The purpose of the event is to provide a public forum to discuss the utility of Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force EOD forces across the full spectrum of conflict – particularly in the areas of homeland defense, irregular warfare, stability operations, security force assistance and major combat operations.

Attendees will gain a greater understanding of the role of EOD forces in our national security strategy; how these forces are integrated within our national military structure; and how they conduct joint, interagency, and multinational interoperability operations.

The conference will facilitate contact and cooperation between industry and the EOD community with the goal of ensuring EOD forces have access to the ideas and technologies that originate in our nation’s industrial and academic base.  Further, the event will facilitate the sharing of industry and academic viewpoints, recommendations, and advice on EOD support concepts, policies, plans, programs, requirements, and technologies, and assess the potential impacts of pending legislation, regulations, and procedures.

EOD Memorial Ball

Along with the Global Explosive Ordnance Disposal Conference & Exhibition, The EOD Memorial Foundation will be holding their 44th Annual EOD Memorial Ball to honor fallen EOD soldiers and their families.  As usual, attire for the ball is formal/military mess dress.

Details:

Date: May 5, 2012

Location: Emerald Coast Conference Center, Ft. Walton Beach, FL

Time: 5:00 PM – Doors open, cocktails, registration
6:30 PM – Announcement that in 15 minutes everyone needs to be seated for opening ceremony.
6:45 PM – Ceremony begins, Anthem, Invocation Bagpipes, POW table, DV & honored guest intros, Honor Guard, National Anthem.

Dolphin, Sunset, Palm, Sandcastle and Island Rooms are adjacent to the main ballroom within the East Coast Convention Center. Each room has a very large screen, HD, closed circuit television covering the main ballroom events.

Events:

Friday, May 4th

• • Golf Tournament, 0800 Shotgun start, location TBD (last year @ Seascape)
• • EOD Annual Auction, 5pm doors open @ Emerald Coast Conference Center, Okaloosa Island

Saturday, May 5th:

• • EOD Memorial Service, be in place approx 0800 (expect long lines of traffic)
• • Annual Crayfish Boil, 1030 @ Ed’s Restaurant, Niceville
• • Annual EOD Ball @ Emerald Coast Conference Center, Okaloosa Island

Schonstedt Instrument Company has shipped 36 donated magnetic locators to members of the Joint Mine Action Coordination Team - Libya (JMACT).  The JMACT is a partnership of the United Nations and international NGOs, formed to present a coordinated mine action response to the explosive remnants of war (ERW) threat in that country.

Fighting in Libya since February 2011 has led to significant ERW contamination that threatens to increase the number of deaths and injuries of civilians and aid workers as well as jeopardize the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid.

Along with its donors, Schonstedt is pleased to contribute to these efforts to clear the country of unexploded ordnance and abandoned ammunition.

The 310 SUGV is a man-portable robot with dexterous manipulator and wearable controller for dismounted mobile operations. A smaller and lighter version of the combat-proven iRobot® PackBot®, 310 SUGV enters areas that are inaccessible  or too dangerous for people, providing state-of-the-art technology for infantry troops, combat engineers, mobile EOD technicians and other personnel. 310 SUGV gathers situational awareness in dangerous conditions while keeping warfighters and public safety professionals out of harm’s way.

·         Perform dismounted operations like surveillance/reconnaissance, EOD and route clearance missions

·         Dexterous manipulation of objects

·         Wearable controller and heads-up display for mobile operations

·         Easily climbs stairs and overcomes obstacles

·         Rugged design operates in all-weather conditions

·         Lightweight and compact, fits in MOLLE pack

·         Game-style hand controller reduces training time

·         Modular design accommodates optional payloads and sensor

Schonstedt Instrument Company's GA72-Cd handheld magnetometer has been put on permanent display at UN Headquarters in New York, where some 1500 people per day tour the complex. The demining tool is the workhorse of United Nations humanitarian demining teams around the world.  To date, Schonstedt and its customers have donated over 350 units to these teams for use in 21 countries, where UXO clearance would not otherwise be possible.

Photo: A UN guide is explaining the instrument's function in eradicating the world of landmines.

NP Aerospace Inc. unveiled a suit for EOD personnel that can be air conditioned.  An optional cooler unit can be fitted to the suit for use in hot climates to circulate cool, dry air around the body.  The company unveiled the suit during the AUSA Winter conference.

NP Aerospace said the ERGOTEC 4010 Explosive Ordnance Device suit provides better protection, mobility, flexibility, visibility and the ability to work in more confined spaces, as well as a greater capability of capturing forensic information.

Extensively tested and used by the British Army, the ERGOTEC 4010 EOD suit offers composite S2-glass and Aramid, closed cell foam frontal plates that provide enhanced blast and ballistic protection. The three-piece telescopic construction enhances flexibility for the operator while retaining the plate’s blast decoupling capability.

A Nomex outer skin provides fire, flash, water and chemical resistance and can be easily removed for forensic collection and evaluation.  The helmet is streamlined for increased visibility and compression molded for higher ballistic and structural strength. Its ergonomic design reduces linear and radial head acceleration. It contains a scratch-proof visor with heated demisting.

CoBRA software is an inexpensive, easy to use Situational Awareness & Decision Support Tool that runs on your laptop, tablet or mobile data terminal and provides the full spectrum of HAZMAT & CBRNE incident management; including pre-planning, collaboration, exercises and response.  CoBRA now offers it’s powerful tools in a WEB based format, that allows users to access CoBRA from any connected devise, including iPhone and Droid.

 CoBRA provides a large, easily searchable CBRNE reference library, interactive tools to document the site, create reports, and establish stand-off distance and decontamination procedures.  CoBRA is essential during Hazardous Material Characterization/Weapons of Mass Destruction-Elimination. Data and tools within CoBRA are used to determine if a site poses an immediate hazard and to determine if specialized CBRN augmentation forces are required to conduct sensitive site exploitation or mitigation. 

CoBRA enhances the warfighter’s ability for presumptive identification of Toxic Industrial Materials (including Chemical Biological Radiological, and Nuclear materials) to identify the appropriate precautions and avoidance measures.

 During dismounted operations and sensitive site exploitation, CoBRA can support the following actions:

• –         Performing substance classifications on site
• –         Referencing doctrine, technical manuals, and military decision processes
• –         Accessing databases with precursors to chemical weapons
• –         Accessing data as to how chemicals can be employed by the enemy and effects on soldiers
• –         Assisting in planning for transporting and marking of chemical agents
• –         Providing various units of measure and universal conversion
• –         Providing info on personal protective equipment and break through times
• –         Establishing minimum safe distance for explosives and hazard assessments
• –         Providing procedures and data for emergency response, incident command and after action reporting.

 Some CoBRA applications can now be accessed via web to run on Blackberry or iPhone. 

 CoBRA licenses can also be networked together to facilitate real time on scene collaboration amongst responders.

 CoBRA is designed for ease of use and can also be integrated with sensors, robots and other software programs.

  How First Responders use CoBRA

CoBRA software helps the Military and Civilian First Responder;

• –         Quickly and easily review extensive reference library and interactive tools
• –         Identify the hazard & Isolate the area
• –         Consequence Management
• –         Deny Entry by providing stand-off distances
• –         Access pre-prepared action plans for Dismounted Site Assessment,
• –         Evidence Recording
• –         Hazard and Risk Evaluation
• –         Display Plume- CoBRA can provide up to 6 plume and hazard formats
• –         Collaboration between responders
• –         Retrieve info on Individual Personal Protective Equipment
• –         Retrieve info on Standard NATO CBRN TICs/TIMs Markings
• –         CoBRA adds additional layer of protection, CBRNE responder does not have to rely solely on memory (Einstein's theory of first response)
• –         CoBRA will help them decide if they are to deal with the situation immediately or wait for additional resources and capabilities to arrive.
• –         CoBRA software supports National Standards such as National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Structure (ICS), enhancing the ability to establish incident command structure quickly
• –         CoBRA is easily customized to include the responders own local procedures and checklists.
• –         CoBRA software can work in both disconnected environment and well as DoD net-centric architecture
• –         CoBRA has WEB based version already launched for cloud computing option which can allow access via blackberry or iPhone
• –         CoBRA licenses can also be networked together to facilitate real time on scene collaboration amongst responders

 CoBRA’s IED Defeat module

Developed for EOD Techs providing renders safe decision support.  Some of the new tools included in this module include stopwatch and countdown timers used by Bomb Squads during field operations, tools for synchronizing multiple explosives disrupters, and radiography equipment pulse and spread computation tools.  This module goes beyond the explosives tools that come standard within CoBRA software, and designed by and for bomb techs.

DGI’s new TACT software solution provides specific tools in the management of hostage and barricade incidents, by building complete situational awareness via digital tools and data specific to the crisis negotiation team and situation. TACT consists of negotiation aids, a digital situation board, chat, tools and incident data recording for the coach and the primary negotiator. Tactical Aid and Collaboration Toolset is designed for use in situations such as the August 2010 hostage stand-off at the Discovery Channel offices in Maryland which involved hostages and homemade explosives.

 CoBRA offers Unique Training and Support:

•     CoBRA Training materials are on the JPEO-CBD J.A.C.K.S. website for DoD users
•         CoBRA trainers, developers, program managers, and support staff have security clearances and can handle classified material and phone calls.
•         CoBRA staff has an on-site SCIF if needed for sensitive communications, debugging / support of sensitive CoBRA installations.

 View videos of CoBRA software and how it can support your mission at www.cobrafirstresponder.com

Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. - Picatinny recently received a patent for a process to safely train Soldiers how to operate a variety of robots used in Iraq and Afghanistan to detonate improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.  The Robotic Vehicle Trainer is a realistic video game that simulates combat environments and uses the same controls as actual robots used in Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

The design was the brainchild of Bernard Reger, chief of the Combat Support & Munitions Systems Branch, Armament Software Engineering Center, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, known as ARDEC.  Reger received the patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on December 28, 2010, (number 7,860,614) for a Robotic Vehicle Trainer.  Originally submitted for a patent application in September 2006, the patent describes the process by which a robot trainer enables a student to operate a robotic vehicle using a virtual operator control unit within a virtual environment.

"The virtual environment inserts the student into hazardous environments enabling familiarization with the robotic vehicle and EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) bomb disposal tools," Reger said. "The U.S. Army will be able to control the intellectual property of this process if it is being used by a contractor in developing robotic vehicle trainers." The virtual operator control unit, which is essentially a video-game controller, is built with the exact same joysticks, switches, dials and display features as a fielded robot. This allows the Soldier to become familiar with the touch and feel of the real controls while in training. The control unit connects to a laptop computer which runs the software application, allowing trainees to use the system anywhere, from the classroom to the field.

Work on this product started in 2003 as an experiment to insert the Talon robot used by EOD Soldiers into a virtual environment using a popular Army-developed game engine, America's Army.  With more than 8 million registered users, America's Army is an interactive, first-person shooter game that allows civilians a taste for the Soldier life. About a year after the video game launched in 2002, ARDEC began to implement practical training applications into the game for Soldiers.  ARDEC's Armament Software Engineering Center and the Picatinny EOD Technology Directorate worked together over the next few years to define and refine requirements for a product that could familiarize EOD Soldiers in operation of the Talon robot and explosive disposal techniques.

"The patent covers the process by which a robot is assembled in the virtual environment and by which the Soldier is provided with the opportunity to test drive the robot and its tools," Reger said, adding that the Talon trainer was re-branded as the Man Transportable Robotic System EOD Trainer.  The same process was applied to other robots, including SWORDS, EOD PackBot and the CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) PackBot.  The Foster-Miller Talon and PackBot are both tracked robots used to disarm improvised explosive devices. Because they are remotely operated and equipped with cameras, they allow Soldiers to safely detonate suspicious objects from a distance.

"The robotic vehicle trainer provides EOD Soldiers the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the operation of the robot without removing critical assets from the field," Reger said. "It also provides Soldiers to ability to train in what would normally be a dangerous environment. The trainer could be rapidly updated with new tools and techniques of benefit to the Soldier."  The trainers are meant to familiarize operators with the controls as opposed to training them how to respond to different EOD incidents and situations.  However, the operators also detonate different types of IEDs using an assortment of methods. The IEDs are found in locations realistic to where Soldiers would find when deployed, such as hidden in sandbags or in courtyards.

Source : US Army

March 14, 2011 - HDT Engineered Technologies, or “HDT,” a provider of mobile military and emergency response solutions, designed the MK-1 Robotic Arm to be the world’s most advanced prosthetic arm.  Its unique abilities allow it to use any tool meant for human hands and perform many tasks previously impossible for a robotic arm, keeping those operating it safely out of harm’s way.   It features the best strength-to-weight ratio in a light-weight, durable remote ground unit. 

The MK1 Robotic Arm, used for missions such as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), provides superior control for military and homeland security applications. The arm greatly improves utility for these operations by incorporating near-human dexterity with better than human strength. Exceeding load/mass and load/volume of current technology, the MK1 represents the most technologically advanced robotic arm for defense applications.
 
Dexterity and control have been revolutionized by incorporating 11 actuated degrees of freedom and 17 articulated joints. The arm and wrist consist of five separate modules with a total of seven degrees of freedom. The three-finger conformal end effector uses four actuators to drive 10 articulated joints and has a grasp and manipulation capability that exceeds any currently being fielded in military, security and safety operations. The system has a load capacity of 50+ lbs. and a total mass of only 14.5 lbs.

March 11, 2011 - The EOD Grabber Pole by NABCO, Inc is a lightweight, easily deployed tool that enables EOD technicians to move items that would otherwise be difficult to reach.  With a total deployed length of 228.6cm or 90 inches, the EOD Grabber Pole provides and allows for significant standoff, yet collapses down to 54 inches which easily fits into any vehicle. Total weight of the unit is just 6.5lbs, perfect for EOD technicians who can easily carry the pole with one hand even while wearing the bomb suit.  The EOD Grabber Pole features an adjustable quick-pivoting head for easy manipulation, non-sparking claws, and a durable powder-coated aluminum finish.  This is a great tool which enables EOD and Bomb technicians to do a dangerous job - a little bit safer.  For more information about NABCO’s EOD Grabber Pole, visit NABCO.

March 1, 2011 – Inert Products, LLC of Scranton, Pennsylvania announced the release of a new training kit used in the specialized training of U.S. Army Engineers.  In mid 2010, the company was awarded a government contract manufacturing inert training products used in the training of U.S. Army Combat Engineers.  These specialized training products are designed to simulate the actual explosives and tools used in real world operations.  The kit consists of inert C4 charges, dynamite, TNT, detonating cord, shock tube, blasting fuse, inert electric and non-electric blasting caps, M3 - 40LB Shape Charge, various initiators, and demolition accessories such as M1A4 demolition priming adapters.  The training aids allow users to practice cutting, crimping, priming, preparing, and emplacing the charges.  The Combat Engineer Training Kit is available for purchase to official users via the companies’ website.  For more information visit; www.inertproducts.com  

February 18, 2011 - SMi’s first annual CBRN-E Asia Pacific conference and exhibition is going to be held in Singapore on the 11th & 12th April 2011.  As one of the most forward thinking and proactive nations dealing with CBRN defence, Singapore is the ideal location for SMi’s CBRN-E Asia Pacific conference and exhibition.  Following on from our well established European series CBRN-E Asia Pacific will attract the regional and international CBRN-E experts to a highly regarded niche conference unique to Asia Pacific.

The conference offers you the opportunity to hear from key regional and international military and civil experts on their latest prevent and prepare initiatives.  Assess how nations in Asia Pacific and the rest of the world are raising awareness, coordinating a joined up first response, training tactical units and which technologies they are using.  Attend and learn about CBR Incidents and Threats against Metro Systems, including case studies from on site medical response units who attend to victims during the Tokyo Sarin Attacks, CBRN-E Medical Countermeasures, Current and Emerging Threats of CBRN Terrorism including Al-Qaida’s first and second anthrax programmes, Counter IED and EOD and Business Continuity.

Further challenges will be raised during interactive panel discussions and working groups on how to counter the international threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Protecting Critical National Infrastructure and the use of Chemical IEDs. Take the chance to get involved in these interactive debates and make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to get your opinion across to the people that matter.

February 4, 2011 - The Lenco BearCat has become the standard for responding to barricaded subject call outs, high risk warrants and active shooter scenarios.  Lenco vehicles have driven into the kill zone and defeated attacks from high caliber weapons, combat mortar fag and IED’s.  There is no substitute for real world experience.  Lenco is now proud to introduce the BearCat EOD Armored Vehicle for EOD / IEDD technicians. 

The BearCat EOD Armored Vehicle was designed with the help of leading EOD professionals and offers the features of a bomb disposal vehicle with the proven life-saving protection of a Lenco BearCat.   The BearCat EOD is designed to accommodate a large tactical robot in the vehicle’s rear compartment.  Robots enter and exit the vehicle through a curb side ramp.  Bomb technicians can then track the robot via computer monitor inside the vehicle.  A hi-powered camera elevates above the vehicles' roof for enhanced visibility.  The Bearcat EOD also offers optional CBRNE and communications equipment designed to defeat the growing threats faced by the entire counter-IED community.   

With 5,000 vehicles in the field, Lenco is a trusted supplier to Law Enforcement, the US Armed Forces, the AFT, US Marshals, The DoE, and the State Department.  Lenco Armored Vehicles are in cities, on bases and in-theater; proudly protecting our nations defenders and first responders.  Lenco also provides a free step-by-step Grant Writing Package to help your department secure funding.  To learn more about the Lenco BearCat EOD visit the companies' website www.Armoredtrucks.com

DHS approval applies to NABCO containment, storage, and suspect parcel solutions.

January 18, 2011 - Canonsburg, PA – NABCO, Inc. today announced that its explosive containment vessels and magazines have received approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act (the SAFETY Act) of 2002.

“This is an important designation that recognizes NABCO as a critical provider of anti-terrorism solutions for those with responsibility for safeguarding the country against evolving threats,” said NABCO CEO Frank Tobin. “This qualification sends an important signal to the market and our customers that NABCO is considered a valuable partner in the country’s homeland defense.”

To earn DHS approval, NABCO went through an 18-month application, selection and due diligence process, which resulted in qualification of NABCO’s full line of Total Containment Vessels (TCVs), Suspect Parcel Containment Vessels (SLCVs), Total Containment Explosive Magazines (TCEMs), and the company’s EOD Grabber Pole.

The SAFETY Act is designed to encourage the development and rapid deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by providing sellers of qualified technologies with liability protection from lawsuits. Specifically, the SAFETY Act creates certain liability limitations for “claims arising out of, relating to, or resulting from an act of terrorism” where qualified technologies have been deployed.

NABCO Total Containment Vessels and Explosive Magazines are used by law enforcement, military and security personnel around the world with responsibility for emergency response, transportation, storage and mitigation of threats such as unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and other chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

About NABCO, Inc.
NABCO, Inc. is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of explosive and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) containment mitigation systems including self-closing containment vessels, trailers, all-terrain vehicles, disposal solutions, handling devices and radiation shields. For 25 years, military services and civilian security agencies at the federal and local levels around the world have trusted NABCO solutions to safeguard personnel, facilities, communities and the environment against the threat of explosive and CBRN devices. For more information, please visit www.nabcoinc.com