FORT A.P. HILL, Va. -- July 18, 2012 -- During a first-of-its-kind system integration evaluation called Integrated Base Defense-Austere, or IBD-A, three equal partners hosted over thirty special guests including Pentagon and Department of Defense officials, Army senior leaders and industry executives.
The initiative, led by the U.S. Army's Rapid Equipping Force, Joint Program Manager - Guardian and Asymmetric Warfare Group, highlighted a growing emphasis on collaboration, integration and repurposing equipment to meet changing demands.
Guests arrived at Fort A.P. Hill on July 17th for a demonstration of over 20 stand-alone systems unified for the benefit of remote forward operating bases and combat outposts.
"Our partnership to conduct the IBD-A effort is the result of hard lessons learned at past Network Integration Evaluations," said Col. Pete Newell, Director of the REF, during an address to the VIP visitors.
"We realized that we needed preliminary assessments where we could rapidly pull together the right people to crash on a problem and determine potential challenges early," he said.
Systems involved in the evaluation include Kraken, Energy to the Tactical Edge, STMPAS Aerostat system, multiple drone and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and more. The intent was to combine some of the most groundbreaking technologies in support of soldiers at in remote and austere environments in theater.
"The first time you get systems on the ground together, traditionally, is in theater, and by then it's too late," said Col. Brett Barraclough, Director of JPM-Guardian.
The result of this effort will be a family of integrated systems offered "a la carte" to ground Commanders, who can choose all, or selected systems based on mission requirements. This IBD-A risk reduction exercise is expected to refine testing and evaluation, facilitate necessary improvements to the integration specifics, and set the groundwork for future testing and evaluation.
One of the VIP guests in attendance was Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, who commented on the importance of such efforts in advance of tactical challenges on the ground.
With over 120 scientists, engineers, program officers and others working together to integrate the IBD-A system of systems, Col. Newell told the group that it was important to understand that from a science and technology stand-point there was nothing new on-site.
"What we do have is incredible innovation in learning how to recombine capabilities that already exist in new ways in order to solve emerging problems," he said.
For additional information call REF Public Affairs at 703-704-9433.
-30-
About the Army's Rapid Equipping Force
The Rapid Equipping Force, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, rapidly supports deployed soldiers' needs to defeat an adaptive enemy. The REF works in daily partnerships with industry, academia, military leaders, and other government agencies to support warfighter requirements. The organization responds to immediate needs in the field and provides readily employable capabilities to enhance lethality and survivability. Using a combination of commercial and government off-the-shelf products and developmental technologies, the REF enables the Army to remain ahead of an adaptive enemy and save soldiers' lives.
Social Sharing