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USMA cadets develop robotic breach capabilities

By Jana Scardigno Marketing Specialist, Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringMay 1, 2024

In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
5 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
7 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
9 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical...
10 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

In a realm where safety meets innovation, aligning with the Dean’s annual intellectual theme, meet the capstone team developing automated breach capabilities. Born from the collaborative efforts of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering alongside The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) and other partners, the Automated Breach Team represents a breakthrough in breaching technology.

The team introduces a safer, more efficient approach. Unlike the existing system, which requires two Soldiers at any given time, the team is working to eliminate the need for constant rotation of Soldiers due to fatigue and the potential for only one or even no needed Soldiers. Breaching becomes a low-risk endeavor, reducing exposure to hazardous elements.

The Automated Breach Team goes beyond safety—it embodies precision and efficiency redefined. Through automating the process, it guarantees pinpoint accuracy while minimizing risk to Soldiers and conserving resources. Controlled by a centralized user interface, the operation is seamless and intuitive. The team’s robotic arm tirelessly executes cuts with unmatched precision.

The capstone team’s innovative design marks a significant shift in breaching technology and has applications beyond military use. It could significantly benefit the civilian sector, particularly in fields where similar thermal lance systems are utilized. Similar systems are already employed in activities such as technical rescue applications, demonstrating the broad potential impact of the team’s advancements.

In a world where every second counts and safety is paramount, the team stands as a beacon of innovation, transforming the way to overcome obstacles and safeguard front-line personnel.

This project is part of West Point's 25th annual Projects Day Research Symposium that showcases more than 450 cadet-led research projects. Learn more about the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://bit.ly/WP_CME and check out more project features at https://www.westpoint.edu/werx.