HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—Army Materiel Command (AMC) spends considerable time, money and effort on science and technology to improve soldier equipment and effectiveness, the commanding general said.
In the “defined space between the state of the art and the art of the possible, AMC works to protect, unburden, empower and sustain” the soldier, said Gen. Dennis Via, AMC commanding general at the Association of the United States Army Winter Symposium and Exhibition here.
Photo: U.S. Army
AMC invests about $1.6 billion annually, more than 70 percent of the Army’s annual investment in S&T, Via said. There are more than 13,000 scientists and engineers at work toward developing “dramatically” improved equipment “more efficient, more lethal, more reliable, safer,” and easier to maintain with improved logistics.
AMC’s S&T work searches for new technologies and solutions. The office takes technology from the drawing board to prototypes and then potentially on to new solutions.
AMC also facilitates partnerships with government, industry, academia and allies to bring the warfighter the “best technology, materiel and capabilities available,” Via said.
“It takes a team effort—government, industry and academia to produce R&S successes,” Via said. “It’s the most important work we’ll do for the Army, your Army over the next decade…we must get it right.”
AMC is looking for breakthroughs in survivability, sustainment, mobility, combat effectiveness and the quality of life in the field—all things needed for future mission success, he said.
Via’s message: “AMC is aggressively looking for more” opportunities.
To facilitate teaming and new efforts, Via established a new Chief Technology Office, led by Grace Bochenek, that works with the Army acquisition office, Training and Doctrine Command and the lifecycle management commands.
Some of the new items coming from these efforts include a new combat uniform-alternate that a poll found that 94 percent of soldiers said has a better military fit and appearance, accommodating a wide range of sizes and types.
A new vest available for all deploying soldiers is five pounds lighter, offers a wider range of motion, particularly for females.
An upgraded helmet has a more fully integrated system, improved ballistic materials and better eye, face, and hearing protection as well as improved communications.
Another effort to reduce the burden of what soldiers carry is a conformable, wearable battery that integrates into the vest.
There’s also a cutting edge fuel cell Talon robot, produced by QinetiQ North America, that auto-recharges on board batteries, which provides “significantly longer combat support.” The new Talon has night vision, and it has multiple attachments to enable remote search, and a variety of weapons.
Advanced manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, also has AMC’s attention. For example, an expeditionary mobile lab in a 20-foot container has milling machines, lasers, and cutters that can go to the field. Soldiers can talk to engineers who have the ability to fabricate something on site, reducing timelines, reducing cost and improving readiness.