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Sandia
designed,
produced,
and
tested
shoulder-length
gauntlets
to
help
protect
the
arms
and
lives
of
military
personnel
in
combat.
The
gauntlets,
forearm
and
upper
arm
protective
inserts
as
seen
at
right,
made
of
Kevlar
layers
with
carbon-composite,
protect
soldiers
riding
atop
military
vehicles
from
Improvised
Explosive
Devices
(IEDs).
Army
representatives
are
collecting
statements
from
troops
who
have
worn
the
gauntlets.
Among
the
comments:
“They
really
like
the
gauntlets
and
think
they
are
a
great
item;”
“impressed
with
the
gauntlets;”,
and
“looking
forward
to
receiving
many
more
gauntlets.”
(6900,
15300)
Exoskeletons for soldiers require advanced sensing of their environment, including ground reaction forces and terrain sensing. To solve this problem, a Sandia team (15200, 1700, 14100, and 9100) produced a custom MEMS-based pressure sensor array and integrated it into an exoskeletal boot sole. The team advanced the state-of-the-art in microsystems deployment by packaging a delicate MEMS device to withstand the abusive environment encountered by the bottom of a soldier’s boot. (15200)
The US military needs a rapid-response, precision-strike conventional weapon capable of holding hardened and deeply buried targets at risk. The Tactical Missile System Penetrator project is an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration to design, develop and demonstrate such a weapon system. The US Navy Strategic Systems Programs Office is sponsoring Sandia’s work in this conventional warhead payload effort. The project is in the flight demonstration phase. An FY05 project deliverable will be six combat-capable residual assets. (1800, 2300, 2500, 2600, 2900, 3100, 9100, 10200, 12300, 14100, 15400)
The Intelligent Systems Controls Department (15234) has recently developed a Wheeled Hopping Vehicle for DARPA’s Advanced Technology Office. This man-packable robot vehicle uses a combustible cylinder to jump over 8-foot-tall obstacles. This capability allows a small vehicle to negotiate rough terrain previously considered impossible. Applications for this robot vehicle include searching caves and deeply buried facilities. (15200)
The Targets Program delivered two target payloads to support Missile Defense Agency launches in early FY05. These launches test the effectiveness of our nation’s missile defense system. Five additional target payloads reached various stages of completion in FY04, all of which will support flight tests in FY05. The newest of these payloads, designed by Sandia in FY04, involves highly advanced development work, including Wireless LAN technology. This advanced development work aligns with our program’s future objectives as well as the Labs’ vision. (15400)
The Penetration Science and Technology Department and the Structural Mechanical Engineering Department designed and successfully demonstrated a new, two-piece penetrator with a jointed-nose that provides the following advantages: Precision deep-cavity machining of high-strength steel alloys; uniform heat-treatment; expanded assembly options; forward fuze placement; nose-shape; nose-material optimization; and reduced production costs. The elements of these designs have been used across the Lab, and are being embraced by DoD laboratories and contractors.
We are developing the technology for an eye-safe, robust, low-cost, lightweight, 3-D structured lighting sensor for use in broad daylight outdoor applications. Structured lighting requires image processing to isolate or segment a laser signal from background clutter in a camera image, which is difficult to accomplish under bright outdoor conditions and with highly absorptive surfaces. Applications include precision mapping, autonomous navigation, dexterous manipulation, surveillance and reconnaissance, part inspection, geometric modeling, laser-based 3-D volumetric imaging, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), aiding first responders, and supporting soldiers with helmet-mounted LADAR for 3-D mapping in urban-environment scenarios. (15200)
Sandia staff are helping the US Navy create next-generation aircraft carrier operations by conducting analyses leading to improved performance, reduced manpower, and reduced costs. After successful completion of a four-month evaluation of current Navy air wing operations, structure, and preliminary improvement alternatives in FY04, a strategic partnership has been formed through at least FY07 to develop a “system of systems” analysis capability providing greater quantitative understanding of the aircraft carrier system to improve decision-making regarding organizational structure and resource allocation. (6800, 6200, 15200)
The Micro Analytical Systems Department is completing work for the Defense Emergency Response Fund to address mass-manufacturing and other critical issues for MicroChemLab. DoD had significant reproducibility problems with production of other chemical sensor packages. We have overcome many of these issues and have developed apparatus to reproducibly deposit polymer films and sol gels for our chemical analysis system components. In addition, we have established commercial manufacturers for each of the critical components for MicroChemLab. (1700)
Significant new electromagnetic launch capability has been achieved this year as a result of new launch programs supported by DoD and Lockheed Martin. A program has been initiated by the Defense Advanced Projects Agency to analyze and demonstrate EM launch capability for mortar-class artillery. The goal of this program is demonstration of full-scale launchers (both railgun and coilgun variants) at muzzle velocity of 420 m/s for 120 mm mortar projectiles, with kinetic energy of 1.6 MJ. The EM Mortar team is composed of the following organizations: Sandia (lead), Institute for Advanced Technology (IAT) at the University of Texas; The Army Research and Development Command, Picatinny Arsenal; the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University and Los Alamos National Laboratory; and TPL, Inc. (15300)
A full-size EM launcher for vertical launch missile systems has been demonstrated at Sandia through a Shared Vision program with Lockheed Martin Marine Systems and Sensors Division in Baltimore. Our missile launcher demonstration test-stand has been assembled and tested with full mass (1430 pounds) and velocity of 10 m/s, the velocity predicted for the five-stage launcher. The payload is launched to a height of more than 20 feet, as predicted from launcher simulation. This revolutionary launch capability is being presented to the Navy Sea Systems Command and Office of Naval Research in a series of briefings and demonstration launches. (15300)
As part of the Enhanced Perception LDRD, we’re developing robotic vehicles capable of autonomously generating maps. The map at left was generated from a laser scanner mounted on a mobile robot. The robot uses these maps to plan its own paths. The robot continuously correlates its scanned data to the map to localize itself as it navigates. Data from upward-looking sensors are stitched together to generate 3-D maps. 3-D maps provide enhanced situational awareness to the operator.