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Protection Equipment Demonstration: Something for Everyone

Wednesday, May 14, 2003
By SFC Doug Sample
U.S. Army
American Forces Press Service

"Robotics are the thing of today. Whenever you know you are going into a hazardous area and there are explosive devices in front of you, it is preferred to send a robot if you can. What we're trying to do is to get better robots fielded so that they are much more mission-capable than what we have today."

The MATILDA is of over several robots being developed by Mesa Associates for the Army under the Joint Projects Office for Unmanned Ground Vehicles. The MATILDA robot has interchangeable platforms, including the one shown, which is used as a bunker buster.
Image Credit: DoD

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
One passenger riding the shuttle bus to the main entrance said the line of people waiting to get in stretched for what seemed like a mile. Another said he had waited at least an hour the day before to get through the gate. However, neither seemed to mind the inconvenience.

They, along with thousands of others, had come to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., to see the latest in force protection equipment and technology And for them, the delays were worth the wait.

Under rows of tents and inside large aircraft hangars, more than 2,600 force protection products were demonstrated and exhibited for Defense Department, federal and local agencies at Force Protection Equipment Demonstration IV May 6-8.

The event attracted more than 500 companies from around the world and showcased high-tech gadgets and equipment -- everything from individual protective gear to robotic devices and biometric recognition technology.

Eugene Hudson, chairman of DoD's physical security equipment action group, said because of continuing concern of terrorism, the focus of the demonstration was to give government and civilian officials a firsthand look at readily available technology to meet their force protection needs.

"The most valuable aspect is that leaders see what is available and what is possible," Hudson said. "The purpose is not necessarily to buy equipment. What we do is raise awareness of all involved on what is available, what is possible, and further the process."

This equipment demonstration started in 1997, the year after the bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. That attack killed 19 servicemen and revealed the need for better force protection measures. It also prompted then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. John Shalikashvili to direct the military to find ways of improving its force protection by looking into commercial-off-the-shelf solutions, Hudson said.

Each of the four equipment demonstrations held since then has grown larger in both attendance and in the types of equipment displayed, officials said.
(More: DefenseLINK.mil)
2003 © U.S. Department of Defense.

Wouldn’t mind seeing the MATILDA bunker-buster on the next installment of Robot Wars,
Dan