ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Sept. 27, 2012) -- Three Chilean Army officers visited the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Sept. 24-26, to learn about its science and technology capabilities for potential collaboration between the countries.
The Chilean officers, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Martinez Menanteau, Col. Juan Guerra Bazaes and Col. Luis Araya Cano, toured RDECOM's three research and engineering centers at Aberdeen Proving Ground -- the Army Research Laboratory, known as ARL; Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.
Martinez and RDECOM Director Dale Ormond signed a statement of intent to work together in areas such as unmanned aerial systems; vehicle performance; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; extreme environments technology; and modeling and simulation. The agreement is not legally binding but allows for proposals for science and technology cooperation under the 2012 United States-Chile Defense Consultative Commission.
During the tours of RDECOM laboratories, U.S. Army leaders reiterated the important role of the command's international presence in providing the world's best technology to American Soldiers.
During the tour at ARL, the group received briefings and presentations on fundamental research in materials for protection, cold spray, humans in extreme dynamic environments, hemorrhage control and stretchable electronics, manufacturing science for Soldier protection, and autonomous systems research. At ECBC, the Chileans learned about the center's efforts in toxicology, genomics, decontamination sciences, and its Advanced Design and Manufacturing Prototype Integration Facility.
Joseph Corriveau, director of ECBC's Research and Technology Directorate, explained that America partners in CBRN defense through NATO and other agreements.
"Chemical and biological defense is a national priority because there are still nations that have chemical and biological weapons," Corriveau said. "What you will see today is incredible laboratory infrastructure and world-class scientists. It is a policy of the president, the Department of Defense and Army to value relationships with other countries. We are open to any discussions on working together in chemical and biological defense."
RDECOM partners with foreign universities, militaries and industry through its Forward Element Commands in Chile, England and Japan as well as International Technology Centers.
The command's Field Assistance in Science and Technology Advisers are embedded with Soldiers around the world to link emerging requirements with near-term solutions and provide commanders with immediate access to RDECOM's laboratories.
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Army.mil: Science and Technology News
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