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Preparations for the MoD Grand Challenge: Part 2 |
The second meeting of the Teams in the UK MoD Grand Challenge at Copehill Down took place on Monday 15th October, 2007.
- from AUVSI's Unmanned Systems eBrief - Issue #10
Army News Service(10/01/07) Sheftick, Gary
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. recently exhibited cutting-edge devices to members of Congress that are currently being used in Iraq. The devices were developed under the Future Combat Systems program. Casey put on display the Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) unmanned aerial vehicle, of which 50 are now being used in Iraq. " It's a squad or platoon-level unmanned vehicle that you can run down an alley, look around a corner or look on a roof and see what's up there," he said. Next, he displayed a Small Unmanned Ground vehicle, a robot that has already dismantled some 11,000 improvised explosive devices in theater. Nearly 5,000 of these robots are now fielded, said Casey. The display was part of Casey's Sept. 26 testimony before the House Armed Services Committee about the need to overhaul and improve the Army's capabilities. " We are ultimately working toward an agile, globally responsive Army that is enhanced by modern networks, surveillance sensors, precision weapons, and platforms that are lighter, less logistics-dependent, and less manpower-intensive," he testified. He added that the FCS program needs additional backing from Congress to ensure progress.
Yours truly with high resolution map from Goole Earth. I was catching flak on the need to hold the ruler upright.
One enterprising Team even brought their own crane!
A British Army sniper explaining the ins and outs of sniping. He was very interesting and impressively professional.
This is all you might see of a sniper...
or this, with a bit more lighting.
A few more bits on the QinetiQ Team platform...
Robotic ground vehicle, thought to be from the Stellar Team, going through its paces...
Traxxas radio controlled electric car, according to the Mindspeed Team, capable of up to 30 mph...
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