Natick researchers are developing overhead protection for base camps

By Jane Benson, NSRDEC Public AffairsSeptember 23, 2015

Overhead Threat Protection
Researchers at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC, are developing Overhead Threat Protection, or OTP, to be used primarily in expeditionary base camps. The OTP uses a two-layer system that protects both shelter... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NATICK, Mass. (Sept. 16, 2015) -- Natick's ideas for protecting the warfighter are looking up.

Researchers at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC, are developing Overhead Threat Protection, or OTP, to be used primarily in expeditionary base camps.

The OTP protects both shelters and equipment, providing warfighters with overhead ballistic protection that is easy to deploy and set up. Four people can set up the system in fewer than two hours.

"Having the addition of overhead protection really gives Soldiers peace of mind from day one," said Karen Horak, lead program engineer, Collective Protection Systems Team, Expeditionary Basing and Collective Protection Directorate at NSRDEC. "With this system, the Soldiers have protection from multiple threats affecting base camps. This really allows them to be mission focused."

The OTP system provides protection against prevalent base camp threats and leverages technology developed by NSRDEC and the University of Maine for the Modular Ballistic Protection System, or MBPS. The MBPS provides sidewall protection against similar basecamp threats.

Like the MBPS, the OTP system is highly mobile, re-deployable, reusable and quickly erectable.

"It can be set up over an existing shelter so the shelter doesn't need to be taken down," said Horak. "It can be used in conjunction with the MBPS."

The OTP uses a two-layer system, which increases its protection capability and greatly lessens the impact of a hit.

"The Overhead Protection System has to be super strong because it protects against direct hits," said Horak.

"The round will hit the pre-detonate layer (top layer)," said Lisa King-Schiappa, a mechanical engineer on the Collective Protection Systems Team. "Then it will detonate and the second layer will catch the fragments."

"The idea is to keep the explosion above and away from Soldiers," said Horak.

NSRDEC is overseeing the research and development of the system and has partnered with universities and private industry.

"This is a collaborative program," said Laura Biszko of NSRDEC's Collective Protection Systems Team. "We are working with TPI (Technical Products Inc.). TPI is making the frame and Compotech, a spin-off from the University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composite Center, is providing the panels for this system."

NSRDEC has also partnered with the University of Rhode Island, which operates a satellite campus with a blast range, to test the system.

"We test and re-test," Horak said. "We want Soldiers to be confident in the protection."

"Our work is extremely gratifying -- helping warfighters by providing expeditionary day-one protection, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to focus on their mission," said King-Schiappa.

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The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

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