ACC SLIDE STANDARD

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AF EOD ROBOTICS UPDATE
Mr. Jim Russell HQ ACC/CEXE JRPWG/8 Nov 01
This Briefing is UNCLASSIFIED
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OVERVIEW

• Family of AF EOD Robots
• Current Robotics Inventory
• Current Robotics Capabilities
• Near-Term Plan
• Future Vision

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FAMILY OF AF EOD ROBOTS

• EOD robotics is AF Civil Engineers 1
  modernization priority
• AF EOD currently has a family of three
  different-size robots
• Each robot has unique capabilities, and specific
  missions
• Can be used together, or individually
• AF leverages OSD and joint-service prototype
  development funding via AFRL/MLQ
• OSD Joint Robotics Program (JRP)
• Technical Support Working Group (TSWG)
• EOD/Low Intensity Conflict (EOD/LIC)
• Others
• AF funds AAC/WMO to
• Transition prototype to System Specification and
  Design (SDD)
• Execute AF procurement funding

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CURRENT ROBOTICS INVENTORY

• MK VI Andros
• Small-sized, approx 350 pounds
• Current Inventory 71 systems (a/o 31 Oct 01)
• Inventory Objective 96 systems
• MK III Remote Ordnance Neutralization System
  (RONS)
• Medium-sized, approx 700 pounds
• Current Inventory 51 systems (a/o 31 Oct 01)
• Inventory Objective 109 systems
• All-purpose Remote Transport System (ARTS)
• Large-sized, approx 10K pounds
• Current Inventory 30 systems (a/o 31 Oct 01)
• Inventory Objective 62 systems

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MK VI ANDROS
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RONS
7
ARTS
ARTS with Ordnance Removal Blade
90mm Water Cannon
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CURRENT ROBOTIC CAPABILITIES

• Each robot provides the EOD technician a stand
  off capability to deploy a unique suite of EOD
  tools to detect and defeat a variety of terrorist
  devices
• Robots also provide the capability to clear
  area-denial submunitions from live ordnance
  targets on USAF Bombing and Gunnery Ranges

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CURRENT ROBOTIC CAPABILITIES (Contd)

• MK VI Andros
• Performs reconnaissance and delivers EOD tools to
  defeat small terrorist bombs (e.g., briefcases,
  pipe bombs)
• Only robot small enough to traverse the aisles on
  passenger aircraft and crawl underneath large
  vehicles

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CURRENT ROBOTIC CAPABILITIES (Contd)

• Remote Ordnance Neutralization System (RONS)
• Performs reconnaissance and delivers EOD tools
  to defeat medium-sized terrorist bombs (e.g.,
  packages and terrorist bombs in cars)
• Can deliver EOD tools to dearm/neutralize single
  event sensor-fuzed conventional ordnance
  (incidents/accidents on flight line or munitions
  storage areas)
• Standard robot fielded by all Joint Service EOD
  units

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CURRENT ROBOTIC CAPABILITIES (Contd)

• All-purpose Remote Transport System (ARTS)
• Delivers a suite of tools and attachments
• Detects and defeat large vehicle terrorist bombs
• Clears live area-denial submunitions from targets
  on USAF ranges
• ARTS is the only robot capable of delivering the
  90mm water cannon and the high energy access and
  disablement device (HEADD). Both of these tools
  are used to defeat large vehicle terrorist bombs.
  

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NEAR-TERM PLAN

• FY02 Procurement Funding
• Baseline 3080 program had no funding
• PBD 810 inserted 6.0M 3080
• FY02 Supplemental Funding 21.5M requirements
  identified
• Received 8.3M (1st apportionment), a/o 5 Nov 01
• Expecting 8.9M (2nd apportionment)
• FY02 Procurement
• 12 additional MK VI Andros (13 rolled into FY03)
• 58 additional RONS
• 16 additional ARTS
• Various critical robotics attachments and tools
• FY02 AF Development ARTS attachments
• Alternate Control System (ACS) fiber optics
  tether
• Manipulator Arms
• Continue to leverage OSD 3600 funding

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NEAR-TERM PLAN (contd)

• FY03-05
• Accelerate play in OSD robotics development forum
• AF votes with procurement checkbook
• Complete MK VI procurement (12 systems)
• Continue SDD and procurement of ARTS attachments
• Recoilless 90mm water cannon mounts
• Manipulator Arms
• Alternate Control System (ACS) fiber optics
  tether
• Water cutter
• Plan for next generation robotics
• AF transition to SDD
• Initiate Procurement

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FUTURE VISION

• Upgrade and modernize the AF EOD robot family
• Leverage advanced technologies
• Team with OSD and joint service programs to field
  new attachments and next generation robotic
  systems
• Next generation robotic system TSWG-led/funded
  program
• Using modular approach (software and hardware)
• FY02 formal program start interest from entire
  bomb disposal community
• AF to leverage technology inserts/rapid
  prototyping
• AF planning FY05-06 procurements
• Expand AF robotics to other functional areas
• Fire fighting
• Chemical/biological warfare defense
• Others

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SUMMARY

• EOD robotics is AF Civil Engineers 1
  modernization priority
• Robots provide AF EOD a tool that enables them to
  perform hazardous tasks while keeping the EOD
  technician out of harms way
• Our plancontinue to leverage emerging
  technologies to field robotic tools to support
  the EOD warriorand work with other CE and ACS
  disciplines to expand the use of robots to meet
  mission needs