Combat Service Support Eng Equip

Abstract

The M1A1 Mod Kit effort includes improvements in all areas of the M1A1 main battle tank and the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB). The M1A1 tank provides armor protected firepower to the USMC ground combat element. Efforts under the mod line pertaining to the M1A1 include improvements such as lethality systems to increase armament accuracy, increase the crew's situational awareness through sensor enhancements and intra-vehicular data sharing, providing for off-board targeting improvement, and environmental testing of components. The AVLB provides the Marine Corps only armor-protected assault gap crossing capability. Continued funding is required to address obsolescence and address operational deficiencies to adapt the tank and AVLB to a changing operational environment and support user-defined product improvements. These improvements directly address Marine Corps Lessons Learned, after action reports, and will ensure maximum survivability, sustainability, and readiness. Funds decreased from FY15 to FY16 to support the original acquisition strategy to defer all new modernization and obsolescence mitigation efforts until after completion of current development projects. Route Reconnaissance and Clearance (R2C) is an incremental development project to enhance the capabilities of the R2C systems, a family of systems fielded in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) via the Urgent Needs Statement (UNS) process. This research and development effort will integrate future vehicles, robots, and associated equipment to provide standoff detection, marking, and neutralization of Explosive Hazards such as mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Enhancements for R2C will provide capabilities not found in the current inventory to defeat explosive hazards and will protect Marines and equipment while conducting route and area clearance operations. The integration of the next generation of armored security and support vehicles, Vehicle Mounted Mine Detectors (VMMDs), specialized robots, and a new suite of detection, marking, and neutralization systems will enable maneuver commanders to make timely and informed decisions in avoiding or neutralizing explosive hazards that impede their missions. Multiple detection and marking capabilities will detect a broader spectrum of explosive hazards and achieve higher overall effectiveness rates, while standoff and remote-controlled detection, marking, and neutralization capabilities will enhance force protection and system survivability. Operational speeds and rates will increase, which will better support the maneuver force operational tempo. This program does not have funding beyond FY2014. The Engineer Mods and Tool Kits line funds modifications and initiatives which are required to address operational priorities, engineering change proposals, safety concerns, support equipment inefficiencies, product quality deficiencies and other issues that affect vehicle reliability, availability and readiness. This approach ensures proper vehicle sustainment and life cycle management in response to evolving needs of the Marine Corps fleet. Operational needs to provide personnel survivability on engineer equipment is essential to current and future operations. Research and development funding develops and integrates new lighter, compact armor technology and supports ballistic testing for applications to existing and future acquisitions. Corrosion Prevention and Control (CPAC): The useful life of Marine Corps assets will be extended through a comprehensive CPAC RDT&E program aimed at identifying and certifying new corrosion control products, materials, processes and procedures for legacy and new acquisition. The CPAC RDT&E Program works to standardize and substantially improve strategies, objectives and processes to prevent, detect, and treat corrosion and its effects on Marine Corps ground vehicles and weapons systems. This mission responds to the Congressional directives and DoD and SECNAV instruction to reduce the negative operational effects and associated total ownership cost of Marine Corps ground vehicles and weapons systems. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Family of Vehicles (FoV) provides tactical mobility for Warfighters with multi-mission vehicles designed to support urgent operational needs and protect personnel from the effects of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), underbody mines, and small arms fire threats. Five vehicle categories (CATs) have been tested, procured, fielded and sustained: Category I - Urban combat operations, ambulance. Category II - Multi-mission ops-convoy lead, troop transport, ambulance, utility vehicle. Category III - Mine/IED clearance ops, explosive ordnance disposal. MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) - Combat operations (ops) in rural, mountainous, urban terrain. Other Protected Vehicles- Specialty mission or unique configuration. Provides the same threshold ballistic, mine and IED protection as other MRAP vehicles. Includes the MRAP Recovery Vehicle (MRV) variant. Operational needs to provide personnel survivability is essential to current and future operations. Research and development funding develops and integrates new armor technology and supports ballistic testing. Decrease in funding from FY14 to FY15 reflects the adjustment of priorities for research and development to integrate and test new armor technology.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 2316_0206624M_7_1319_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
• Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs