General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, and the University of Missouri at Rolla have been awarded a three-year contract for applied research by the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NEODTD) at Indian Head, Maryland with funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The agreement provides continued funding for counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) applied research and proof of concept demonstrations. The first year of the contract is valued at $1.5 million. The remaining two years have a potential value of $6 million.
Researchers at General Dynamics and UM-Rolla -- Rolla Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory will collaborate in the development of solutions for detecting and neutralizing remotely triggered, electronically initiated IEDs. Electronic technologies that are available commercially are being used to remotely trigger IEDs and pose a significant threat to military personnel in current conflicts.At the completion of a previous partnership between General Dynamics and UM-Rolla, a remotely controlled engineering prototype unit demonstrated the ability to detect, neutralize and verify disruption for several types of IEDs previously unseen by the research team. |
