TARDEC technologies earn two Army's Greatest Invention Awards

By John Wray, TARDEC Public Affairs)November 30, 2010

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has been awarded two of the ten 2009 Army Greatest Invention Awards. The awards, selected by Active Duty Soldiers based on their impact on the Army's capabilities, their inventiveness and their potential benefits outside the Army, were announced during a luncheon Nov. 29 at the 27th Army Science Conference.

The TARDEC technologies recognized are:

- Overhead Wire Mitigation kit

- Landmine Blast Field Event Reconstruction Using Computational Modeling and Simulation.

"These technologies are helping keep warfighters safe, which is our ultimate goal," explained TARDEC Director Grace Bochenek. "I am again impressed by the great things we are able to accomplish when we work together as an organization and with our many partners."

<strong0Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Overhead Wire Mitigation (OWM) Kit</strong>

In 2009, the U.S. Army TARDEC developed the OWM kit to provide MRAP vehicle crews with electrocution protection while also preserving local infrastructures.

Previously, Soldiers were exposed to potential electrocution threats from low-hanging wires. In addition, the MRAP's height led to antennae catching and pulling down high-voltage cables, telephone wires and laundry lines.

The Army developed and then submitted requirements to the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command for innovation engineering solutions.

TARDEC's Center for Ground Vehicle Development and Integration worked with the Science and Technology Assistance Team to evolve several prototype OWM kits.

The OWM kit directs the wires up and over the MRAP, protecting both the Soldiers and the infrastructure.

<strong>Landmine Blast Field Event Reconstruction Using Computational Modeling & Simulation</strong>

In 2009, TARDEC's Concepts, Analysis, Systems Simulation and Integration Analytics Group developed a method to reconstruct an underbody blast field event using data gathered from theater.

The explicit finite-element modeling technique used in the full-vehicle system analysis included all key blast phenomenon elements - soil, charge, air, vehicle, and occupant - and analyzed the phenomena of charge detonation, blast wave propagation through soil and air, vehicle structural response, and crew injury and fatality risk probability.

This model provides a better understanding and interpretation of collected field data that can then be translated to represent mathematical loading and boundary conditions for computational models.

The modeling and simulation method enables analysts to bridge the gap between controlled live-fire testing and actual field events for these complex and highly transient blast events.

Additionally, it allows product development teams to consider real-world scenarios that may not be reflected in existing test and evaluation procedures, ultimately improving existing systems and enhancing warfighter survivability across the tactical and combat vehicle fleets.

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