD teams are required to detect landmines and other metallic items on the battlefield on a daily basis. The miniature mine detector is a collapsible, compact, and effective solution for locating mines, unexploded ordnance, booby traps, and improvised explosive devices. The detectors have been fielded to JSOC, NSW, and JSEOD, and deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Dual Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON) uses acoustic lens technology to provide high-quality beam-forming versus digital beam-forming which requires electric power for digital computations. While the acoustic lens technology is intended for diver-held sonar, the DIDSON has proven ideal for remote vehicle applications.

Click the DIDSON image to view the SCUBA divers in motion. Note the acoustic shadows of the kicking fins.

The LAPAXA is a portable system for x-raying large-scale targets such as 55 gallon drums. Standard 8" x 10" exposures are reassembled after film development to form a single image. LAPAXA systems have been fielded for evaluation and testing.

The TALON MRV is a small, lightweight, fast and extremely mobile remote controlled platform. The TALON has been fielded to the Army and USMC EOD, and deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom for remote placement of C-4 and initial approach in locations where tripwires, landmines, or enemy fighters may have been present.

Joint Service EOD (JSEOD) has selected the TRAP for their submunitions clearance system. TRAP, a commercial product that was significantly upgraded for military use, provides EOD technicians a means of remotely accomplishing standoff munitions disruption (SMUD) operations against unexploded ordnance. The platform mounts to several vehicle types and allows interchanging weapon types. The remotely-controlled TRAP weapon system, operating on TALON unmanned ground vehicles, will improve the safety of deployed JSEOD units as they disembark their armored vehicles.

Leaking chemical ordnance items are typically sealed using bandages and a plaster-of-paris mixture. This approach is time consuming and potentially causes contamination spread. A chemical leak seal consisting of an epoxy-like material that does not react with any known chemical agents has been developed. Kits have been fielded to Navy and Air Force EOD and have been used in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.