U.S.

ARMY Tank Automotive Research,

Development and Engineering Center
 At the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development
and Engineering Center (TARDEC), our goal is to provide
warfighters with advanced technological solutions to
ground vehicle systems challenges. To do that, we must
overcome the numerous design, development, manufactur-
ing and product technology gaps identified in our 30-Year
Strategy. Whether you’re a member of industry, academia
or another government agency exploring ways to partner
with us, we welcome your interest and potential contribu-
tions towards our organization’s research and development
(R&D) initiatives.

This handbook is designed to introduce you to our organization’s unique laboratory and
testing capabilities and the expertise of our technicians, scientists and engineers. This tech-
nical staff leads research in ground systems survivability, power and mobility, intelligent
ground systems, force projection and vehicle electronics architecture. Consequently, our
30-Year Strategy is a dynamic plan that serves as a framework to guide our investment
decisions, which includes our infrastructure, in-house R&D capabilities and the test facil-
ities outlined herein.

TARDEC’s 30-Year Strategy emphasizes the need to balance our investments among
those that support current Programs of Record, and those that will provide leap-ahead
technology advancements and transitional solutions to support our Future Force. Accordingly,
we offer a variety of opportunities to create partnerships to accelerate the delivery of new
capabilities, while avoiding unnecessary development costs along the way.

Collaborative partnerships — whether with industry, academia or other government agencies

— remain vital to TARDEC’s success. We can’t achieve our 30-Year Strategy on our own,
and we welcome any new ideas that potential partners or colleagues can bring to bear
on our collective goals. We’re glad you’re viewing this handbook. We encourage you to
engage TARDEC by visiting us at http://www.army.mil/tardec and clicking on “Contact
TARDEC” for the latest news, information and opportunities. Through this site and our
On the cover: TARDEC Capabilities will introduce you to our unique and, in some cases, one-of-a-kind ground vehicle systems laboratory and other communications media, I hope you gain a thorough understanding of where TARDEC
testing capabilities in conjunction with the world-class technicians, scientists and engineers who lead the Department of Defense’s research in is going and how we propose to get there.
ground systems survivability, power and mobility, intelligent ground systems, force projection and vehicle electronics architecture.
Engage us! Together, we can collaboratively develop game-changing ground systems
The center image depicts two of five test rigs in TARDEC’s Vehicle Characterization Laboratory (VCL) — the Vehicle Inertia Parameter
Evaluation Rig (VIPER) II (background), which allows for system-level mass properties for vehicles weighing up to 100,000 lbs. and with track
capabilities to ensure battlefield dominance for our current and future warfighters.
widths up to 155 inches; and the Reconfigurable N-Post Motion Based Simulator (foreground). This rig’s analytical capabilities include fatigue
damage estimation, statistical time history editing and cycle counting analysis. Paul D. Rogers, Ph.D., SES
TARDEC Director
Clockwise, from top right to left: this industrial design rendering depicts the groundbreaking advancements in vehicle mobility that play a
significant role in TARDEC’s 30-Year Strategy; the Stryker M1128 Mobile Gun System; M1083 Medium Tactical Vehicle Utility Truck equipped
with the Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System which provides ground forces with autonomy-enabled vehicle system capabilities; the
peerless Abrams M1A2 Main Battle Tank; and MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle with Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kits (SPARKS). These vehicle
systems depict just a handful of currently fielded systems TARDEC supports. On the research and development side of our business,
TARDEC is actively engaged in supporting seven of the Army’s eleven persistent challenges.

A final design note, the cover composition includes the textured green armor of a Stryker vehicle as a backdrop to highlight TARDEC
engineers’ and scientists’ relentless work in the areas of lightweighting and armor composition. The juxtaposition of the Stryker armor
and the VCL is a perfect example of how TARDEC is using the most advanced technology to improve warfighter mobility, survivability and
lethality on the battlefield.
Table of Contents

GROUND DOMAIN PLANNING & INTEGRATION Force Projection TECHNOLOGY

32. ..... Army Petroleum Lab
TARDEC Vision TARDEC Mission
3. ..... Ground Domain Planning & Integration
32. ..... Bridging Technology Lab Be the first choice of technology and engineering Develop, integrate and sustain the right tech-
Research & Technology integration 33. ..... Freshwater Treatment & Test Facility expertise for ground vehicle systems and support nology solutions for all manned and unmanned
Ground System Survivability 33. ..... Fuels and Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants Lab
6. ..... Electrified Armor Lab equipment — today and tomorrow. Department of Defense (DoD) ground systems
6. ..... Fire Protection Technology Integration Lab INTEGRATION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FRAMEWORK (ISEF) and combat support systems to improve Current
7. ..... Hit Avoidance Development 34. ..... Integration Systems Engineering Framework Force effectiveness and provide superior capabil-
7. ..... Laser Protection Technology Integration Lab KNOWLEDGE AND DATA Management ities for the Future Force.
8. ..... Mechanical Countermine 35. ..... CAVE Automated Virtual Environment
Occupant Protection (OP) Laboratory 35. ..... Defense Research & Engineering Network
9. ..... Anthropomorphic Test Drive Certification Lab (ATD) TARDEC Core Capabilities
36. ..... High Performance Computing
9. ..... Crew Compartment Underbody Blast Simulator (CCUBS) 36. ..... Sharepoint TARDEC is committed to the development and exploration of ground vehicle system technologies that
9. ..... Foot Impact Test Fixture 37. ..... Windchill will increase Current and Future Force capabilities in the following core technology areas:
10. ..... Head Impact Laboratory (HIL)
10. ..... Sub-System Drop Tower (SSDT) Product lifecycle engineering
38. ..... CAD Model-Based Engineering • Advanced Concepts • Physical Test and Simulation
11. ..... Rapid Evaluation Capability (REC)
38. ..... Configuration Management • Configuration Management/Data Management • Product Systems Support
12. ..... Survivability Armor Ballistic Lab (SABL)
12. ..... Vehicle Armor Laboratory (VAL) 39. ..... Corrosion Engineering • Engineered Solutions • Project Management and Operations
39. ..... Engineering Cost Reduction Team • Force Projection • Prototype Integration
round Vehicle Power & Mobility
G 40. ..... Environmental Engineering
13. ..... Elastomer Laboratory 40. ..... Ground Vehicle Cabin Thermal Systems Lab
• Ground System Survivability • Reliability, Availability and Maintainability
Ground Systems Power & Energy Laboratory (GSPEL) 41. ..... Ground Vehicle Power Lab • Ground Vehicle Power and Mobility (RAM) and Quality Assurance
14. ..... Air Filtration Lab 41. ..... Industrial Base & Sustainment Engineering Risk Management • Ground Vehicle Robotics • Software Engineering
14. ..... Calorimeter Lab 42. ..... Metallurgical Lab • High Performance Computing • Systems Engineering
15. ..... Electric Components Lab (ECL) 42. ..... Secondary Item Data Management
15. ..... Energy Storage Lab (ESL) • Industrial Base and Advanced Manufacturing • Sustainment and Platform Integration
43. ..... Standardization
16. ..... Fuel Cell Lab (FCL) 43. ..... Tire Engineering Group • National Automotive Center • Vehicle Electronics Architecture
16. ..... Power & Energy Vehicle Environmental Lab (PEVEL)
17. ..... Thermal Management & Controls Lab Physical Simulation & Test
17. ..... Propulsion Lab 44. ..... Crew Station/Turret Motion Based Simulator
18. ..... Test Cell 9 44. ..... Ground Vehicle Tire Lab
45. ..... Mission Equipment Vibration Table
Ground Vehicle robotics 45. ..... Multi-Axial Simulation Table (MAST)
19. ..... Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Interoperability Lab 46. ..... Pintle Motion Based Simulator
Software Engineering SERVICES 46. ..... Profilometer
20. ..... Ground Vehicle Software Development 47. ..... Reconfigurable N-Post Based Simulator
20. ..... Pre- and Post-Production Support (P3S2) Team 47. ..... Ride Motion Simulator
21. ..... MRAP System Integration Lab (SIL) 48. ..... Robotic Intelligence Development Environment
21. ..... Tactical Cybersecurity Engineering (TCET) 48. ..... Sensor Visualization Tool (SVT)
49. ..... Shock Test Evaluation Machine (STEM)
SPECIAL PROGRAMS OFFICE (SPO) 50. ..... Suspension Parameter Identification Evaluation Rig (SPIdER)
22. ..... Ground Vehicle Acoustics Lab 50. ..... Test & Evaluation Engineering Support
Vehicle Electronics and Architecture (VEA) 51. ..... Vehicle Inertial Properties Evaluation Rig (VIPER)
23. ..... Research System Integration Lab (SIL) 52. ..... Virtual Systems Integration Lab (VSIL)
23. ..... VICTORY System Inegration Lab (VICTORY SIL) TECHNICAL PLANNING
SYSTEMS integration & ENGINEERING 53. ..... Manufacturing Engineering
Advanced Concepts 53. ..... Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) Program Lead
26. ..... Ground Systems Concepts Lab 54. ..... Program Support & Architecture Team
55. ..... Project Management
Analytics
56. ..... Reliability Engineering Services
27. ..... Modeling and Simulation (M&S)
56. ..... Requirements Engineering & ORSA
Center for Systems Integration 57. ..... Risk Management Team
28. ..... Center for Systems Integration (CSI) 57. ..... Science & Technology Project Support Team
29. ..... Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) System
Quality ASSURANCE SERVICES
30. ..... Electronic Development Team (EDT) Lab
58. ..... Quality Assurance Services
30. ..... Robotic Weld Lab
31. ..... Towing & Recovery ENGAGE WITH TARDEC
59. ..... Engage with TARDEC

1
 Ground DOMAIN PLANNING AND INTEGRATION

Ground Domain Planning and Integration (GDP&I)

GDP&I is an office within TARDEC’s Chief of Staff organi- budget planning, coordination and reporting, both internally
zation that supports TARDEC’s leadership and two research and with higher headquarters. APTR executes the yearly Pro-
and engineering business groups. Its teams work to develop gram Objective Memorandum (POM) and R-form builds, sup-
and operationalize a comprehensive organizational long-range ports S&T investment decision making in alignment with the
strategy. They also facilitate the assessment, alignment and 30-Year Strategy and maintains S&T funding allocation to S&T
integration of the ground maneuver portfolio to enable transi- projects. The APTR team also partners with the TARDEC G8
tion of products/capabilities that address the Army’s capabil- to analyze and report on financial execution.
ity gaps, needs and priorities, synchronized within the Army’s The Transition Management Team, a recent addition
strategic framework and long-range plans. to GDP&I, addresses systemic challenges faced by S&T proj-
ects when trying to synchronize transition of their products to
Capabilities acquisition programs of record. It develops and manages tran-
The Warfighter Requirements and Capabilities Analysis sition databases and promotes TARDEC product transitions.
Team (WaRCAT) is TARDEC’s connection with the warfighter The Joint Center for Ground Vehicles (JCGV), a cross
to determine and prioritize needs and capability gaps. With ground vehicle portfolio forum, is a Community of Interest that
on-site science and technology (S&T) advisors, WaRCAT facili- includes PEO CS&CSS, PEO GCS and PEO Land Systems
tates the alignment of TARDEC technologies/projects to Train- (USMC), as well as TARDEC and the ONR. It is a collabora-
ing and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Centers of Excellence tion forum with focus on common technology products and
(CoE) gaps and initiatives. WaRCAT also, through Army Mate- processes.
riel Command (AMC) Field Assistance in Science & Technol- The Vehicle and Robotics Alliance (VRA) Program
ogy (FAST) advisors, provides commanders immediate access Office (PO) manages the multiservice alliance consisting of
to labs and expedites technology solutions to Soldiers. government labs and R&D centers and POs, with the com-
The Strategic Technology Planning (STP) Team is mon interest in advancing the technology for government
responsible for developing and maintaining TARDEC’s 30-Year vehicles and robotics through collaboration, coordination, edu-
Strategy. Additionally, it prepares strategic communication cation and Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) contracting.
materials for executive-level purposeful engagements. It is
responsible for managing the Technology Program Agree- Benefits
ments with the Army Research Lab (ARL) as well as ensuring •  Facilitates collaboration among the warfighter, acqui-
coordination and synchronization between Program Executive sition program managers and TARDEC on issues and
Office (PEO) Ground Combat Systems (GCS), PEO Combat projects of mutual interest, including technology/project
Support & Combat Service Support (CS&CSS) and Office of demos and assessments.
Naval Research (ONR). It is also responsible for pursuing com-
•  Maintains an updated, prioritized listing of customer
petitive funding opportunities to bring in additional resources
needs and capability gaps.
to the organization.
The Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Team •  Ensures all higher headquarters requirements are
develops and manages the processes and tools to ensure addressed in a “one-stop shop.”
that TARDEC continues to invest in the highest-valued proj- •  TARDEC’s 30-Year Strategy will help direct and pace
ects and services that best achieve the strategic goals and technology discovery, development, demonstration and
vision of the organization, while balancing the perspectives of transition.
risk vs. reward, multiple customer needs and organizational
•  Supports balance of investments across multiple
resources. The team synchronizes top-down strategic impera-
dimensions such as risk, time horizons, customer
tives and objectives with bottom-up projects and services and
and stakeholder priorities, funding type and core
provides customized portfolio analysis results and reports to
competencies.
support resourcing decisions.
The Program Execution Management Team’s TARGET •  Provides decision makers with the right portfolio infor-
process is a stage-gated, idea-to-launch product and technol- mation to make defensible investment choices.
ogy development process for S&T projects and programs, •  Provides gated approach to technology development
integrating performance-driven project management, systems and risk reduction to increase technology transfer suc-
engineering and design to Six Sigma principles, applications cess rate to acquisition product, project and program
and tools using government and industry best practice tools manager partners.
and methods. The process ingrains upfront research and prod-
uct definition to reduce time to market and “scope creep.” •  Provides training and tools on project management and
The Annual Planning and Tactical Reporting (APTR) technology road-mapping.
Team is TARDEC’s primary unit responsible for leading S&T

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4 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 5
 Ground System Survivability Ground System Survivability

Electrified Armor Laboratory (EAL) Hit Avoidance Development (HAD)

The EAL develops technologies and methods to advance Benefits The HAD provides technology assessment, subject-mat- ambush scenarios. APS technology is assessed for vehi-
pulse power based armor components, subsystems and sys- •  Electrified armor protection to defeat threats at reduced ter expert (SME) integration services and evaluations for cle-specific integrations in a hardware-in-the-loop, virtual
tems; investigates and analyzes new adaptive armor tech- weight. PMs as well as core-funded DoD projects. Technologies battle space environment.
nologies; and provides depot-level nondestructive evaluation addressed include Passive and Active Protection Systems
(NDE) of various types of vehicle armor structural health, •  Adaptive armor to integrate multiple armor technolo- (APS). HAD provides unbiased “honest broker” technology Benefits
real-time assessment of armor using optical and ultrasonic gies, increasing protection at a reduced weight. evaluations. The lab also works with industry via Cooperative •  Provides real-time evaluations and assessments.
embedded sensors. Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), collabo-
•  Real-time health monitoring of opaque or transparent rating with partners to improve on available technologies for •  Optimizes technology concepts against theater-based
Capabilities armor without detaching the armor from the vehicle. potential transition to the PM community. complex attacks.
EAL research can be applied to any system requiring
pulse power systems and electro-mechanical features. Low •  Armor-embedded radio communications to protect Capabilities •  Optimizes integration of passive and active defeat sys-
voltage electromechanical actuator (EMA) control system antenna from damage and conceal mission purpose. HAD can characterize threat-point initiators, counter- tems on tactical and combat vehicles.
testing, high-voltage bench top testing is expected in FY15. measure pre-function analysis, technology optimization and
For in-house NDE, the lab has ultrasonic transducer char- •  Embedded radar detection and microwave energy har- system integration. Based on customer input, the lab devel- •  Provides a one-team approach to the hit avoidance sys-
acterization equipment, infrared imaging, a millimeter wave vesting on the battlefield. ops theater-inspired complex attack scenarios to evaluate tem optimizations and integration with controlled firing
imaging table and a nanoelectronic, spintronic and metama- proposed solutions. HAD optimizes technology integrations of dynamic threat surrogates and the Rapid Evaluation
terials testing station. based on performance data provided by these complex Capability of live-fire dynamic foreign threats.

Fire Protection Technology Integration Lab (TIL) Laser Protection TIL

The Fire Protection TIL provides a rapid and thorough Benefits Capabilities
evaluation of Automated Fire Extinguishing Systems (AFES) •  Provides in-house ability to develop and test lifesaving TARDEC’s Laser Lab evaluates various types of pow-
technologies and agents that support the Army’s moderniza- technologies and quickly transition innovations to the er-limiting materials for their performance in a standard setup
tion plans for legacy vehicles and future systems. The new vehicle Program Managers (PMs) and our Soldiers. designed by TARDEC engineers. The team also designs laser
test facility also supports AFES integration, engineering and protection integration strategies for various combat weapon
testing designed to protect combat and tactical ground vehi- •  Validates AFES performance requirements with physi- systems based on current technologies. The Laser Protec-
cles and their crew members. cal testing. tion TIL developed a methodology that allows integration of
laser protection materials directly onto a day camera sensor,
Capabilities •  Predicts performance of AFES to reduce system providing wavelength-agile laser protection against lasers
The Fire Protection TIL provides in-house integration and testing. anywhere in the visible spectrum. With typical filters (using
test capabilities to evaluate the performance of AFES compo- absorption or reflection capabilities), a system may only be
nents and agents. Rapid assessments of multiple alternative •  Provides simulations of vehicle AFES system design protected against certain wavelengths.
approaches are performed under realistic vehicle conditions. (temperatures, pressures, oxygen levels and acid
The Ballistic Fireball Generator performs a fuel-spray test, byproducts). Benefits
conducted in a reconfigurable firebox, to simulate a full range •  Enables warfighters to continue performing a mission
of tactical and combat vehicle geometries. The TIL is also •  Provides quick turn-around time with on-site support while under laser attack.
capable of bench testing optical, electrical and mechanical for proof-of-principle testing. The Laser Protection TIL conducts research and analysis
instrumentation and provides noise and discharge force mea- of laser protection materials along with integration schemes. •  Allows day cameras to continue operating during a laser
surements, as well as material-flammability testing. The lab’s objectives are to limit energy coming through com- attack.
bat systems and integration schemes, and incorporate laser
protection materials onto day camera sensors.

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 Ground System Survivability Ground System Survivability

Mechanical Countermine ATD

Capabilities The ATD Certification Laboratory consists of several test an ATD. Software analyzes the data collected and provides
KRC performs dynamic mobility studies and system fixtures to ensure ATDs are functioning correctly and within pass/fail criteria for the certification tests. ATDs failing certi-
integration analysis at a 500-acre test course specifically specifications prior to use in any OP testing. The fixtures in the fication tests are then repaired and reevaluated prior to use
designed to test limits and evaluate the automotive impact lab evaluate each body region of the ATD. Lab personnel make in any OP Testing.
on both manned and unmanned systems through an increas- necessary repairs on the ATD prior to testing. This process
ingly progressive set of terrain and soil profiles. These test increases the reliability of test data collected with the ATDs Benefits
courses and lanes are designed to mimic Army Evaluation and ensures the data is as realistic and accurate as possible. •  Increases confidence in test data.
Center courses and natural terrain obstacles under desert,
mud or snowy conditions. Capabilities •  Allows for faster, more frequent and less expensive certi-
The ATD Certification Lab consists of test fixtures and fication of ATDs as compared to sending to a third party.
Benefits data acquisition equipment to certify each body region of
•  Rapid design concepts put hardware through a rigorous
testing environment.

The Mechanical Countermine Team, partnering with •  Full data and analysis using the latest data acquisition CCUBS
the Michigan Tech Keweenaw Research Center (KRC), is and modeling equipment for high-speed videos.
uniquely qualified to develop mechanical IED-defeat sys-
tems and integrate mature technologies onto manned and •  A controlled test environment where system limitations The CCUBS is a test device used to evaluate vehicle crew The lab also features a full range of external instrumentation,
unmanned military platforms. and capabilities are learned and observed. compartments in simulated underbody blasts. The CCUBS including accelerometers, load cells, string potentiometers
consists of a large platform with four seat-and-occupant posi- and high-speed video cameras to meet customer needs.
tions. During tests, engineers can place common equipment
such as steering columns, radio racks and other government Benefits
furnished equipment on the platform. The CCUBS is sched- •  Records input and verification data for modeling and
Occupant Protection (OP) Laboratory uled to be operational in the fourth quarter of FY15. simulation (M&S).

Capabilities •  Increases confidence in technology performance prior

Located at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base (SANGB) Crew Compartment Underbody Blast Simulator The pneumatically actuated CCUBS device is capable of to live-fire events.
the OP lab consists of five unique labs: Anthropomorphic (CCUBS), Foot Impact Test Fixture, Head Impact Labo- testing impulses up to 350 gravitational force/acceleration
Test Drive (ATD) Certification Laboratory, ratory (HIL) and Sub-System Drop Tower (SSDT). (g) –5 meters per second (m/s) on a global level, and up to •  Validates M&S results quickly and inexpensively.
1,100 g–2.5 m/s at each seating position. The total payload is
2,200 lbs. The CCUBS is also capable of testing slam-down •  Fills capability gap between component/subsys-
impulses up to 90 g–20 m/s. The OP Lab uses Hybrid III tem level testing and full vehicle Live-Fire Test and
ATDs – or crash test dummies – with internal instrumentation Evaluation.
to record load data in the head, neck, spine, thorax and legs.

Foot Impact Test Fixture

The Foot Impact Test Fixture simulates underbody Benefits

blast and IED events to evaluate floor padding materials •  Records input and verification data for M&S.
for integration into military ground vehicles. The Foot Fix-
ture consists of an adjustable rigid seat and pneumatically •  Increases confidence in technology performance prior
operated foot impactor. A wide variety of floor padding and to sub-system level, system level and live-fire events.
energy attenuating devices can be mounted to the foot
impactor to quickly evaluate and assess performance. •  Validates M&S results quickly and inexpensively.

Capabilities
•  The Foot Fixture can test impulses up to 500g-5ms.
The rigid seat is adjustable for all sizes of ATDs and can
be set to maintain any ATD position required.

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 Ground System Survivability Ground System Survivability

HIL Rapid Evaluation Capability (REC)

The HIL uses testing devices to evaluate vehicle interior impactor design is capable of falling within specified horizon-
energy attenuating (EA) technologies for mitigating head tal/vertical ranges. The FMH is built to the 50th percentile
injuries resulting from head impacts during mine/ IED events male, and methodology for testing with advanced combat
and vehicle crashes. helmets is ongoing. The OP Lab has a full range of external
The HIL includes a free motion headform (FMH) with instrumentation including accelerometers, load cells, string
three accelerometers installed in the head cavity. The impac- potentiometers and high-speed video cameras to meet cus-
tor launches the FMH within specified approach angles at tomer needs.
the target area within the vehicle being tested to measure
orthongonal accelerations at the conjugate gradient of the Benefits
head assembly. Data is then recorded by the FMH and ana- •  Acquisition of input and verification data for M&S.
lyzed to assess potential sustained injuries.
•  Increases confidence of technology performance prior
Capabilities to live-fire events.
The HIL is capable of testing at any velocity with test fix-
tures located within the vehicle to allow targeting. The HIL •  An inexpensive and quick means of validating M&S
may use any means of propelling the FMH as long as the results.

The REC, located at Camp Grayling, MI, uses the only Benefits
SSDT high-explosive impact area in the state to conduct year-round •  Preliminary feasibility assessments are more cost
experiments and evaluations. In coordination with the Michi- effective than conducting actual tests.
SSDT evaluates OP technologies for performance in sim- gan National Guard, REC uses 147,000 acres to develop and
ulated underbody blast events. The SSDT consists of a large assess technologies and system integrations on platforms •  The secluded location provides for discrete evaluation
platform on which a variety of test specimens are mounted. before they undergo validation tests. of technology readiness.
The SSDT tests floors, ceilings and wall-mounted seats, floor
padding materials, data acquisition black boxes and other EA Capabilities •  A controlled experiment/evaluation setting allows for
devices. The SSDT is capable of simulating a wide range of REC provides real-time experiments and evaluates
•   rapid changes as necessary.
mine/IED blasts and measuring the effects on vehicle occu- emerging technologies against high-explosive threats,
pants subjected to the impulse. including explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), rocket •  Mobile experiment laboratories facilitate immediate
propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank guided missiles data capture, analysis and collaboration.
Capabilities (ATGMs), recoilless rifles, mines, direct-fire cannon and
The SSDT is capable of testing impulses up to 350 g-5ms, mortar, shaped charges and automated fire suppression.
with a payload of up to 1,000 lbs. The lab possesses a wide REC also verifies medium-caliber armor welds to quickly
range of test instrumentation to conduct testing, including determine technology maturity.
Hybrid III ATDs, accelerometers, load cells, string potentiom-
eters and high-speed video cameras. REC uses remote firing controls, multiple high-speed
•  
video camera angles and mobile experiment labs for
Benefits real-time data/video capture and analysis with large
•  Records input and verification data for M&S. workspaces and collaboration areas.

•  Increases confidence in technology performance prior

to live-fire events.

•  Validates M&S results quickly and inexpensively.

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 Ground System Survivability GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY

Survivability Armor Ballistic Laboratory (SABL) Elastomer Laboratory

The SABL provides independent analysis, ballistic testing, Capabilities Capabilities

data collection, data reduction and qualification of current The SABL provides the ability to launch a wide range of The Elastomer Lab conducts failure mode analysis of
and advanced armors. foreign small arms, kinetic energy threats (up to 30 mm), bushings, tank pads, road wheels and backer pads, and
fragment simulating projectiles (FSP) and ballistic weld pro- establishes new test methods for material qualification.
jectiles at test-specific velocities. Technicians in this lab can screen and down select preferred
The lab is used to conduct 2,352 Army Tank Purchase materials for testing at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ. As a pre-
Description (ATPD), First-Article Testing (FAT), Production liminary material and test qualification center, the lab estab-
Control Testing (PCT) and to support government and cus- lishes performance and materials specifications to ensure
tomer-directed research in armor development. components meet durability and performance requirements.
This team also conducts failure analysis with use of a
high-speed video capture system up to 60,000 feet per sec- Benefits
ond, 10 microseconds rendering and a flash X-ray system. •  Provides in-house expertise in track materials, design
Existing equipment includes an Environmental Condition- and functionality to improve durability and reliability of all
ing Chamber, full machine shop, a welding lab, flash X-ray combat vehicle track elastomer components.
and high-speed video.
•  Updates and develops new standards for any military
Benefits elastomeric components.
•  Increases crew survivability due to a standard bench- The Elastomer Lab performs research, development
mark that all transparent armor is measured against. and testing to characterize elastomer components specific •  Develops testing techniques to satisfy unique DoD con-
to track and suspension systems on legacy vehicles. Key ditions and properly test components.
Reduces transparent armor acquisition costs due to
•  
objectives are characterization, failure mode analysis through
more competition.
benchmarking and screening current and improved materi- •  Provides DoD the capability to independently verify and
•  Improves consistent ballistic performance. als. The team tests production materials for compliance and validate supplied elastomeric component test results.
•  Reduces life-cycle costs. defines performance requirements for improved specifica-
tions. Results can be shared across other programs with
•  International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
elastomer, plastic and composite applications.
17025 accredited.

Vehicle Armor Laboratory (VAL)

The VAL is a multifunctional facility that focuses on com- Test equipment in the VAL includes a Thermotron envi-
posite materials research, development, fabrication and inte- ronmental chamber, electric screw test machine and a non-
gration. The VAL is a combination of two different areas: a fixed dual post actuator system.
1,000-square-foot environmentally controlled room for fab-
ric cutting, specimen preparation and test control, and a Benefits
6,000-square-foot open bay space containing test and fab- •  A bility to design, fabricate and test composite parts at
rication equipment. a coupon, sub-system and system level to find material
issues at a stage of development that is economical to
Capabilities correct.
The VAL has the capability to design and build composite
systems for structural, armor and general vehicle applications. •  Fabrication of prototype parts allows for improved
Through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) soft- transition and manufacturing in a full-scale production
ware and a computer-controlled cutting table, VAL engi- environment.
neers/technicians can rapidly fabricate custom-sized and cus-
tom-shaped composite panels. For parts containing metal, •  In conjunction with the on-site ballistic test facility,
ceramic or especially thick section composites, the VAL has armor design and integration concepts are rapidly fabri-
a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) router, automated cated and tested.
wet table saw, curing oven and walk-in freezer for storage of
specialty materials.

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 GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY

Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory (GSPEL) Electric Components Laboratory (ECL)

GSPEL consists of seven unique laboratories that can test and evaluate everything from individual component systems to absorption and supply capabilities with voltage, current and
entire vehicles of any size. power control and a 350-horsepower AC dynamometer.

Capabilities
The lab’s 346 kilowatt (kW) four-quadrant dynamometer
supports testing of high-power traction motors and inline
Air Filtration Laboratory generators (3,321 Newton meters (Nm) torque from 0-1,000
rpm). Its 12,000 rpm capability covers the full-speed range
The Air Filtration Lab provides testing of air filtration Capabilities of potential military motor/generator operation and the dual
devices to demonstrate and validate new or legacy system The lab’s four different flow benches utilize varying flows 250 kW supplies (900 volt/1,000 amp) allow testing of high-
capabilities in a controlled environment. from 250 Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute (SCFM), 2,000 power electronic controllers and converters, as well as pro-
SCFM, 5,000 SCFM and 12,000 SCFM. Each flow stream viding power for motor testing. AC and DC load banks pro-
is equipped with an automated dust feeder enabling simula- vide up to 250 kW power absorption capabilities.
tions from zero visibility to four times zero visibility for evalua-
tion of air filters, cleaners and other equipment/components. The ECL supports research, development, characteriza- Benefits
tion and testing of high-voltage, high-power components •  Analyze future electrical power generation and control
Benefits necessary for military vehicle electrification and hybrid-elec- technologies for the Army.
•  Improves prime power life cycle. tric technology. This lab’s research extends to a testing cell
in the Propulsion Laboratory that has programmable power •  Hardware-in-the-loop controls development.
•  Evaluates proposed vehicle maintenance efficiencies.

•  Provides first-article testing before vehicle

implementation.

•  Troubleshoots failures of current fielded systems.

Energy Storage Laboratory (ESL)

The ESL, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, evaluates Benefits

and qualifies batteries and other electrochemical technolo- •  Provides cradle-to-grave research and testing support
gies at the cell, module and battery pack levels. for all DoD ground vehicle energy storage systems.

Calorimeter Laboratory Capabilities Aids in assessing technical readiness levels (TRLs),

•  
The ESL is comprised of three large battery test rooms, understanding new technologies and supporting the
The Calorimeter Lab is one of the largest in the world. It Capabilities a Battery Management System (BMS) laboratory, two test PEOs when determining whether systems are ready for
is capable of delivering airflow volumes up to 50,000-cubic- The Calorimeter Lab is designed to establish the func- chambers and storage rooms. Multiple cell/battery cyclers fielding.
feet per minute with a state-of-the-art data acquisition and tional characteristics and test the performance limits of heat on a centralized control system, thermal ovens and tempera-
control system. exchangers (radiators), charge air coolers, transmissions and ture controlled water baths support a variety of electrochem- •  Provides warfighters with solutions for fielded and future
oil coolers, and determine and evaluate the airflow across ical tests. The ESL has equipment that allows simultaneous systems.
and through ballistic grills on armored ground vehicles. testing of more than 100 batteries and cells (12V and 24V
batteries at approximately 100 amps (A)) and specialized The ESL can test manufacturer performance claims
•  
Benefits equipment allowing high-voltage battery testing and cold on battery products and provide usable data for design
•  Expedites the development process for vehicle engine cranking. The ESL also has the ability to test the maturity of purposes.
and transmission cooling systems under simulated field BMS technologies within the BMS laboratory.
service environmental conditions.

Provides mission-critical support for all ground vehi-

•  
cle thermal management systems to demonstrate
future concepts, validate new systems implementation
and troubleshoot legacy systems in a controlled test
environment.

14 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 15

 GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY

Fuel Cell Laboratory (FCL) Thermal Management and Controls Laboratory

The FCL provides testing for technology readiness of Benefits The Thermal Management and Controls Lab is a special- Benefits
fuel cell systems and develops hybrid fuel cell installations in •  Provides independent government testing for TRL vali- ized developmental test facility which is fully operational and •  Supports the test, evaluation and validation of state-of-
robots and vehicles. The FCL investigates tests and verifies dation of fuel-cell systems. equipped with bench breadboard build and test capabilities the-art technologies on a component and module level.
the performance of fuel-cell systems and fuel reformers for for component-level systems.
use with manned and unmanned ground systems. •  Offers complete fuel and reformate analysis to verify •  Develops advanced control systems to improve effi-
sulfur removal and fuel-reforming technologies. Capabilities ciency, increase capability and improve Army ground
Capabilities The Thermal Management Lab has four workbenches vehicle survivability.
Engineers in the FCL test, develop and integrate power •  Uses M&S to confidently evaluate future designs. with electrical and water supplies optimized for compo-
sources for ground systems and validate fuel-cell compo- nent-level testing, as well as two work tables and a chem- •  Aids in understanding thermoelectric generators and
nents, fuel reformers and auxiliary power unit systems per- •  Integrates fuel cell power systems in ground vehicles to ical vent hood. It contains multiple chillers/liquid tempera- control systems that support the PEOs/PMs in deter-
formed to ISO 17025 standards. investigate fuel cell performance and utility. ture controllers that allow researchers to perform a variety mining system readiness.
of tests, including thermoelectric power characterization,
bench scaling and performance characterization of different •  Provides highly efficient technologies with capabilities
modules. to increase vehicle range, operational energy, onboard
electrical power and fuel economy.

Power and Energy Vehicle Environmental Laboratory (PEVEL)

Equipped with multiple dynamom-

eters, the PEVEL provides the tools
required for full vehicle powertrain testing, Propulsion Laboratory
evaluation and assessment on wheeled
and tracked vehicles through external load The Propulsion Lab simulates field test conditions in a environment allows for highly directed studies of failure
control and data collection. PMs, PEOs, controlled environment, using standardized or customized modes, performance improvements, fuel economy and
manufacturers, academics and research- test procedures. The Propulsion Lab’s 11 cells can test capabilities of vehicle systems and sub systems.
ers can use these tools to create, assess vehicles for full-load cooling; tractive effort vs. speed; fuel
and validate vehicle design, functionality economy; air conditioning; engine (performance, endurance, Capabilities
and utility in a fully controlled and repeat- qualification, acceptance); transmission performance and Six cells contain dynamometers. Three full vehicle/trans-
able environment. efficiency; and drive axle endurance. mission/drive axle cells are designed for both steady-state
Cell 4’s upgrades open partnership opportunities for orig- and transient tests. Cells offer simulated heat to 160° F and
Capabilities inal equipment manufacturers (OEM) to collaborate with wind speeds up to 20 mph.
The PEVEL chamber enables testing at TARDEC to baseline and test potential powertrain technolo-
temperatures from minus 60° F to 160° F gies for an Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle. Benefits
and humidity levels from 0 to 95 percent In 2015, Cell 5 will become the upgraded Combat Power- •  The test cell’s total sprocket output load absorbing
relative humidity, making it possible to train Lab (CPL), adding new capabilities to TARDEC’s labora- capacity permits testing of any known military ground
produce real-world vehicle performance tory facilities including Regenerative Steer Testing and Road vehicle in any transmission gear range.
and capability comparisons. The PEVEL Load Simulation (RLS).
can generate wind speed up to 60 mph The CPL allows engineers to perform regenerative steer •  CPL’s enhanced capabilities will allow testing prior to
and solar load up to 1,200 watts/per square meter (W/m2). producing real-world vehicle and component perfor- testing on complete vehicles, transmissions or power packs. fielding, saving both time and money.
Additionally, the PEVEL can process electrical power up to mance/capability comparisons. Before the CPL was built, this type of testing was performed
800 kW, wheeled vehicle torque up to 34,000 pound-foot (lb- on a limited basis at an outside laboratory using inertia •  RLS will allow vehicle testing on simulated terrain in
ft) and tracked vehicle torque up to 42,000 lb-ft. Compatible •  Functions as a systems integration laboratory (SIL); wheels that enable short-duration steer regeneration. The controlled environments. The combined effect enables
fuels for testing in the PEVEL include hydrogen, DF-s, JP-8, fully supports hardware-in-the-loop simulation. CPL provides a significant improvement by enabling contin- failure mode analysis, performance improvements, fuel
JET-A, bio-diesel and synthetic blends. uous steering torque regeneration testing, which results in economy and vehicle system capabilities.
•  Addresses the testing gap for multi-axle wheeled vehi- higher fidelity testing of tracked vehicle transmissions.
Benefits cles and provides additional evaluation capabilities for The CPL also enables RLS testing, which allows a vehi-
•  Functions as a test-bed to evaluate vehicle system vehicle on-road performance. cle, transmission or power-pack to be operated on a mission
performance in any operational environment. profile or simulated terrain to evaluate the performance of
the component or system. Incorporating this capability with
•  Allows for testing in extreme climates under various loads. other GSPEL test cells allows the vehicle to operate on a
simulated terrain in highly controlled environments. The
•  Performs repeatable tests on components or vehicles, combined effect of using the simulated terrain and controlled

16 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 17

 GROUND VEHICLE POWER & MOBILITY GROUND VEHICLE ROBOTICS

Test Cell 9 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Interoperability Laboratory

The UGV Interoperability Lab provides the capability to Benefits

verify vendor conformance against government-defined Brings IOP conformance testing capability local to
•  
interoperability profiles (IOPs). This capability allows custom- TARDEC customers.
ers to verify a system or component against their program
requirements, and helps facilitate increased commonality as Provides ability to select best-value components to
•  
well as reduce life-cycle costs. meet program needs.

Capabilities Helps ensure commonality of components for given

•  
The UGV Interoperability Lab provides capabilities to ver- platforms.
ify conformance against the UGV IOPs, including overarch-
ing, payloads, controls and Joint Architecture for Unmanned Gives knowledgeable personnel the ability to help
•  
Systems profiling rules. The lab’s Conformance Verification quickly identify and address IOP issues.
Tool software and physical/electrical interface testing tools
provide a flexible, automated way to test system/payload •  Assists government vendors in developing IOP-compli-
physical, electrical and logical interfaces, as part of the lab’s ant systems and subsystems.
payload/system conformance verification bench. The lab also
provides reference architectures for use in testing, including
both simulated and physical reference platforms and opera-
tor control units (OCUs).

GVPM’s Propulsion Test Cell 9 is a climatic chamber with Benefits

wind capability equipped to evaluate continuous vehicle per- •  Cell 9 is the only facility in the United States that can test
formance in extreme climates under full-load conditions. full-load cooling on heavy combat vehicles.

Capabilities •  The lab controls multiple aspects of environmental condi-

Cell 9 replicates solar loading up to 1,120 W/m2 and tions to enable repeatable testing for vehicle diagnostics.
tracked vehicle loading from 88,000 lb-ft per side from 15
rpm to 250 rpm and 128,000 lb-ft per side at stall. Ambient
temperature is controlled up to 160° F. Air is streamed from
eight different directions with velocity control from 5 mph to
20 mph. There are more than 600 data channels for monitor-
ing and logging data.

18 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 19

 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SERVICES SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SERVICES

Ground Vehicle Software Development MRAP System Integration Laboratory (SIL)

The Software Engineering Services (SEC) Software Benefits The MRAP SIL provides the facilities and expertise to sup- •  A platform SIL speeds development, integration and
Development Team provides support to TACOM Life Cycle •  Improves Current Force effectiveness. port MRAP Command, Control, Communications and Com- test activities by negating the need for a vehicle test
Management Command (LCMC) customers to resolve soft- puters (C4) system insertions and deviations for MRAP vehi- platform.
ware-related issues as they develop enhancements to improve •  Supports the development of software requirements. cle variants and configurations throughout their life cycles.
Current Force effectiveness. The Software Development SIL activities include MRAP variant design, maintenance, •  The lab facilitates research and integration activities
Team applies a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach •  Identifies and resolves software issues for ground integration, test, production support, fielding and transition to through ease of reconfiguration not possible on a vehicle
for the development, operation and maintenance of software. vehicles. post-production program activities. platform.

Capabilities •  Effectively remediates software defects that degrade Capabilities •  High-fidelity simulation capabilities are provided to sup-
The SEC Software Development Team provides expertise warfighter and/or system performance and readiness. The MRAP SIL provides a realistic environment to conduct port mission scenario execution with Soldier-in-the loop
in the ground system software development domain with a electronics/software vehicle architecture system development. testing.
primary focus on real-time embedded systems. SEC also •  Develops software fixes to resolve Soldier-identified Testing, power studies, Soldier training, human factors analysis,
expanded its capabilities to encompass growing domains field problems and/or safety issues, increasing simulations, technical manual validation and sustainment, and •  The SIL can be networked for interactive test or simula-
and services, including on-board data collection, data anal- warfighter capabilities. production support can be performed in the lab. The MRAP tion with other Army assets.
ysis, diagnostic applications, prognostic applications, algo- SIL also provides a functioning environment for verification and
rithm development and software architecture to support •  Develops customizable software adhering to unique validation of prototype vehicle cable design and testing. •  The SIL supports platform C4ISR [Intelligence, Surveil-
ongoing Army Technology Objectives. customer requirements. lance and Reconnaissance]/data network development,
Benefits and power distribution and management architectures.
•  The MRAP SIL provides space claim and personnel
to establish and maintain facilities that support MRAP
Integrated Bridge and C4 system life cycles. The MRAP
Pre- and Post-Production Software Support (P3S2) Team SIL supports both the M-ATV and larger MaxxPro Dash
configurations.
The SEC Post-Production Software Support (PPSS) team Benefits
provides support to Army software-intensive/embedded •  The P3S2 team delivers zero defects software to
weapon systems during and after production to ensure its soft- warfighters.
ware supports operational missions and subsequent systems
modifications in accordance with Army Enterprise Architec- •  The P3S2 team conducts OPS 29 budget reviews.
ture compliance guidelines. PPSS requirements begin the first Tactical Cybersecurity Engineering Team (TCET)
full fiscal year after weapon system hardware production is •  The PPSS team provides knowledge and expertise to the
completed. Abrams M1A2 tank through Systems Engineering Plan The SEC’s Tactical Cybersecurity Engineering Team Benefits
The PM is responsible and accountable for the weapon sys- version 2 software. (TCET) provides security engineering support to various PMs •  Expert domain knowledge in certifying and accrediting
tem throughout its life cycle, from program initiation through and organizations by addressing cybersecurity concerns for tactical systems and obtaining Authority to Operate.
demilitarization and disposal. The PM defines the criteria for •  Prepares PPSS requirements for Core, PM Abrams, Tactical System Platforms during their development. The
•  Supports the Information Assurance (IA) managers for
selecting a Software Support Agency (SSA) — in this case Stryker, MRAP, M1A1ED, M1200 AK, PQAS-E and TCET provides security engineering support throughout the
regulation compliance.
the SEC — to manage planning, programming, budgeting and Wolverine for each POM. acquisition life cycle, ensuring security is designed into the
program execution. Software funding requirements for each system early in the process. The TCET also examines cyber- •  Provides Certified Information Systems Security Pro-
weapon system are documented in the POM at least two years •  Populates Depot Maintenance Operations Planning System security research efforts while transitioning applicable cyber fessionals trained in DoD IA Workforce Improvement
prior to the weapon system’s transition date. database with PPSS funding. technology onto TARDEC platforms to field secure systems. Program Requirements.
•  Security engineers perform IA vulnerability scans,
Capabilities •  The P3S2 team provides input to Weapon System Review Capabilities identifying risks and weaknesses during the develop-
The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) assesses SEC supporting the PM Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT) TCET provides security engineering support to develop ment process.
performance capabilities to ensure compliance at Level Three and PM Stryker BCT. tactical systems that are in compliance with Army and DoD
•  Security engineers identify and harden ground domain
SEI Capability Maturity Model Integration. Funding require- cybersecurity rules and regulations. Capabilities include con-
information systems.
ments for weapon systems are prepared by the SEC and •  Participates in the TACOM LCMC resource summit each ducting, monitoring, directing and coordinating cybersecurity
briefed at Department of the Army and AMC Operation and fiscal year to assess emerging modifications or upgrade activities for tactical system development. TCET assists in •  Enhanced ability to identify risks associated with IA/
Programs Summaries (OPS) 29 yearly budget reviews. This initiatives, address systems supportability and military determining and defining solution security requirements, cybersecurity and mitigate early in the project life cycle.
process leads to scope-of-work development and require- worth issues. architecting and designing security solutions and implement- •  Engineers conduct/analyze software assurance scans on
ments allocation to provide optimal software engineering ing the security solutions on tactical system platforms. in-house- and contractor-developed software to reduce
management. Executing software validation, verification and •  Assists PMs formulate, implement and execute their potential vulnerabilities in software codes.
testing develops an Organizational Set of Standards Processes sustainment strategies so that the system’s design and
for software development and improvement using modular product support package development are well integrated •  Provide recommendations to mitigate or address secu-
open systems architecture. and contribute to the warfighter’s mission requirements. rity risk for tactical platforms.

20 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 21

 SPECIAL PROGRAMS OFFICE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS & ARCHITECTURE

Ground Vehicle Acoustics Laboratory (GVAL) Research System Integration Laboratory (SIL)

The Special Programs Office operates the mobile GVAL, The acoustic arrays are diagnostic tools supporting acous- The VEA Research SIL (VRS) is essential to the success Capabilities
which provides independent diagnostic and developmental tic signature reduction efforts and can identify the frequency of the TARDEC 30-Year Strategy. The vast majority of the The VRS showcases a reference implementation of
assessments for both legacy and future Army vehicle acous- content and location of sound energy radiated by compo- TARDEC Capability Sets face challenging electronics integra- advanced architectural concepts, including high-voltage stan-
tics. The lab supports the development of vehicle acoustics nents as transmitted through the vehicle structure or radiated tion issues. The VRS addresses these issues by designing, dards. The VRS has a Defense Research and Engineering
specifications, acoustics test planning and vehicle acoustics through vehicle apertures. developing and implementing an advanced ground vehicle Network connection to the C4ISR SIL at Aberdeen Proving
reduction efforts and has the software tools to make aural power and data network architecture along with the corre- Ground, MD, allowing both simulation and stimulus of rep-
detection range predictions. Benefits sponding system designs when needed. When complete, resentative external network components that could be inte-
•  Provides in-house expertise and support in all aspects the VRS will position TARDEC as the go-to resource for grated into a ground vehicle.
Capabilities of vehicle acoustics. ground vehicle electronics architecture design, power archi-
The GVAL has a vehicle pass-by measurement system tecture design and electronic/electrical engineering exper- Benefits
compliant with MIL-STD-1474D and two acoustic arrays capa- •  Focuses on quieter vehicles, which improve the tise. It will provide the ability for TARDEC to support PEO/PM •  Provides SIL environment where contractors and ven-
ble of collecting acoustic data for both moving and stationary warfighters’ ability to maneuver. modernization efforts, and build the human capital expertise dors can bring electronic equipment to be integrated.
vehicles. Pass-by measurements support human aural detec- in this area.
tion range prediction, assess the contribution from different •  Reduces interior noise, improving vehicle manpower The VRS develops and demonstrates an implementation •  Provides “proving ground” for future architectural
noise sources using overkill treatments and can determine and personnel integration characteristics. of a complete VEA reference architecture to address the concepts.
the overall effectiveness of acoustic treatments. power, vetronics and Command, Control, Communications,
Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance •  Provides connectivity and insight into next-generation
(C4ISR) integration challenges facing the modernization of Communications-Electronics Research, Development
the ground vehicle domain. The VRS also supports experi- and Engineering Center C4ISR systems.
mentation with future architectural concepts and implemen-
tation. This centralizes the Army’s approach to integrating
electronics on ground vehicles, saving cost and reducing
redundant work across multiple programs. This effort also
includes power management technologies.

VICTORY* System Integration Laboratory (VICTORY SIL)

The VICTORY SIL was developed to help facilitate verifi- Benefits

cation and validation of the VICTORY standards in support of •  Provides an independent implementation of VICTORY
near-term PEO GCS Engineering Change Proposal efforts. It proposed standards.
also provides a facility where vendor components are inde-
pendently verified to VICTORY standards. The VICTORY SIL •  Advances VICTORY standards from “proposed” to
has a representative vehicle cabin to demonstrate the VIC- “draft.”
TORY standards in a system-level vehicle environment.
•  Identifies and clarifies issues with the VICTORY pro-
Capabilities posed standards.
The VICTORY SIL offers contractors the ability to bring
hardware and software solutions to be tested and verified * VICTORY — Vehicular Integration for Command, Control, Com-
at VICTORY standards. The testing would be performed munication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnais-
via a Test Service Agreement between the contractor and sance (C4ISR)/Electronic Warfare Interoperability.
TARDEC.

22 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 23

 place holder place holder

24 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 25

 Advanced Concepts ANALYTICS

Ground Systems Concepts Laboratory (GSCL) Modeling and Simulation

GSCL consists of high-performance CAD stations and Benefits The TARDEC Systems Engineering (SE) group serves Computational fluid dynamics simulation allows the Army
associated software located in a secure facility. Provides the joint ground systems acquisition, combat as the DoD’s premier organization for fast and accurate to assess:
developer and S&T communities with the answers to key ground vehicle system computational M&S services. •  Air flow through heat exchangers for propulsion cooling.
Capabilities questions: SE Analytics uses in-house engineering analysts to per-
The GSCL provides infrastructure that allows the genera- •  W hat are the expected concept weights or sys- form Soldier-centric vehicle assessments of new systems •  Requirements compliance associated with the thermal
tion of realistic, conceptual-level ground systems computer tem-level weight impacts? and modifications to existing systems. SE assessments environment for electronics through HVAC (heating,
models and industrial design ideation for the joint forces. advise customers on impacts to system-level performance ventilating and air condition) simulation.
Ground system projects include modifications to existing sys- •  W hat are the overall expected concept system and also identify improvements to Army and DoD vehicle
tems as well as new concepts. The laboratory also allows for dimensions? designs. Analytics has world-class experts in numerous •  Fire suppression systems to improve crew survivability.
classified model generation. The lab’s database contains cur- areas including: vehicle dynamics, blast and crash M&S,
rent and future vehicle conceptual models and technologies, •  W hat is the concept’s physical architecture? injury biomechanics, physics of failure, engine and pow- •  Hydrodynamic and motion dynamics performance for
increasing the efficiency of generating new vehicle concepts er-train M&S, computational fluid dynamics, reduced order wet gap bridging/rafting systems with ground vehicle
as well as streamlining modifications to existing ground vehi- •  W hat are the tradeoffs and impacts of different con- modeling, and data mining and optimization analyses. The loading scenarios.
cle systems. cepts and/or technologies? group enables TARDEC to provide DoD with a one-stop
shop for rigorous evaluation of existing and conceptual vehi- •  External vehicle airflow to improve vehicle drag for
•  W hat are the system-level impacts of operational or cle systems. increased fuel economy.
technical requirements?
Capabilities In addition, radiative energy simulations allow the Army to
The Energetic Effects and Crew Safety Team focuses assess a vehicle system’s acoustic, infrared and radar signa-
on providing the Army with superior computational M&S tures, leading to the design of more efficient and less detect-
capability for assessing Soldier-centered survivability. Sol- able vehicles.
diers in Army ground vehicle systems are vulnerable to The Computational Methods & System Behavior
normal automotive-type collisions, rollovers and explosively Team combines numerous M&S areas within TARDEC’s
induced vehicle damage. Advanced occupant and vehicle Analytics Group to perform multi-disciplinary optimization,
modeling techniques pioneered by Detroit’s automotive reduced order or meta modeling, response-surface meth-
industry, and further refined by combining years of indus- odologies to enhance system-of-systems level analysis and
try and Army experience, are used to evaluate performance system engineering processes to optimize vehicle design.
assessments in vehicle structural integrity and occupant
injury risk. Benefits
The Powertrain M&S Team provides the Army with •  Analytics is the Army’s premier organization for pro-
vehicle power and efficiency models to improve ground viding fast and accurate system-level computational
platform mobility and fuel efficiency. The team assesses physics and math-based M&S technical services.
vehicle capabilities such as top speed, acceleration and off-
road performance before an initial prototype is built. This •  In-house M&S analysts utilize specialized tools and
allows the Army to construct a multitude of vehicle designs processes to perform Soldier-centric vehicle assess-
and conduct performance comparison studies to ensure ments of new systems and modifications to existing
only optimal designs are built. PMs across DoD rely on the systems.
team to ensure platforms deliver the required power and
mobility objectives while minimizing logistics and sustain- •  A ssessments advise customers on impacts to
ability costs. system-level performance, risk mitigation and recom-
The Dynamics and Durability M&S Team is the Army’s mend improvements to Army and DoD ground vehicle
frontrunner in assessing ground vehicle stability, handling, designs.
automotive performance, reliability, durability and fatigue.
TARDEC pioneered vehicle dynamics modeling techniques •  T he group provides timely, cost-effective computa-
more than 30 years ago and continues to build on these tional and full-spectrum advanced computational M&S
techniques. State-of-the-art software technologies are services for ground vehicle systems, enabling superior
applied to ground systems to conduct physics-based perfor- product quality and reduced development costs.
mance assessments for dynamics, on-road/off-road mobil-
ity, durability and fatigue.
The Thermal and Signature M&S Team brings com-
putational fluid dynamics and signature capabilities to the
Army ground vehicle community and forms a cornerstone
of research to improve Army ground vehicle effectiveness.

26 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 27

 CENTER FOR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION CENTER FOR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Center for Systems Integration (CSI) Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) System

CSI was established to harness the intellectual and physi- Coating (CARC) painting. The PIF has more than 22,000 square The DMD system is the latest technology available Benefits
cal capital of the Army’s organic Research, Development and feet of assembly area, including 15 fully customizable assembly through CSI to assist the warfighter. By utilizing laser and •  Adds additional metal to a 3D surface using a 5-axis
Engineering Centers (RDECs) to conduct robust systems bays and multiple overhead rail cranes that allow the physical powdered metal processes, this system remanufactures motion system.
development and integration using a repeatable systems engi- integration of engineered systems and subsystems onto many worn and damaged parts for ground systems without the
neering approach. CSI provides core engineering, prototyping ground platforms. added cost and time associated with standard production. •  Narrows heat affected zone, resulting in reduced micro-
and project management capabilities, and complements these CSI combines its engineering and prototype integration structure modifications.
skills by leveraging the distributed capabilities of other RDECs, capabilities, as well as those of its contributing partners, Capabilities
depots, arsenals, government agencies and industry. through a detailed project management process. It enables The DMD system is a laser-based, additive fabrication Offers a wide variety of material capability, including
•  
management of the entire project’s cost, schedule, perfor- technology which combines five common manufacturing steels, stainless steel and titanium alloys, among others.
Capabilities mance and risk, from project requirements definition through technologies together (lasers, CAD, computer-aided manu-
CSI employs best engineering practices to develop and system development, to TDP delivery. facturing (CAM), sensors and powder metallurgy) to repair
integrate solutions at the component, subsystem and inte- and rebuild worn/damaged components that are difficult to
grated vehicle system levels. It applies these same approaches Benefits weld. This additive metal technology also reconfigures parts
successfully to diverse products such as bridges and capabil- CSI’s ability to do internal government engineering, proto- to accommodate design changes, improving efficiency and
ity insertion into Army watercraft. Core capabilities include typing and integration results in several benefits: reducing lead time.
mechanical and electrical engineering, reverse engineering, •  A bility to start a project within days of identifying a need.
electronics, circuit boards, wiring harnesses and embedded
software. Solutions are documented and transitioned through •  Flexibility to adapt to evolving project requirements.
technical data packages (TDPs), including production-ready
engineering drawings, bills of materials and user manuals. Tools •  Flexibility in production and sustainment through deliv-
include Creo computer-aided design (CAD) modeling, Finite ery of a government-owned TDP.
Element Analysis (FEA), human factors and failure analysis.
CSI houses TARDEC’s Prototype Integration Facility (PIF) Early production options through partnerships with
•  
where engineering solutions are realized in physical form for depots and arsenals.
evaluation and delivery to customers. Capabilities include an
extensive machining and welding area with laser and water jet •  Capability to fabricate small quantities to meet urgent
cutting machines, computer numerical control (CNC) machin- timelines.
ing, ballistic-certified welding and Chemical Agent Resistant

28 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 29

 CENTER FOR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION CENTER FOR SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Electronic Development Team (EDT) Laboratory Towing and Recovery

The EDT supports the Soldier by providing quality solu- microscopes for circuit board trace analysis, RF network ana- CSI recently acquired the Towing and Recovery mission Benefits
tions to electrical engineering problems. CSI’s EDT is com- lyzers and power and load banks for testing vehicle electrical area for TARDEC. It now provides engineering support for •  Provides support to warfighters in the field by respond-
mitted to providing quality design and analysis, quickly and systems. the towing and recovery needs of current and future vehi- ing to requests for information and suggestions for
efficiently. Utilizing the EDT Labs are dedicated engineers cle platforms. Areas of expertise include tow bars, winches, improvement.
and technicians capable of solving a variety of electrical prob- Benefits trailers, wreckers, and traditional and expedient recovery
lems, ranging from basic electrical design to advanced sys- •  Diagnose electrical problems for various pieces of com- techniques. •  Identifies capability gaps and finds solutions.
tem-wide troubleshooting. munication systems, circuit boards, antenna and other
electronic devices. Capabilities Increases warfighter safety by providing more robust
•  
Capabilities CSI now provides support for identifying gaps in require- equipment.
EDT capabilities include circuit board design and fabrica- •  Uses dedicated high bays equipped with exhaust ments or equipment capabilities, finds custom or commercial
tion, industrial control solutions, radio frequency (RF) com- extraction systems for prolonged vehicle operation solutions to address gaps, creates and manages test plans •  Enables faster vehicle recovery with minimal equipment
munication systems, RF/Power cable design and fabrication, indoors. to validate the recommended solutions, and writes usage damage, reducing life-cycle cost.
CANBus architecture design and complete vehicle integra- instructions and training plans for new equipment. As the
tions. The EDT Labs include RF spectrum analyzers, oscillo- •  Offers a secured high bay capable of supporting secret Joint Forces Towing and Recovery lead, TARDEC maintains •  Shares information throughout DoD’s towing and recov-
scopes, frequency and function generators, communication clearance level programs. dedicated pages on the AKO, milSuite and Sharepoint web- ery community.
interface monitors, automated cable inspectors, high power sites, with recovery information, project updates and lessons
learned. CSI facilitates collaboration across the DoD, working
with multiple agencies to improve requirements definition,
training, testing and equipment design to make towing and
recovery operations safer and more efficient for warfighters.

Robotic Weld Laboratory (RWL)

on the robot and faster cycle times by simulating the weld

beforehand. In addition, TARDEC welding staff can provide
technical support to resolve welding-related manufacturing
issues, evaluate OEM weld processes for conformance to
weld standards and develop welding requirements for acqui-
sition programs.

Benefits
•  Conduct research projects for various arc welding
transfer modes.

•  Study both filler materials and base materials and the

effects welding has on them.

•  Build prototypes without the worry of human error in

the welding process.

•  Efficiently and rapidly weld production projects from

The RWL consists of a reconfigurable robotic arc welding small-to-large-scale.
cell and flexible tooling. This CSI lab also has hardware and
software for writing welding programs. •  Reduce total weapon system life-cycle cost by reducing
repair costs associated with weld-related cracks.
Capabilities
The RWL is used to perform accurate arc welding on steel •  Additive layer manufacturing capabilities.
and aluminum alloys. The arc welder is capable of pulse, short
circuit, spray and surface transfer tension welding modes.
The flexible tooling is dual sided and can hold multiple parts
up to 5,000 pounds in a 4-foot by 8-foot working envelope.
The WeldPro software allows for less programming time

30 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 31

 FORCE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY FORCE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY

Army Petroleum Laboratory (APL) Freshwater Treatment and Test Facility

The APL is a tenant organization at the Defense Depot Capabilities The Freshwater Treatment and Test Facility, located at TARDEC also has access to the Seawater Desalination
Susquehanna. APL provides quality surveillance testing of APL occupies 12,327 square feet of laboratory and office SANGB, has direct year-round access to water from Lake Test Facility, located at and operated by the Naval Facilities
bulk fuels including jet fuel, aviation (AV) gas, automotive space in New Cumberland, PA. The space is further divided St. Clair and has a State of Michigan approved National Pol- Engineering Service Center, Port Hueneme, CA. The Seawa-
gasoline, diesel fuel, burner fuel, kerosene, E-85 and bio-die- into six distinct labs for testing of coal, fuels and filter effec- lution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that ter Desalination Test Facility capabilities are comparable to
sels in accordance with Military Standard (MIL-STD) 3004 tiveness. To support timely delivery of test results, custom- allows discharge of up to 500,000 gallons per day of fresh the Freshwater Treatment and Test Facility but use natural
and Army Regulation (AR) 710-2, Supply Policy Below the ers can access reports electronically through secure Web water back into the lake. Daily monitoring is conducted with seawater as the test water. TARDEC has two permanent
National Level. APL packaged products testing includes servers. monthly reports submitted to the state. employees stationed at Port Hueneme to support the Army’s
lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, gear oils, engine water treatment and handling mission there, and to facilitate
coolants and select cleaners. These analyses typically sup- Benefits Capabilities use of the facility.
port either shelf-life extensions or first-article testing. Coal •  Quick testing turnaround. The Freshwater Treatment and Test Facility has two
testing performed for all DoD activities supports the qualifi- 3,000-gallons-per-hour Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Benefits
cation of coal seams at mines, and documents the quality of •  Cost-effective, continuous tests. Units (ROWPUs); four 600-gallons-per-hour ROWPUs in •  Availability of most Army water purification equipment
products delivered to installations. types one, two and three; two 1,500-gallons-per-hour Tacti- for use in test programs.
•  Skilled lab associates operating equipment. cal Water Purification Systems; and four Lightweight Water
Purifiers, representing the majority of fielded systems in the •  Controlled test environment with highly skilled operators.
•  Single-point testing to easily send samples. Army inventory. These systems help resolve field issues,
test new components and media, and support research on •  Access to year-round testing using a natural water source
•  Test results are maintained and accessible electronically. emerging technologies. The team also trains Soldiers on the within a controlled environment.
equipment’s operation and maintenance.
The Freshwater Treatment and Test Facility also has New equipment and sustainment training on military
•  
the capability to test and evaluate gray water recycle/reuse water treatment equipment.
systems and system components using a test water devel-
oped by the Water Treatment and Handling Equipment Team •  A bility to test and evaluate gray water treatment systems
based on gray water generated by shower and laundry sys- and components using contingency base representative
Bridging Technology Laboratory tems used on military contingency bases. gray water.

The Bridging Technology Lab is located at Selfridge Air

National Guard Base (SANGB), Harrison Township, MI.
The lab is capable of evaluating bridging components, sub-
assemblies and complete systems in a simulated environ-
ment. The lab offers unobstructed access within the building
and storage of large bridge components outside of the build- Fuels and Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants (POL) Laboratories
ing when they are not being tested.
The Fuels and Lubricants Technology Team operates and successfully passes test requirements, it’s added to the Qual-
Capabilities maintains the Fuels and POL Labs at TARDEC. Lab experts ified Products List for procurement.
TARDEC’s Bridging Technology Lab can support testing adhere to standardized American Society for Testing and The TARDEC Fuels and Lubricants Research Facility at
for complete bridges up to 210 feet long, 32 feet wide and Benefits Materials (ASTM), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, is a govern-
23 feet tall. The lab contains 10 hydraulic actuators capa- •  Controlled environment for year-round testing. International, ISO and federal testing methods. It also con- ment-owned, contractor-operated stand-alone laboratory
ble of simulating vehicle crossings at weights up to 1 mil- ducts highly specialized tests supporting basic research, with engine testing and analytical chemistry experiment
lion pounds — a system that minimizes risk to people and •  Proximity to TACOM LCMC and the PEOs. product development, qualification and other TARDEC lab capabilities and hundreds of standardized tests methods.
vehicles during evaluations of new materials and design con- efforts. Testing capabilities cover necessary powertrain prod-
cepts. Dedicated data acquisition equipment is also available •  Data collection is more repeatable and at lower cost than ucts for vehicles and equipment, including coolants and other Benefits
to measure and record relevant information during tests. field tests. fluids/solvents. •  Independent government analysis, testing and interpre-
tation of results.
•  Tests can be completed quickly with fewer personnel Capabilities
than live bridge crossings. TARDEC Fuels and POL Labs comprise 7,075 square Timely testing supporting in-house TARDEC projects,
•  
feet with an additional 1,600 square feet of space for POL especially in conjunction with tests conducted in the
Fatigue-to-failure testing conducted without risking
•   storage. Products tested at the labs include engine oil, gear GSPEL.
injury to people or damage to equipment. oil, grease, coolants, hydraulic fluids, alternative and conven-
tional fuels, solid film lubricants, brake fluids, nano-lubricants, •  Historical background on products.
solvents and cleaners.
Qualification testing is conducted on vendor-supplied •  Development of custom products and associated speci-
products to military specifications. Once the vendor product fications and documentation necessary for procurement.

32 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 33

 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FRAMEWORK Knowledge and Data Management

Integrated Systems Engineering Framework (ISEF) Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE )
TM

The ISEF is an integrated SE framework built to create and Benefits point, and can determine lines of sight, evaluate general “fit-
capture knowledge using a decision-centric method, high-qual- •  Decision confidence form-function” studies and crew usability.
ity data visualizations, intuitive navigation and systems infor- Alternative designs, configurations or variants are com-
mation management. It provides a collaborative environment •  Accelerated delivery pared early in the design process and throughout life-cycle
for all stakeholders, practitioners and leaders to engage in and phases as necessary, which allows for “if-then” studies to be
facilitate decision making based on a mix of qualitative and •  Requirements compliance conducted at minimal cost. Videos can also be developed to
quantitative inputs. All facets of SE knowledge (requirements, present findings and scenarios to decision makers.
decisions, risks, opportunities and tests) are created, man- •  Reduced risk
aged and presented in context within a single framework to Benefits
support Model-Based Systems Engineering information. •  Ability to architect for adaptability, commonality and modularity •  The CAVE provides better communication of design
intent than alternative types of presentations.
Capabilities ISEF is an integrated SE knowledge creation and capture
•  Technical planning and management framework built on a decision-centric method, high-quality •  A better understanding of fit-form-function and crew
data visualizations, intuitive navigation that enables continu- usability early in the design process.
•  Decision breakdown structure ous data traceability, real-time collaboration and knowledge
pattern leverage supporting the entire system life cycle. TARDEC’s CAVE capability provides the ability to conduct •  Full-scale dynamic visual lines of sight identify crew
•  Trade studies full-scale interactive virtual CAD reviews. blind spots early, precluding future issues.
Project Recon Tool Benefits
•  Requirements to plan traceability •  Promotes collaboration and communication; links risks Capabilities •  Exploring alternatives early in design stage leads to
and issues. TARDEC’s CAVE helps users understand physical vehicle better decisions and reduced cost.
•  Requirements analysis and decomposition systems using CAD data and immersive 3-D technologies.
•  Captures data uniformly. Design reviews are performed for evaluating vehicle exte- •  Detailed videos can be viewed anywhere and used for
•  Operational and functional requirements decomposition riors and interior compartments from virtually any vantage presentations, or as an official record.
•  Provides traceability, historical record and a reference
•  Requirements validation/verification for lessons learned.

•  Portfolio management •  Leads to integrated and customizable workflows.

•  Roadmapping – capability, technology and platform •  Provides standard and customizable reporting options.
Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN)
•  Risk, opportunities and issues management •  Utilizes secure DoD database/access control — web
accessible. TARDEC’s DREN implementation is its official network Benefits
•  High-quality visualizations for S&T and test-and-evaluation mission-related programs. •  Use of software/services that might not be allowed
•  Offers risk, issue and opportunity management tools. It allows the group to apply commercial-off-the-shelf and on the Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network
•  Evaluation of performance against criteria in-house developed software for use on TARDEC, PEO and (NIPRNET).
Army ground vehicle programs and initiatives that could not
•  Embedded recursive methods for application operate on other networks. TARDEC’s DREN connects to •  More freedom to pursue state-of-the-art engineering
other DREN locations, allowing access to their resources and and scientific endeavors.
•  Collaboration Web space to connect all stakeholders providing S&T exchanges with our partners.
•  Connection to the DREN and other sites.
Capabilities
TARDEC’s DREN provides connectivity to the organiza- •  Centralized services that eliminate user-level
tion’s High Performance Computing (HPC) Center, enterprise redundancies.
license servers, SILs, software development environments,
Defense Supercomputing Resource Centers and other exter- •  Access to Defense Supercomputing Resource Centers
nal DREN sites. Centralized administration and services allow for large, resource-intensive HPC analyses.
the user to concentrate on performing the mission at hand
instead of executing system administration and other IA •  Allows for a development environment of applications
duties. to be hosted on the NIPRNET or DREN.

34 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 35

 Knowledge and Data Management Knowledge and Data Management

High Performance Computing (HPC) Windchill

TARDEC’s HPC Center enhances research, development, Benefits ProductLink is a product data and knowledge manage- Benefits
engineering, testing and evaluation capabilities through •  Solving analytical problems that cannot be done or ment tool maintained by TARDEC’s KDM group to manage •  Improved product quality through use of authoritative
state-of-the-art scientific and engineering computing. By completed on time via desktop resources. vehicle product data. Based on PTC Inc.’s Windchill, it allows source of data.
aggregating computing power, the system delivers higher users to maintain configuration management discipline, track
performance than a typical desktop computer or workstation •  Centralized support and management allows the HPC progress and automate business processes. ProductLink is •  Reduced process errors and engineering rework
could produce to solve large analytical problems. The HPC user to concentrate on the problem at hand and not on a data and knowledge management tool that allows users through comprehensive change management with
Center provides a full-spectrum, high-end computing envi- system operation. to create and maintain documents, view change history and automatic documentation revision and iteration history.
ronment for use on TARDEC, PEO and Army ground vehicle provides routing options.
programs and initiatives. •  Separate classified and unclassified assets are •  Web-based architecture to facilitate collaboration.
available. Capabilities
Capabilities •  Configuration management includes parts, product •  Configuration management — creates and manages
HPC assists in quickly providing decision makers •  Local administration allows for faster reprioritization of structure, documents, CAD bills of material (BOM) multiple product structure views.
required information within challenging timelines. The HPC resources when needed. with supporting documents, end item and multi-BOM
Center houses two systems to provide unclassified and management. •  Best practice change management process to create,
classified analysis capabilities. The systems allow for the manage, route and track problem reports, change
creation and analysis of high-end physics-based models to •  Detail design (heterogeneous CAD data management). requests and change notices.
provide a better (and sometimes the only) insight into com-
plex, real-world issues. •  Change management and process workflows — engi- •  Comprehensive product content management with
neering change proposals, engineering revision records securely vaulted product data, managed and associated
and requests for deviation. product content, and embedded search engine for prod-
uct-related queries.
•  Tech Loop — preparation of TDPs for secondary parts
procurement and communication among participants •  Business process automation and reporting using
through defined workflow. workflow-driven processes to automate and manage
SharePoint product development tasks.

SharePoint is a collaboration tool maintained by TARDEC’s •  Robust permission model; configure who can read, edit •  Pervasive visualization — easily identify parts by view-
Knowledge and Data Management (KDM) Group to facilitate and delete site content. ing thumbnail images.
knowledge sharing within the organization. SharePoint allows
each team or project to maintain and customize its own site. •  Versioning and publishing; use standard features to
track and control changes to a document.
Capabilities
•  P rovides the right people the right access to team, •  Integrate with other Microsoft products; including
project, and organizational documents and data. Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.

•  T hrough the TARDEC Portal, quickly search and •  Comprehensive search capabilities; including the ability
locate relevant information. to search within a document.

•  Use OOTB (Out-of-the-Box) functionality; or build •  Use workflows to collect feedback, approve documents
custom solutions. TARDEC-wide custom solutions or collect signatures.
include:
– Portal announcements •  Users maintain their sites, allowing them full control of
– S oftware request the content and the format that it is presented.
– C onference room scheduler
– EMS (Environmental Management System) ISO •  Easily create and manage a variety of lists and libraries
14001 including tasks, issues, surveys, calendars, announce-
– LQMS (Lab Quality Management System) ments, discussion boards, document libraries, picture
libraries and slide libraries.
Benefits
•  S hort lead time; new sites can be quickly setup and •  SharePoint training provided to allow users to get up to
utilized. speed quickly, with Continous Learning Points (CLPs)
earned for taking the course.

36 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 37

 Product Lifecycle Engineering Product Lifecycle Engineering

CAD Model-Based Engineering Corrosion Engineering

The CAD Model-Based Engineering Team is the lead 2-D CAD data to 3-D, convert legacy data and provide clean TARDEC’s Corrosion team provides expertise in vehicle anodizing, powder coating, electrocoating, electroplating,
TARDEC resource for 2-D and 3-D CAD and digital modeling. raster drawings. It also provides support for review and vali- design, manufacturing and sustainment for corrosion preven- CARC and pretreatments.
The team provides leadership in digitization technologies for dation of 3-D solid model submittals or geometric dimension- tion and control. The team analyzes vehicle geometry, joint
developing new digitization processes, establishing in-house ing and tolerancing (GD&T) analysis. design, substrate material selection, coating selection and Benefits
capabilities to produce digitized procurement technical data, surface preparation/finishing. In addition, it provides ground •  Reduces weapon system program life-cycle costs
and developing a repository of digitized drawings and models Benefits vehicle storage solutions and support equipment to reduce due to corrosion-related maintenance/component
for life-cycle management of systems under development •  GD&T analysis improves manufacturability and elimi- corrosion impacts. replacement.
and existing legacy weapon systems. nates potential interference conditions.
Capabilities •  Improves life-cycle performance.
Capabilities •  Model-based definition eliminates discrepancies The Corrosion team’s engineering support spans the total
The team establishes best practices and standards for between models and drawings. system life cycle to include development of requirements for •  Ensures compliance with DoD and Army corrosion
3-D modeling, converts technical data packages from devel- acquisition documents; upfront vehicle design evaluation to policies.
opmental-level to production-level, prepares 3-D solid mod- •  CAD data can be used for M&S studies. identify premature coating and corrosion failures; evaluation
els in multi-format CAD systems and supports engineering of full vehicle corrosion test data for defects; and guidance on •  Assists with Environmental Management System
in making drawing or model changes. Technical data require- •  Including CAD data in the procurement package various surface finishing technologies, such as phosphating, compliance.
ments can be written or reviewed for inclusion in statements supports advanced manufacturing and provides cost
of work and include contract data requirements lists, data savings.
item descriptions, standards, best practices and special data
requirements based on PM and engineering needs. The •  Design and engineering changes can be incorporated in
team can also convert data between CAD formats, convert a timely manner.

Engineering Cost Reduction Team (ECRT)

The ECRT provides a systematic approach to improving Benefits

value in products, facilities, systems and services through •  ECRT provides value to customers.
the Value Engineering (VE) Methodology. ECRT also estab-
Configuration Management (CM) lishes VE criteria and provides guidance to TACOM LCMC •  Improves organizational culture in relation to managing
organizations to meet annual VE goals. cost.
TARDEC’s CM team manages the configuration data Benefits
for DoD ground combat systems and combat support sys- •  Establishes a high level of confidence in product Capabilities •  Provides communication across organizations.
tems throughout their product life cycles. The team provides information. ECRT provides guidance to identify programs, projects,
expertise and follows best practices as it supports the six systems and processes that are most appropriate for VE •  Offers guidance to help organizations understand com-
CM principles: management, planning, configuration identifi- •  Provides system configuration control. studies. The purpose is to remove unnecessary costs while plicated systems.
cation, configuration control, configuration status accounting maintaining function and value in systems delivered to the
and data management. •  Establishes and maintains product baseline. warfighter. ECRT manages the TACOM LCMC VE Program •  Provides training in VE methodology.
and establishes VE goals for all TACOM LCMC organizations.
Capabilities •  Maintains data in appropriate product containers ECRT can perform functional analysis on programs, projects,
The CM team helps customers define and implement an with access control for users based on customer systems and processes, and is the VE point of contact for
overall CM strategy by preparing or providing input for state- requirements. the AMC.
ments of work, contract data requirements lists, CM plans,
systems engineering plans and data management strategies. •  Allows for competitive re-procurement of secondary
The team establishes and manages engineering change items.
proposal and deviation workflows, along with Configuration
Control Boards. It releases product data through an Engi- •  Supports downstream use of reliable data for product
neering Release Record, coordinates physical configuration improvements or engineering studies.
audits, and supports Integrated Product Teams and the Prod-
uct Data and Engineering Working Group for new or updated
Army and DoD standards and policies. CM engineers use
Windchill PDMLink as the product data management tool to
build accurate product structures, record approved changes,
manage user permissions and create reports for customers.

38 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 39

 Product Lifecycle Engineering Product Lifecycle Engineering

Environmental Engineering Ground Vehicle Power Laboratory (GVPL)

The Environmental Engineering team provides support The team also works with the Environmental Protection The GVPL, located within the GSPEL, can test vehicle Benefits
to the TACOM LCMC community to ensure environmental Agency to obtain National Security Exemptions for noncom- power generation systems up to 40kW, including multiple •  Integration, physical and electrical, of vehicle power
compliance and weapon system conformance to various pliant engines, performs Class I Ozone Depleting Substance alternator/generator systems. Lab modularity allows configu- generation systems is performed concurrently in a
federal, state and local environmental regulations, as well as reviews, reviews specifications and system technical doc- ration for up to three alternator/generator systems to run con- rapid-fielding program.
DoD policies. uments for environmental compliance, reviews upcoming currently with electrical buses either separate or together.
environmental policies and regulations to minimize weapon The lab can test a complete system installed in the vehicle, •  Field electrical issues are addressed quickly to reconfig-
Capabilities system impact, and works with TACOM LCMC HAZMAT or on a test bench, under controlled conditions from minus ure different tests.
The Environmental team ensures that weapon systems reduction depots. 80° F to 250° F.
meet DoD environmental requirements by participating in •  Vehicle electrical systems — including power genera-
integrated product teams (IPTs). Support includes: Benefits Capabilities tion — can be tested in relevant environmental condi-
•  Preparing programmatic environment, safety and health •  Reduces weapon system program life-cycle cost due to The lab provides complete life-cycle support for ground tions throughout the developmental cycle to ensure a
evaluations in support of milestone decisions. environmental compliance and conformance. vehicle onboard power generation and fielded electrical sys- system’s technology readiness level will meet program
tems. Support includes development, testing, integration requirements on schedule.
•  Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) management. Reduces weapon system program schedule impacts
•   and troubleshooting for vehicle power generation and fielded
due to participation in weapon system IPT. electrical systems. Environmental conditions for each portion •  The ability to run all portions of electrical systems
•  Developing National Environmental Policy Act compli- of an electrical system can be simulated simultaneously, up on the vehicle, or on a test bench in controlled envi-
ance documents. Reduces environmental contamination and disposal
•   to four at a time. Electrical integration of the power genera- ronmental conditions, provides a complete life-cycle
concerns due to HAZMAT management, reduction and tion system can be performed concurrently or prior to phys- support lab for vehicle power generation and electrical
•  Developing environmental contractual requirements and elimination. ical integration with the bench test area located adjacent to systems.
general guidance on compliance with environmental pol- vehicle bays.
icies and regulations.

Industrial Base and Sustainment Engineering Risk Management

Ground Vehicle Cabin Thermal Systems (GVCTS) Laboratory
TARDEC’s Industrial Base Engineering Team (IBET) pro- refurbish opportunities and component redesign/reengineer-
The GSPEL GVCTS Lab can test vehicle components, Benefits vides support and strategy in resolving TACOM LCMC obso- ing. IBET can also reverse-engineer complex components to
subsystems and systems in any natural environment and •  Simulated environments allow development, testing and lescence and sustainment issues. The IBET collaborates with produce TDPs for future procurements.
replicate induced conditions on vehicles. Seven environmen- troubleshooting throughout natural and induced environ- the PEOs and the Industrial Base Operations Directorate at
tal chambers in the lab, ranging from 30 cubic feet to 1,300 ments on ground vehicle platforms. the Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC). IBET inves- Benefits
cubic feet, allow environment control from minus 90° F to tigates and resolves ground vehicle and equipment issues, •  Accurately forecasts industrial base risks.
more than 1,000° F, humidity control from 5–100 percent and Field thermal issues can be addressed quickly with
•   works with the Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and
solar load up to 1120 W/m2. The lab’s layout allows multiple the ability to reconfigure different tests, given the lab’s Material Shortages (DMSMS) Team and interfaces with the •  Reduces sustainment cost through proactive mitigation
environment simulations simultaneously on any given system flexibility. commercial industrial base. IBET maintains the Visibility and risks.
with close proximity for thermal shock testing of small to large Communication (VisCom) software tool to collect information
components and systems. The lab contains air conditioning •  Reduce and eliminate counterfeit refrigerants to increase on the TACOM industrial base, including TACOM National •  Reduces downtime due to DMSMS issues.
tool sets and equipment used in the field for vehicle systems. ground vehicle safety, reduce required maintenance and Stock Number (NSN) vendors and potential industrial supply
mitigate potential environmental risks. base sources. •  Stabilizes supply sources throughout sustainment.
Capabilities
This lab provides complete life-cycle support for all •  The ability to run auxiliary thermal systems and vehicle Capabilities •  Reverse-engineered, government-owned, TDP reduces
ground vehicle climatic control, all auxiliary thermal systems components in controlled environmental conditions pro- Using VisCom and other data sources, IBET conducts future sustainment risks.
and thermal aspects of components, ensuring Soldiers and vides the Army complete life-cycle support for thermal Sustainment Engineering Risk Assessments on managed
equipment function safely in any region of the world. Envi- systems. systems. These assessments identify emerging equipment
ronmental chambers evaluate component and subsystem obsolescence and supportability issues affecting readiness
integration and perform validation. Component and subsys- and operating costs, while providing equipment managers
tem failures in the field are rapidly addressed by replicating fact-based data to forecast resource requirements. After
controlled field-condition environments. Engineers use tools identifying an issue, IBET convenes a Risk Mitigation Board
and equipment to evaluate counterfeit refrigerant, address to consider potential strategies, select the path forward and
issues and provide safe systems for Soldiers. engage TARDEC expertise. IBET strategically helps maintain
a stable supply by identifying alternate sources, reclaim and

40 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 41

 Product Lifecycle Engineering Product Lifecycle Engineering

Metallurgical Laboratory (MET-LAB) Standardization

The MET-LAB can perform materials characterization for Benefits The Standardization team is TARDEC’s proponent for Benefits
all types of metallic components and systems to any indus- •  Reduce production cost by evaluating material and pro- the Defense Standardization Program, ensuring that mate- •  Develops specifications and standards to provide war-
try-specific or military standard. cess quality, and offering recommendations for process rial requirements are effectively documented and communi- fighters with interoperable systems, subsystems and
improvement. cated to support system acquisition and sustainment. The components.
Capabilities team promotes policies and procedures to implement parts
The MET-LAB contains instrumentation used in the charac- •  Evaluate contractors’ manufacturing process changes management best practices, and helps qualify components •  Decreases logistics burden.
terization and analysis of materials at both the macro and micro to assure product quality. that require long or complex evaluations that couldn’t be
levels. MET-LAB has the capabilities to measure mechanical completed during first-article inspection. •  Reduces total ownership costs and acquisition cycle
properties, such as tensile strength and hardness, identify •  Conduct failure analysis on all types of metallic com- times.
metallic particulates, and conduct chemical analysis for metal- ponents and systems, and offer design change rec- Capabilities
lic materials at both the macro and micro levels. The MET-LAB ommendations; evaluate contractor design change The team specializes in helping to create product descrip- •  Improves operational effectiveness for Current and
can conduct both qualitative and quantitative micro-structural recommendations. tions that define requirements and verification procedures. Future Forces.
evaluation, such as microstructural phase analysis, grain size It can also facilitate and maintain other documents, such as
and grain texture. In addition, instrumentation can be used •  Support M&S efforts by determining material property defense standards. This team also conducts audits to verify •  Parts management programs improve interoperability,
for manufacturing process development, characterization and data. that manufacturers requesting a qualified product approval interchangeability, reliability, and availability of compo-
process quality evaluation. The materials engineering staff can have effective self-audit programs. Standardization associ- nents and systems.
conduct failure analysis of components and characterization of ates also monitor and evaluate tests to determine whether
welds to determine root cause of failures. a product or process meets qualification requirements. They
also assist in identifying and selecting candidate parts to
achieve parts commonality.

Secondary Item Data Management

The Secondary Item Data Management Team provides Benefits Tire Engineering Group
technical procurement data support to the TACOM LCMC and •  Ensures latest product data configuration is used to
the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and acts as engineer- support spare parts procurement. The Tire Engineering Group is DoD’s center of expertise Benefits
ing support liaison between TARDEC and the ILSC and DLA. for ground vehicle tires. Tire Engineering provides technical •  Provides engineering support for tires, wheels, runflats,
The team also serves as the primary manager and coordina- •  Manages and controls workflow to ensure all functional support to various DoD customers regarding tires, wheels, tire tubes and flaps.
tor for all technical procurement packages within TARDEC’s areas provide input to procurement package. run-flats, tire valves, tire tubes and flaps. The group also
functional areas. It develops and manages systems capabili- resolves field and obsolescence issues for a variety of •  Provides tire source qualification testing management
ties in the Tech Loop product data management process for components. and execution.
TARDEC, Rock Island Arsenal, Edgewood Chemical Biologi- •  Provides a single focal point for engineering support.
cal Center and Natick Soldier Systems Center. Capabilities •  Manages tire lists of approved commercial tires for
The Tire Engineering Group investigates new technolo- military applications and support qualifications for more
Capabilities gies related to tires, wheels, run-flats and associated com- than 160 NSNs.
The Secondary Item Data Management Team uses the ponents. It manages and executes tire source approval and
Tech Loop process workflow to develop and validate techni- qualification process support for military and commercial •  Manages lists of off-road tires for construction, material
cal procurement packages and coordinate the package with tires, including test development and engineering support. handling and earthmover applications.
other functional areas, such as packaging, quality, engineer- The group worked with the tire and wheel industry to update
ing, transportation and materials. As part of the Tech Loop the Military Tire Test Standard for qualification of additional •  Resolves field and obsolescence issues for tires,
process, engineering change proposals and other changes tire sources for military vehicles. wheels and associated components.
can be processed and implemented into the technical pro-
curement package.

42 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 43

 Physical Simulation & Test Physical Simulation & Test

Crew Station/Turret Motion Based Simulator (CS/TMBS) Mission Equipment Vibration Table (MEVT)

Capabilities The MEVT is a powerful test rig capable of reproducing

This simulator is capable of reproducing dynamic condi- the most challenging terrains military vehicles would encoun-
tions encountered by combat vehicle crew stations and tur- ter in the field. The MEVT is designed to test components
ret systems traveling on secondary roads and cross-country and subassemblies weighing up to 27,000 lbs. The MEVT
terrain. Battlefield environments are reproduced to study Sol- helps reduce development costs, increase system reliability
dier and vehicle-in-the-loop issues in an operational setting and durability and perform accelerated life-cycle tests.
well before developmental testing.
Capabilities
Benefits The MEVT features an advanced design capable of
•  Offers repeatability and control over variables difficult simultaneously applying force and motion in three degrees
to manage at test centers and proving grounds. of freedom. The system is driven by voice coil servos that
model correlations of frequencies up to 200 Hertz (Hz) with
•  Provides gun turret drive characterization and control a maximum payload of 27,000 lbs. MEVT testing focuses
The CS/TMBS is a high-capacity six-degrees-of-freedom system algorithm development in a laboratory setting. on identifying failure modes early in the design process and
test device. The simulation framework enables engineers to applying design changes to prototypes prior to field testing. •  Extensive range of application design to integrate early
quickly obtain key data and information on vehicle/Soldier •  Provides Soldier- and hardware-in-the-loop experimen- In the end, the field testing events serve as verification of the stage development with flexibility to provide meaningful
performance with high quality. The simulator employs a vir- tation, plus power and energy management work for final design rather than failure mode discovery. information that will minimize cost, accelerate subsys-
tual environment with computer-generated imagery and dis- risk reduction. tem development and compress test schedules.
plays, a digital audio system, crew station controls, real-time Benefits
computational dynamics and a network for synthetic battle- •  Provides studies of baseline versus modified in a quan- •  Dynamic qualifications of vehicle subsystems by apply- •  A bility to induce high-frequency content for heavy
field operations. titative fashion. ing single or multiaxial base excitation and identifying subassemblies.
modal properties.

Ground Vehicle Tire Lab (GVTL)

Multi-Axial Simulation Table (MAST)
The GVTL consists of two tire test machines and soft- Capabilities
ware necessary to process experimental results. The lab fea- GVTL performs tire durability, run-flat device and road The MAST delivers an extensive array of testing appli- Capabilities
tures a walk-in environmental chamber capable of controlling wheel experiments and determines physical characteristics cations providing rapid, flexible and reliable analysis for MAST is an advanced hexapod design capable of provid-
temperatures of minus 60° F to 185° F and humidity of 20 to without modification or disassembly to a degree of unpar- ground vehicle components and subassemblies. Using cut- ing simultaneous application of force and motion in all six
95 percent. alleled accuracy. The GVTL can accommodate tires from ting-edge software, engineers work to reduce development degrees of freedom. MAST allows subsystem modal eval-
trucks, trailers and road wheels to support M&S efforts for costs, compress test schedules and perform accelerated uations, design validation and optimization. The test stand
both military and industrial applications. life-cycle tests. can combine vibration testing with environmental effects by
applying extreme temperatures of minus 70° F to 185° F and
Benefits frequencies up to 500 Hz with a maximum payload of up to
•  Conducts comprehensive tests of tire characteristics 500 kg.
under a wide range of duty-cycle and environmental
conditions, providing the most accurate simulation of Benefits
real-world usage available in North America. •  Dynamic qualifications of vehicle subsystems by apply-
ing single or multi-axial base excitation to identify modal
•  Captures the resulting data for later use in computer properties.
M&S studies.
•  Extensive range of applications designed to integrate
•  To match GVTL’s testing capabilities, a manufacturer early stage development with flexibility to provide
would need to drive from Texas in August to Alaska in meaningful information that will minimize cost and
January, and back. Even then, the data captured would accelerate subsystem development.
not be as comprehensive.
•  MIL-STD-810G Vibration Testing.

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 Physical Simulation & Test Physical Simulation & Test

Pintle Motion Base Simulator (PMBS) Reconfigurable N-Post Motion Based Simulator (RNPS)

Capabilities The RNPS conducts durability and performance tests

The PMBS is designed to impart motion to an attached on whole vehicle systems and fifth-wheel trailers. Vertical
lunette trailer with the ability to conduct durability and per- motion and force inputs are provided to reproduce dynamic
formance tests on whole trailer systems. It moves the trailer conditions experienced at proving grounds. This allows for
lunette in three independent directions (vertical, longitudinal fatigue testing equivalent to a field test, but under controlled
and lateral) while simultaneously providing vertical input to laboratory conditions.
the trailer tires. The PMBS can accommodate trailers up to a
gross vehicle weight of 20,000 lbs. and impart forces to the Capabilities
testing specimen via a bellcrank and strut arrangement. The simulator’s analytical capabilities include fatigue
damage estimation, statistical time history editing and cycle
Benefits counting analysis. It can also subject full vehicle systems to
•  L aboratory trailer testing offers the repeatability of temperature ranges of minus 60° F to 185° F, with humid-
dynamic events, and can eliminate performance vari- ity levels up to 95 percent. The control methods allow the
ables such as weather conditions, driver variability and matching of simulator output to displacements and accelera-
course maintenance. tions measured from the field.

The PMBS is used to conduct durability and performance •  Extensive range of application design to integrate early Benefits •  Controlled environment for repeatability of previous test
tests on lunette trailers. It provides motion and force inputs to stage development with flexibility to provide mean- •  Observation of test specimens in motion allows the test conditions, eliminating changes in motion due to time,
the test trailer’s tires and lunette to reproduce dynamic con- ingful information that will minimize costs, accelerate engineer to evaluate the vehicle negotiating difficult or the driver and weather or other test parameters.
ditions experienced at proving grounds. The PMBS fatigues development and compress test schedules. problem-causing terrain.
the trailer the way a field test would, but under controlled •  Reduces duration by removing non-damaging portions
laboratory conditions. •  Provides a high-fidelity, multiaxial simulator that pro- of a test schedule. Time and cost can be minimized
vides experimental test conditions for finite element while maintaining the severity of the test.
analysis.

Ride Motion Simulator (RMS)

Profilometer
The RMS is a simulator designed for crew station and •  Defines Soldier/vehicle use history during operations
TARDEC’s profilometer is a laser scanning system Capabilities man-in-the-loop experimentation. The simulator immerses for power and energy trade studies.
mounted on an M1097A2 HMMWV to measure terrain height, The profilometer is capable of a 4.4 m-wide scan with users in a synthetic battlefield to experience realistic ground
versus distance. Measurement is made using a scanning laser, accuracies at 10 mm global and 1 mm local resolution. It can vehicle dynamics. It has integrated motion, audio and visual •  Conducts Soldier bio-dynamic response, plus seat and
sampling a 4.4 m-wide swath in front of the HMMWV with a measure baseline test courses and off-road terrain, and enable systems for high-fidelity real-time simulation. Simulation posture research.
resolution of 940 data points at 1,000 Hz. By driving the profi- course maintenance. It can produce output in root-mean- framework enables the Ground Vehicle Simulation Labora-
lometer at 10 mph, a forward sampling rate of 1 scan line (940 square, wave number spectra and graphical plot fashion. tory to obtain key data and high-quality information on Sol-
points comprising 4.4 m) per 5 mm is obtained. dier/vehicle performance.
Benefits
•  Use of test course fidelity in laboratory tests. Capabilities
The RMS is capable of reproducing combat, tactical and
•  Categorization of test courses to meet program man- commercial automotive vehicle motion with high precision
ager testing needs (primary and secondary roads, trails, using one of two reconfigurable crew station cabs. This envi-
cross-country). ronment allows researchers to customize the cab driver or
gunner controls, rugged display monitors or vision blocks,
•  Allows standardization between various test centers in seats, sighting devices and other cab scenario components.
course characterization.
Benefits
•  Verification, validation and accreditation of software •  Provides Soldier performance investigations of driver,
models, leading to improved accuracy. commander and troop transport to improve their
performance.

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 Physical Simulation & Test Physical Simulation & Test

Robotic Intelligence Development Environment Capabilities •  Specifications include: CAD Pro E, Open Flight and
•  Analysis. Open Scene Graph and others via conversion and desk-
Robotic Intelligence Development Environment provides top simulation.
government and contract engineers a virtual environment to •  Determine occlusions.
test algorithms for human detection, avoidance and autono-
mous behaviors. The tool began as a transition from the Future •  Optimal placement. Benefits
Combat Systems robotics program’s M&S tool – MODSIM – •  Quickly determine situational awareness footprint.
developed to simulate the Autonomous Navigation System. •  Ground intercept.
The MODSIM tool was modified to allow for different auton- •  At run-time, reposition cameras to determine improved
omy systems to be integrated into the virtual environment. •  Vertical intercept. coverage and mounting locations.
The virtual environment provides ground terrain, vegetation
models, lifeform models, vehicle dynamics and various sensor •  Coverage gaps. •  Calculate total viewable ground intercept area for a
simulations to stimulate the algorithms that determine robotic band “X” meters from the vehicle.
vehicle control and behaviors. •  Coverage overlaps.
•  Low cost, rapid turn-around capability.
Capabilities •  Dynamic viewing station for simulation experiments.
•  Real-time vehicle dynamics, capable of modeling both Benefits
tracked and wheeled configurations. •  Support early testing of autonomous algorithms before •  Dynamic capabilities include: drive via waypoint,Distrib-
target hardware is available. uted Interactive Simulation (DIS) interface and urban
•  Configurable laser radar (LADAR) model. terrain.
•  Eliminate testing variability with repeatable scenarios.
•  Stereo disparity sensor model.
•  Hundreds of virtual test runs help perfect autonomous
•  Global positioning satellite/inertial navigation system model. system performance prior to field testing, allowing physical
testing to focus on particularly problematic scenarios.
•  Millimeter wave radar sensor model.
•  Virtual tests decrease the need for extensive (and expen-
•  Scenario editor for configuring and starting simulations.
sive) field testing, reducing overall program cost.
Shock Test Evaluation Machine (STEM)
•  Scripted entities, humans and traffic vehicles.
•  Enable trade studies by varying sensor models and Capabilities
•  High-level architecture interface available. characteristics. The STEM was engineered to provide ultra-high force
performance with accuracy and repeatability. It integrates
the ability to provide damping characteristics or perform
million-cycle durability tests on current heavy-duty vehicle
shock absorbers and struts. STEM uses a sophisticated test-
ing software suite to accommodate static or dynamic spec-
imen side-loading, conduct friction force testing and mea-
Sensor Visualization Tool (SVT) sure seal friction and gas charge. It can also measure energy
absorption mechanism properties for blast seats.
The SVT is a camera vision coverage simulator used to
determine the optimal placement of cameras to improve Benefits
ground intercept, reduce overlap and increase local situa- •  Accepts all forms of dampener systems used in the
tional awareness. It has the capability to model video cam- Army’s ground vehicle fleet today.
eras, thermal imagers, infrared cameras and 360-degree
cameras. As part of the vision coverage, the SVT identi- •  Conducts extreme velocity and force tests and evalu-
fies occluding objects such as antennas, armor panels and The STEM uses both durability and performance modes ations on a fully integrated vehicle corner suspension
cargo. to determine the ability of shock absorbers or struts to with- system.
Working in real-time, a designer can reposition and stand dynamic stress produced by transient waveforms. A
reorient cameras to find the optimal coverage as well as key STEM characteristic, which exemplifies its one-of-a-kind •  Provides a flexible platform designed to accept special
exchange cameras with different models for an A-B com- nature, is its ability to achieve a minimum velocity of 5 meters testing applications.
parison. Instead of being manually controlled, the SVT links per second at 20,000 lbs.
to simulations showing an external view of what the cam-
eras see. It also has a demo mode to show a vehicle driving
through a city.

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 Physical Simulation & Test Physical Simulation & Test

Suspension Parameter Identification Evaluation Rig (SPIdER) Vehicle Inertial Properties Evaluation Rig (VIPER)

Capabilities The VIPER accurately measures system and subsystem Benefits

The SPIdER, which can accommodate military vehicles inertial characteristics and center of gravity (COG) for trucks, Mass property measurements are an essential com-
•  
with track widths up to 110 inches and weights of 100,000 trailers and turrets, generally without modification or dis- ponent for developing realistic dynamics models when
pounds per axle, is capable of performing three types of assembly. It consists of a configurable platform capable of solid modeling is not an option due to cost or availability.
tests including bounce, roll and steering ratio. During each rotating in roll, pitch and yaw, as well as the software neces-
test, more than 70 transducers are used to monitor displace- sary to post-process the results. •  The VIPER directly impacts vehicle rollover analysis/pre-
ment, angles, forces and pressures. diction, vehicle stability/handling/ride, turret drive/con-
Capabilities trol, transportability assessments, suspension tuning/
Benefits The VIPER is capable of determining various parameters design, vehicle data plate information, design trade-off
•  Measures key vehicle suspension parameters to assist including vehicle COG, mass moments of inertia, total vehi- analysis, durability and failure analysis, accident recon-
in predicting vehicle dynamic behavior so systems are cle weight and roll/yaw mass product of inertia. The COG struction and vehicle configuration change management.
less prone to rollover and offer better handling stability measurements are accurate to ±1 percent, the moment of
and performance on rough terrain. inertia measurements to ±3 percent, and the weight and axle
loads to ±0.5 percent. The VIPER is capable of measuring
•  Provides necessary look-up tables and suspension char- vehicles weighing between 1,500 and 100,000 lbs, and can
The SPIdER accurately characterizes vehicle suspension acteristics curves for vehicle dynamic modelers. accommodate vehicles up to 155 inches wide and 430 inches
systems without modifying or disassembling most vehicles, in length. Setup and test execution takes approximately three
and can apply both static and dynamic inputs to accurately •  Performs trade-off studies that lead to better under- to five days.
measure multiaxle vehicle systems. standing of suspension performance.

Test & Evaluation (T&E) Engineering Support

The T&E Engineering Support team provides engineer- Benefits

ing assistance to manage, develop and support integrated •  Efficient and effective test programs (schedule and
life-cycle T&E services at all stages of development, acquisi- budget).
tion and deployment of assigned DoD ground systems.
•  Oversight approval of the T&E Master Plan.
Capabilities
T&E engineers provide critical strategy to manage ground •  Testable and achievable requirements.
system test programs, including live fire, performance and
reliability. The team mitigates risks associated with suc- •  Mature and interoperable systems and components.
cessful deployment of vehicles and weapon systems, while
ensuring timely focus on user requirements. •  Operationally tested and approved systems.

•  Coordination of the user, evaluator and contractor.

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 Physical Simulation & Test TECHNICAL PLANNING

Virtual Systems Integration Laboratory (VSIL) Manufacturing Engineering

The VSIL is designed as an environment that ensures the •  DIS/HLA compatible. The Manufacturing Engineering Team (MET) works to •  Providing manufacturing support to the arsenals and
correct integration and intended functionality of vehicle elec- reduce program risk by providing expert guidance and man- depots.
tronics. It provides for complete system verification and vali- •  Vehicular Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VIC- ufacturing technical support for TARDEC and TACOM LCMC
dation of multiple vehicle configurations. The lab also serves TORY) architecture compliant. programs. MET enables the development of novel manufac- •  Additive manufacturing research and engineering
as an avenue for post-production support, regression testing, turing research technologies (MRL-2 to MRL-7) to facilitate subject matter expert, including a powder/laser additive
man-machine interface/human factors development, train- •  MRAP visual and SAF. the transition of the technologies to the PM or OEM. MET manufacturing cell.
ing, future technology demonstration and rapid prototyping has strategic partnerships with industry, academia, OEMs
of proposed subsystems. •  Populate SAF (red and blue) on Force XXI Battle Com- and the organic government manufacturing base to define •  Contracting and project management expertise.
Currently, the SIL’s M&S environment consists of a mand Brigade and Below map. and develop manufacturing technologies that help the ground
Semi-Automated Force (SAF) capability that allows for sce- vehicle community support the warfighter.
nario generation as well as the population of simulated enti- •  Controller area network data simulation. Benefits
ties on a virtual battlefield. The environment also provides Capabilities •  Reduces project manufacturing risk.
real-time vehicle dynamics for both the Mine-Resistant Sensor simulation including Remote Weapon Station
•   MET engages industry, academia and scans DoD to iden-
Ambush-Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and Caiman Video Simulation and Sensor Control; Long-Range tify novel, best practice manufacturing processes and tech- •  Improves performance over the vehicle life cycle.
virtual vehicles. The simulation protocols currently used in Advance Scout Surveillance System Video Simulation nologies. This knowledge is then disseminated by:
the SIL M&S environment are High Level Architecture (HLA) and Sensor Control; Driver’s Video Enhancer Video Sim- •  Providing manufacturing support including design analy- •  Reduces cost through innovative technologies.
using the MATREX Federation Object Model and Distributed ulation; Check6 Video Simulation; and driver’s out-the- sis review to PMs and for internal TARDEC programs.
Interactive Simulation (DIS). window video simulation.

Capabilities
•  Real-time vehicle dynamics. Benefits
•  Test hardware/software interfaces in a repeatable labo-
•  Force feedback steering. ratory environment.
Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program Lead
•  Reconfigurable instrument panels. •  Work new technology integration issues and feasibility.
The MET is the U.S. Army ManTech Program lead for Benefits
TARDEC. The ManTech Program provides affordable and •  Reduces manufacturing and project risk.
timely solutions by identifying and mitigating manufacturing
risks within current and future technologies, systems and •  Improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces
processes for the Army’s ground vehicle domain. life-cycle costs.

Capabilities •  Value Engineering (VE) support includes reverse engi-

The ManTech Program develops technologies and pro- neering and manufacturing cost reductions.
cesses for affordable production and sustainment of defense
systems. Specific focus areas include: •  Enables TARDEC technology transitions through afford-
•  Reducing total ownership costs. ability improvements for targeted product builds.

•  Developing, maturing and transitioning key manufactur-

ing technologies.

•  Performing Manufacturing Risk Assessments (MRAs).

•  Establishing existing MRLs.

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 TECHNICAL PLANNING TECHNICAL PLANNING

Program Support and Architecture Team Benefits •  Foster incorporation of SE competencies into the program.
•  Stay connected with technical planning for use of SE
The mission of the Program Support and Architecture team •  Milestone documentation preparation and coordination lessons learned, best practices, consistency initiatives, •  Foster communication among PM engineering offices
is to provide life-cycle SE support and guidance for DoD Ground activities. new processes and tools, and overall collaboration. or S&T project partners on matters pertaining to archi-
Domain programs and architecture support to DoD programs tecture and interfaces.
as well as S&T projects. The team leads the planning, devel- •  Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) requirements •  Foster communication among and between PM or Joint
opment, execution, and commonality of SE activities and prod- definition and reviews. Program offices and departments, such as engineering, •  Help establish interfaces among and between large
ucts by leveraging SE expertise and best practices. This team test & evaluation, logistics, quality, etc., to ensure SE S&T projects or demonstrators and smaller supporting
supports numerous PEOs and PMs in the Army with matrix •  Source Selection Evaluation Board activities. processes are implemented consistently. S&T technical project capabilities.
SE support personnel and the PMs, as well as TARDEC S&T
projects, with architecture and modeling support. •  Requirements, risk, configuration, data and decision •  Collaborate and coordinate SE activities with outside •  Provide a bridge between project requirements trace-
management. program offices and DoD agencies. ability and physical design.
Capabilities/Specifications
The range of services and capabilities provided by the •  Serve as IPT leads. •  Stay up to date with new or changing DoD, DAG, •  Provide high-level and lower-level analysis of derived
TARDEC Program Support team include knowledge and ASA(ALT), Office of Secretary of Defense and Research and allocated requirements through use-cases and
oversight of SE competencies involved with the PM, such as: The range of architecture services, capabilities and support Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) behavior modeling.
•  Lead development, implementation and training of SE to PM programs and S&T projects include: SE-related policy and guidance. Consult with the PM on
processes, such as: requirements, risk, configuration, •  Guide, facilitate and execute architecture development potential implications to the program. •  Provide parametric analysis capabilities to inform AoA
data and decision management activities, including the principles for PM programs and S&T projects, including or trade space analysis.
implementation and use of applicable SE tools, such as: the development of viewpoints and views that frame •  Help the PM office in day-to-day technical and opera-
– Dynamic Object Oriented Requirements System stakeholder concerns and commonality principles asso- tional activities as requested, keeping mindful of SE as •  Facilitate PEO portfolio commonality analysis among
– Project Recon ciated with the Ground System Architecture Frame- these tasks are executed. PM platforms.
– Integrated Systems Engineering Framework work (GSAF) Standard Product Classification Hierarchy
(SPCH).
•  Lead Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs) documentation
development activities between and during milestone •  Develop architecture models and abstractions in the
gate decision points. Coordinate and align the SEP with systems modeling language environment that support
other milestone documents and PM processes. S&T and PM program needs.
Project Management
•  Lead or assist with technical review event planning and •  Model and generate interface views and Interface
execution. Ensure conformance to the SEP and Defense description documents pertaining to key elements Capabilities
Acquisition Guide (DAG) guidelines. Coordinate assess- depicted in project and program system architecture The team provides qualified project management practi-
ments of these reviews with outside DoD agencies. models. tioners and SMEs for short- and long-term matrix support
roles. Engineers conduct Kaizen and other types of prob-
•  Assist the PM with risk management processes by •  Develop, model and/or check consistency of enterprise lem-solving workshops to help customers solve specific
submitting technical risks as observed along with architecture and integration (including DoD Architectural team effectiveness-related problems and process issues.
mitigations. Framework (DoDAF), Ministry of Defence Architectural Team members serve in advisory roles to individuals or
Framework (MODAF) (Unitied Kingdom), and Unified teams looking to gain or improve project management skills.
•  Assist the PM’s requirements development process as Profile for DoDAF/MODAF (UPDM)) architecture
an active member of the Requirements IPT (or similar). descriptions and viewpoints for projects and programs. Benefits
Coordinate and assist with early TRADOC and Joint •  Efficient and effective project management.
Capability Integrated Development process activities, •  Provide consistent statement of work and CDRL
support trade studies and add-on-armor (AoA) analysis, contracting language relative to architecture contract •  Customer workforce trained and skilled in project
and assist in development of performance requirements requirements and deliverables. Interact with OEMs management.
refinement and output document development. that are providing GSAF/SPCH deliverables to PM
programs. •  Successful project execution through appropriate man-
•  Assist in defining program Critical Technology Elements agement tools and processes.
and analysis of appropriate TRLs for the applicable •  Proliferate methods, tools and guidance among and The Project Management team provides engineering
stages of the program. between projects and PM programs so that architecture support to TARDEC and matrixed support to multiple exter-
consistency is achieved. nal customers. The team significantly advances the level of
•  Brief TRL achievement to Independent Review Teams project management and team effectiveness within TARDEC
involved in Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army and with customers through coaching, mentoring, skills train-
for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) ing and demonstrated practices.
assessments of TRL levels.

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 TECHNICAL PLANNING TECHNICAL PLANNING

Reliability Engineering Services Risk Management Team (RMT)

The Reliability Engineering Services group provides •  Contract Management of RAM design analysis activities. The RMT provides and continuously improves life-cycle Benefits
expert guidance and technical support in Reliability, Avail- risk management capabilities, support, guidance and exper- •  Help stakeholders understand risks and implement
ability and Maintainability (RAM) program implementation •  Design for reliability activities, including RAM alloca- tise for the DoD Ground Domain. preventive measures.
throughout the acquisition life cycle for all ground systems tion/predictions; reliability block diagram; failure mode
and TARDEC S&T projects. The group serves as the TACOM and effects analysis (FMEA); failure mode, effects and Capabilities •  Maximize resource use.
LCMC focal point for RAM policy, guidance and methodology criticality analysis; and fault tree. Services include S&T programs and program of record
implementation. support for risk identification, assessment, mitigation and •  Minimize or prevent cost overruns, schedule delays and
•  R AM testing, evaluation and assessment. monitoring, with the focus on implementing plans for priori- performance problems.
Capabilities tized program risks.
•  Technical feasibility and affordability study of RAM •  R AM data mining and analytics. Risk managers advise and mentor program staff in policies, •  Improve product and design quality.
requirements. processes and best practices. They also lead the development
of risk management plans, chair risk working groups, as well •  Promote teamwork and SE.
•  Development of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability Benefits as facilitate risk review board meetings and support reporting.
and Cost Rationale Report. •  R AM technical services support acquisition PMs in Risk managers support the management of issues and •  Implement mitigation plans for risks and corrective
delivering an operationally effective and suitable system work with program team members developing action plans. action plans for issues.
•  R AM input to milestone documentations, includes to warfighters. RAM engineering is an essential ele- They also support the management of positive risks (oppor-
TEMP, SEP and Acquisition Strategy. ment to the overall systems engineering approach. tunities) to improve programs.
Tools, process guidance and training provided by the
•  R AM input to scope of work, specifications and contract •  R AM data mining and analytic capabilities inform Oper- RMT include: How to execute risk management; Project
evaluations. ations and Support cost reduction efforts for fielded Recon; FMEA; and Technology Readiness and Technical
systems through RAM improvement program. Risk Assessment.
•  Development and implementation of Reliability Growth
Program.

S&T Project Support Team (PST)

Requirements Engineering and ORSA The S&T PST provides life-cycle SE support and guid- Benefits
ance for DoD Ground Domain S&T projects. By leveraging •  Knowledgeable of best practices, consistency initia-
The Requirements Engineering and Operations Research/ •  Verifies/validates requirements compliance used to per- SE expertise and best practices, the team conducts the tives, new processes and overall collaboration.
Systems Analysis (ORSA) Team enables better decision mak- form program gap analysis. planning, development, execution and commonality of SE
ing through requirements analysis, traceability and verification. activities. •  Fosters communication between departments for S&T
By building robust, scalable and adaptable solutions, the team •  Captures requirements baseline to trace program history. projects.
responds to evolving needs and technologies. Capabilities
•  Provides concise requirements specifications delivered Knowledge and oversight of SE competencies involved •  Remains up-to-date with new or changing policies and
Capabilities to system suppliers for successful acquisition. within S&T projects include: guidance.
The Requirements Engineering and ORSA team assists •  SE processes development, implementation and
with requirements development, management, analysis and •  Shows compliance of acquired system-to-system needs training. •  Assists with S&T projects in technical and operational
decomposition, management tool infrastructure and training, traced to test results. activities.
and traceability and compliance reporting. The team excels in •  Overarching requirements, risk, configuration, data and
transforming requirements data into contracting required Per- •  Achieves commonality analysis by comparing require- decision management guidance. •  Fosters the incorporation of SE competencies into S&T
formance Specification (P-Spec) documents, and is also avail- ments across multiple vehicle platforms within require- projects.
able to provide co-located, full-time requirements managers or ments management infrastructure. •  Expertise in early needs analysis process activities.
task-based services/support for the execution life cycle.
•  Reuses vehicle capability and requirements models and •  Technical review planning and execution.
Benefits patterns for faster system acquisition specifications for
•  Elicits program/project requirements to clearly specify future programs. •  Project plan documentation development.
system needs.
•  TARDEC Gated Evaluation Track (TARGET) guidance
•  Provides requirements change impact analysis to trade and coordination on SE activities.
assessments.

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 Quality Assurance Services ENGAGE WITH TARDEC

Quality Assurance (QA) Services Engage with TARDEC

QA provides expert guidance and technical support in pro- Benefits The U.S. Army Tank and procurement staff. The Military Truck Action Group
gram implementation for all ground systems throughout the •  Q A technical services support the Acquisition PMs Automotive Research, (MTAG) and Commercial Truck Action Group (CTAG)
acquisition life cycle, and for S&T projects. This area serves and ILSC Item Managers procuring spares. The group Development and Engi- allow maximum industry engagement by keeping members
as the Detroit Arsenal’s focal point for QA policy, guidance ensures products and services conform to perfor- neering Center (TARDEC) informed and updated on key industry issues and providing
and methodology implementation. mance and technical requirements, and satisfy the develops and integrates the opportunities to weigh in on direction and priority.
customer’s life-cycle needs. right technology solutions Automotive Research Center (ARC) is a universi-
Capabilities to improve Current Force ty-based, U.S. Army Center of Excellence in Modeling and
•  Facilitates corrective action for quality deficiencies •  T he PQDR system is the Army’s recognized feed- effectiveness and provide superior capabilities for the Future Simulation. TARDEC manages the center in partnership with
in the field via the Product Quality Deficiency Report back loop for products in the operations and support Force. Our technical staff leads research in ground systems the University of Michigan, Clemson University, Oakland
(PQDR) process. life-cycle phase. survivability, power and mobility, intelligent ground systems, University, University of Iowa, Virginia Tech University and
force projection and vehicle electronics architecture. Wayne State University. The ARC Executive Committee,
•  Provides quality management support to PMs. •  The system requires deficiency reports on new or TARDEC employs several key mechanisms to leverage composed of government and university principals, selects
newly reworked government-owned products that do investments in technology research and development (R&D) basic and applied research projects each academic year based
•  Provides QA support to the spare parts acquisition not fulfill their expected purpose, operation or service. and initiate shared technology programs. The organization is on current Army and TARDEC needs. Bi-monthly research
process. keen to partner with industry, academia and other govern- seminars and an annual program review are conducted to
•  PQDRs can be submitted by depots, contractors (gov- ment agencies to harness new technologies for emerging peer-review projects, provide feedback to researchers, and
•  Works with the National Maintenance Program to moni- ernment-furnished equipment), field units and other systems, integrate new energy and propulsion alternatives, ensure research projects meet cost and performance objects
tor Source of Repair sites. services, and lead to corrective action. reduce operating and maintenance costs of fielded systems and align with TARDEC’s 30-Year Strategy.
and ensure that our Soldiers have the best performing, most Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a com-
•  Provides QA support to depot recap/reset programs. •  Q A review of Procurement Work Directives for spares reliable and easiest to maintain ground vehicles in the world. petitive awards-based program that taps small business inno-
provides critical warfighter support, ensuring system In order to solve TARDEC design, development, manu- vation and creativity to help meet TARDEC’s R&D objectives
readiness and operational effectiveness. facturing and product technology gaps, as identified in our and develop technologies, products and software that can be
30-Year Strategy, TARDEC offers a variety of opportunities commercialized.
•  Policy and methodology implementation leads to to create partnerships to accelerate the delivery of new capa- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements
consistent practices across the TACOM LCMC and bilities and avoid unnecessary capability development costs. (CRADAs) are established between federal laboratories and
leverages lessons learned in training. commercial, academic or nonprofit partners to facilitate tech-
Collaborate with TARDEC nology transfers between the parties for mutual benefit.
Advanced Vehicle Power Technology Alliance Education Partnership Agreements (EPAs) encourage
(AVPTA) is a joint technology R&D partnership between institutions to enhance study in scientific disciplines at all lev-
the Department of the Army and the Department of Energy els of education.
(DoE). The AVPTA welcomes concept papers and proposals Patent License Agreements (PLAs) between federal
in energy efficient vehicle technology. Submit your concept labs and non-federal organizations allow for the use of gov-
papers and proposals through the DoE Vehicle Technologies ernment-owned or assigned patent applications, patents or
Office or Incubator Funding Opportunities Announcements other intellectual property.
online at the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) Test Service Agreements (TSAs) allow federal laborato-
website. ries to perform work for hire.
Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) and
TARDEC have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Communicate with TARDEC for Purposeful
that provides a forum where issues related to the devel- Engagements
opment and improvement of military and commercial Ground Vehicle Gateway (GVG) invites industry, aca-
equipment are discussed and acted upon. Additionally, demia and other government agencies to share ideas that
this forum was created to support the coordinated and can help TARDEC to develop, integrate and sustain advanced
collaborative development and improvement of U.S. Army manned and autonomy-enabled ground system capabilities for
military and commercial equipment for potential use by all the Current and Future Force in accordance with TARDEC’s
military services. 30-Year Strategy. Full details about the 30-Year Strategy,
High-Efficiency Truck Users Forum (HTUF) is a TARDEC along with a link to GVG submission forms, can be found on
National Automotive Center funded program that brings truck the TARDEC homepage at: http://www.army.mil/tardec
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, fleets
and other industry stakeholders together to ensure commer-
cial product offerings are capable of meeting high-efficiency
military requirements. Two working groups within HTUF
are focused on military OEMs and suppliers interested in
working more effectively with Army technology planning

58 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES 59

 Follow Us:
TARDEC Website: http://army.mil/tardec Facebook at U.S. Army TARDEC

Connect with TARDEC -- Industry, academia and Twitter at TARDEC_PAO

government agencies can submit ideas and
inquiries through the Ground Vehicle Gateway Flickr at flickr.com/photos/usarmy_tardec
on the TARDEC website.
YouTube at youtube.com/user/RDECOMTARDEC

Reference herein to any specific commercial company, product,

process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or
otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation or favoring by the United States Government (USG)
or Department of Army (DoA). The opinions of the authors expressed
herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the USG or DoA and
shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

U.S. Army TARDEC | 6501 E. 11 Mile Road | RDTA | Warren, MI 48397-5000 UNCLAS: Dist A. Approved for public release. OPSEC # 25322

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60 U.S. ARMY TARDEC CAPABILITIES