The U.S. Air Force is to add five Parsons Corp. [PSN] Recovery of Airbases Denied by Ordnance Systems (RADBO) systems to the 16 already on contract.
The RADBO consists of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cougar vehicle, a Zeus III laser system, and an Interrogation Arm Assembly (IAA).
RADBO “disarms unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices during runway and airbase recovery operations,” Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s branch at Robins AFB, Ga. said in a business notice. “This modification will add options IV and V which will allow for the production, integration and sustainment of the Zeus III Laser System for 21 MRAP Cougar variant vehicles, along with installation of 21 IAAs. The MRAP Cougar Variant Vehicles and IAAs will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment. Five (5) additional Zeus III Laser Systems will be produced as part of this acquisition.”
In September 2020, the Air Force awarded Huntsville, Alabama’s Parsons Government Services Inc., the company’s federal business unit, nearly $40 million for 13 RADBOs and three spares. Work on the contract was to finish last month.
RADBO “provides precision [300 meter] standoff neutralization of surface mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” according to Parsons. “Zeus has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for area, route clearance missions, and IED neutralization. The system achieves neutralization by focusing a laser on the outer casing of the target munition. This heats the explosive filler until ignition, resulting in rapid combustion or deflagration of the explosive material, thus neutralizing the target munition, independent of the type of fusing used. The resulting low-order explosion minimizes collateral damage and protects explosive ordnance disposal personnel and equipment.”
In a separate allied force protection effort, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense has awarded Anduril Industries a 31-month contract worth up to $29 million “to explore future capabilities for fixed installation Force Protection and Counter Intrusion, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems for the Royal Air Force and Strategic Command on Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOBs),” Anduril said. “[The contract] represents the third phase of Programme TALOS, Anduril’s engagement with jHub – the MoD and Strategic Command’s joint innovation team – which connects world-class technology and talent with users across UK Defense. Programme TALOS aims to accelerate a defence-wide approach to Integrated Command and Control (C2) for Force Protection.
“Anduril’s Lattice software platform leverages advancements in key technologies such as autonomy, edge processing, big data and AI [artificial intelligence] to a degree where it is possible to fundamentally reimagine Defence’s approach to C2 [command and control],” the company said. “The ability to harness machine-speed in decision-making and support; integrate all defense-wide platforms, sensors, and effectors into a single network; and use distributed and resilient systems capable of operating under machine control will have far-reaching implications for the U.K.’s defense capability.”