Unit News
Members of the fire team protect the SUG-V operator while he operates the robot through the building. Photo by Wesley Elliott, FFID Public Affairs.
Wesley Elliott
FFID Public Affairs
Future Force Integration Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Keith Walker welcomed the Board on Army Science and Technology last week to witness the newest technology in the Army’s Brigade Combat Team Modernization efforts.
The Board on Army Science and Technology, also called BAST, acts as an authority on issues relating to science and technology and the Army. BAST does not set policy but offers suggestions and alternatives for the Army to consider when developing new equipment.
Members of BAST began their visit by attending a briefing on the Army Evaluation Task Force, 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division; the Future Force Integration Directorate; and the Brigade Combat Team Modernization program from Walker and his Chief of Staff Douglas Fletcher before visiting the Adobe Village training facility at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., to witness the equipment in action.
Spc. William Crichton starts the motor on the UAV to prepare it for flight. Photo by Wesley Elliott, FFID Public Affairs.
AETF Soldiers demonstrated an assault on a compound and secured a target of interest using the Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors (T-UGS and U-UGS), the Small, Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUG-V) and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to make an identification of the target before sending in live Soldiers.
The SUG-V robot was able to enter the building after being thrown through a window and enabled the Soldiers to verify the presence of improvised explosive devices and enemy combatants.
The demonstration was followed by a question-and-answer session where members of the board spoke one on one with AETF Soldiers.
The AETF is composed of recent combat veterans who offer feedback that is then implemented into new equipment.
The next day, the BAST group was escorted to the Battle Command Complex on Fort Bliss’ main post where they were shown the latest in virtual training aids that allow Soldiers to interact on a virtual battlefield, testing all the components of the BCT Modernization systems.