The system is composed of reusable materials that can be configured and rapidly emplaced with no equipment, within hours or days instead of weeks, depending on the operational environment. The MPS protects against direct-fire threats; rocket, artillery, and mortar threats; shoulder-fired threats using an added pre-detonation screen; improvised explosive device [IED] blasts; and vehicle ramming.

A goal of all ERDC research and development is to transition products and technology from our military mission to the civilian sector and vice-versa.

The MPS has been deployed with the 555th Engineer Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division [2-504 Parachute Infantry Regiment], Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Special Forces Group, and the 2-16 Infantry Regiment.

Another critical research focus area is developing hardened structures for forward-deployed personnel located in high-threat posts. These concepts apply to new and existing structures constructed with modern architectural techniques for U.S. facilities and critical assets around the world.

ERDC has developed a fast-running engineering code specifically designed to estimate the net explosive weight [NEW] used in underbelly IED attacks against military and other vehicles. The code will be used by explosive ordnance device teams and by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for forensics analyses. The code is currently being taught to Soldiers and civilian teams at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

ERDC is also conducting remote assessment of critical infrastructure in the U.S. and around the world using infrasound, low-frequency acoustics. This scientific- and academic-grade seismic and infrasound regional monitoring capability can be localized for specific areas of interest to look at terrain, bridges, dams, urban areas, subway systems, and other critical infrastructure. It can also be used to conduct remote battlefield assessments and remotely detect, localize, and characterize threats against U.S. forces, equipment, and facilities.

In addition, ERDC-developed technology to detect border-tunneling activity has been used as far back as 2007 in contingency operation environments and along U.S. borders to detect the movement of personnel, weapons, and contraband.

ERDC research and technology provides faster, adaptable, and integrated capabilities to the armed forces and the nation. Their solutions empower and protect those charged with safeguarding lives and facilities around the globe.

Are there any ERDC-developed technologies that have any practical civilian use?

A goal of all ERDC research and development is to transition products and technology from our military mission to the civilian sector and vice-versa. For example, blast technologies developed by ERDC to protect Soldiers and civilians in contingency operations are now being used to protect critical assets such as buildings, bridges, locks and dams, and railways in the U.S.

Other examples of technologies that have practical use include:

• Acoustic sensor technology developed to detect tunnels in war zones is being used on our borders to detect tunnels used to smuggle contraband and people into the U.S.;
• Aerial route reconnaissance technology used by Soldiers on recon missions in theater is now being used during disasters such as hurricanes and floods to assess conditions and damaged areas to provide data to first responders and emergency operations personnel; and
• Reach back engineering tools and capabilities were developed to provide real-time solutions to Soldiers on the ground around the world [structural stability of dams, bridges, and roadways, for example]. These technologies are now being used in emergency operations around the world to provide real-time solutions to disaster responders.

This interview first appeared in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Building Strong®, Serving the Nation and the Armed Forces 2014-2015 Edition.