Army Greatest Inventions - CY 2009 Program, MRAP Overhead Wire Mitigation (OWM) Kit
Abstract
Soldiers operating in urban areas frequently made contact with low hanging high-voltage lines due to the excessive height of their MRAP vehicles. This created a dangerous operational and safety issue with the potential to electrocute the crew and destroy sensitive onboard electronics. Wires and cables strung across the road were frequently torn down completely, severely damaging the infrastructure and aggravating the local population. This worked against our objective of winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, who often lost power, telephone and even laundry to our patrol vehicles. In response to these pressing issues, and inspired by the ingenuity of Soldier-created solutions in theater, RDECOM-TARDEC developed the objective MRAP Overhead Wire Mitigation (OWM) kit designed to guide low-hanging wires safely up and over the tall MRAP vehicles. To date, RDECOM-TARDEC has designed OWM kits for several MRAP variants and has guided the development of additional variants at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Dahlgren, VA. RDECOM-TARDEC has worked extensively with the Soldiers in theater and across the Department of Defense throughout the development process to ensure that the best possible product is delivered to the Warfighter. The OWM kit is an essential element of MRAP operations in urban environments - It protects the crew and their sensitive electronic equipment from electrocution and prevents damage to the local infrastructure due to MRAP patrols.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 19, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA548505
Entities
People
- Michael T. Rose
Organizations
- United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center