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Located in Northern Virginia, DAGER Technology works with federal, state, local, and military clients in the field of Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism.
Located in Northern Virginia, DAGER Technology works with federal, state, local, and military clients in the field of Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism.
This assessment focused on a small platform robotic response to the threats posed by IEDs combined with an active shooter, remote border crossing, or public transit attack. Previous robotic assessments revealed that robot capability often did not match the needs of first responders in the above situations. Objectives focused on system specifications, visual acuity, maneuverability, and interoperability with bomb squad operations. This assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses of each robotic platform in various operational scenarios.
Systems Tested:
This Reconnaissance (Recon) Robot Comparative Assessment focused on a small platform robotic response to the threats posed by IEDs combined with an active shooter, remote border crossing, or public transit attack. Previous robotic assessments revealed that robot capability often did not match the needs of first responders in the above situations. Objectives focused on system specifications, visual acuity, maneuverability, and interoperability with bomb squad operations. This assessment identified the strengths and weaknesses of each robotic platform in various operational scenarios.
Systems Tested:
This Small Robot Capabilities Assessment was conducted on behalf of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and focused on the threat posed by the possible combination of IEDs with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials. Seven small robot platforms were evaluated in the support of that mission. Assessment objectives focused on visual acuity, maneuverability, and interoperability with the concept of operations.
Systems Tested:
Evaluated the performance of eight medium-sized robot platforms to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each system in various measurable testing and operational scenarios. A “medium robot” definition was developed with comparable systems each having an arm and gripper, a remote disruptor firing capability, the ability to climb stairs, physical weight between 50 and 250 pounds that can be lifted and carried by two operators. The assessment focused on system capabilities in various working configurations, visual acuity, maneuverability, and interoperability consistent with bomb squad operations.
Systems Tested:
This assessment focused on identifying the strengths of each robotic platform in different operational scenarios involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). Cars and trucks of various sizes were used to determine the operational capabilities of each robot to support bomb squad render safe procedures
Systems Tested:
This assessment evaluated mechanical tools that are held in the gripper of a robot to improve a robot’s operational capabilities. Various simulated IEDs, VBIEDs and person borne IEDs, were used to test the technical and operational performance of five different vendors commercially available robot tool sets.
Systems Tested:
Using the Ideal Products T3 (percussion actuated non-electric [PAN]) disruptor, this assessment evaluated the effectiveness of 11 vendor disruptor aiming and support systems. This assessment identified overall strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the different disruptor aiming systems.
This assessment evaluated the technical performance of 33 different disruptor aiming configurations and aiming components for a variety of factors including ease of setup, accuracy, muzzle drift, standoff distances, penetration of various materials, recoil distances, and system ruggedness. This assessment was conducted to identify overall strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the different disruptor aiming configurations.
Technical assessment evaluating the operational performance of six different manufacturers short-barrel disruptor systems. Technology advances making disruptors lighter, more effective, and easier to use are important to evaluate on a regular basis. The disruptors were fired against standard test objects, energetic materials, and a variety of simulated IEDs. This assessment measured each disruptor’s ability to: Penetrate, Disrupt, and Defeat Test Items.
Systems Tested:
Disruptors have evolved into highly versatile and accurate tools capable of defeating sophisticated IEDs. This report evaluated the technical and operational performance of seven different disruptor systems. Disruptors were tested against standard test objects and energetic materials as well as a variety of simulated IEDs. The assessment team evaluated the disruptor systems for a variety of factors including ease of setup, deployment, aiming, time on target, standoff distances, penetration of materials, ability to open various containers, recoil distances, system ruggedness, and maintenance considerations.
Systems Tested:
This assessment evaluated the technical and operational performance of the Carbon Fire 10 (CF10) Disruptor System. The assessment evaluated the CF10’s technical / operational performance and energetic materials impact dynamics. The CF10 was tested against standard test objects and energetic materials as well as a variety of simulated IEDs in simulated operational scenarios. Objectives measured the system’s ability to defeat, penetrate, or disrupt certain test items.
Technology developments have established portable digital x-ray technology as a critical piece of equipment for bomb technicians to assess the threats posed by IEDs. The portable x-ray system comparative assessment evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 11 x-ray systems. Testing was conducted in realistic scenarios on simulated IEDs and ordnance. The objectives of this assessment focused on system performance, clarity of images, and panel dead space.
Systems Tested:
This report documents two operational assessments conducted on two digital radiography (DR) x-ray systems from Smart Ray Vision (SRV). Panels sizes tested were 8″ × 10″ and 14″ × 17″ with different operator control units. Test articles consisted of image quality indicators (IQI) to measure specific technical performance parameters and simulated IED threat objects to measure operational deployment parameters.
This assessment sought to compare the operational performance of twelve different x-ray imaging systems in conjunction with a Golden XRS-3 x-ray source. The systems were evaluated against standard test objects as well as a variety of simulated operational targets in simulated operational scenarios. Some objectives were timed while others measured the ability of system operators to obtain images in challenging situations.
Systems Tested:
A bomb technicians’ ability to take a rapid detailed x-ray image of a potential IED quickly, can reduce the risk to human life. The dismounted x-ray system comparative assessment evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 20 small portable x-ray systems from 12 different vendors. Testing was conducted in realistic timed scenario drills on simulated IEDs. The objectives of this assessment focused on system performance in support of the bomb squad rapid action missions.
Systems Tested:
This operational assessment evaluated the capabilities and limitations of various manufacturers x-ray pulse controllers. The standard established for this assessment is based on the capabilities of the JOLT II, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy Remote Sensing Laboratory, and the first system released to commercial industry. Topics evaluated included system documentation, training, operational functionality, and additional features incorporated by the manufacturers.
Systems Tested:
This report documents an operational assessment of five digital radiography (DR) systems performed on behalf of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Assessment evaluation included setup and imaging time, wireless range, and panel dead space, measuring operationally relevant parameters of the system against simulated threat objects. Image quality indicators (IQIs) were used to measure specific technical performance of each panel.
Systems Tested:
This assessment evaluated vendor claims of six UAS by developing standardized tests, flying the aircraft in simulated operational scenarios, and measuring the results. The goal of the assessment was to validate the claims on communication range, flight time, payload capacity, and make comparisons between the capabilities of the UAS tested. Other data gathered included performance in weather conditions, ease of use, max altitude, and effects of outside radio frequency (RF) interference.
Representatives of bomb squads from across the U.S. participated in the three-day workshop in Ventura County, CA. The workshop focused on how bomb squads currently use UASs, challenges they have encountered, how they overcame them, remaining obstacles, and how they would like this technology to evolve specific to bomb squad usage. The workshop focused on both policy and practical application and included case studies from squads that have successfully integrated UASs into their operations.
This four-day assessment evaluated the performance of 17 commercially available mechanical and hydraulic tools for their capability to perform remote underwater cutting. Different materials such as cord, rope, nylon webbing, cable, and chain were used as test materials in simulated remote render-safe removal operations.
Radio-controlled IEDs (RCIEDs) are a rising threat to first responders. The REBUS is a commercial-off-the-shelf counter-IED suppression system that uses a low-power, broadband transmission signal to inhibit triggering of RCIEDs. The REBUS system is being marketed to the first responder community as a tool to provide protection in advance of a bomb squad responding or for use by a bomb squad when more advanced electronic countermeasures are not available. This assessment focused on a bomb squad response to an RCIED and having to complete their procedures on a covered device.
Technology advancements have improved the operational range of remote firing devices, allowing for increased distance, improved RF safety, and command and control. This assessment tested six systems in real-world, high RF environments including densely populated major city streets, subterranean locations, buildings with challenging designs, and a stadium during a live football game in both line of sight and non-line of sight situations. Report data gathered is presented to support bomb squads and tactical teams in the selection of remote firing systems.
Systems Tested:
The Tactical Bomb Technician (TBT) Response Experiment combined the traditionally separate missions of bomb squads and SWAT teams into a challenging exercise with the goal of examining current capabilities and practices of active teams that train for these incidents. Four different teams of TBTs and SWAT operators participated in six realistic dynamic scenarios, developed from real world incidents. Data collected in this report includes information on tactical command, operation planning, deployment, mobility, equipment, communications, threat identification, render safe procedures, and team safe-distance locations. Please note the report is available in standard and tactical focus.
Bomb Squads responded to six different realistic scenarios, including both command detonated and timed devices, embedded in a range of common vehicles and trucks. Exercise controllers observed and documented a variety of approaches, based on differing standard operating procedures, levels of experience, and training protocols.
This assessment was conducted to evaluate and answer questions about current tool performance to meet this mission requirement and support future enhancements to the Hazardous Devices School (HDS) VBIED Immediate Action Course (IAC). Timed objectives focused on accessing various points of a late-model sedans, sport utility vehicles, and box trucks to create repeatable data collection points. Manual and cordless power tools were used to access vehicles at various points, including laminated windows and windshields, trunks, hatchbacks, hoods, doors, and box trucks were cut into.
This report examines ongoing research, development and technology advancements in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs). Report data documents the future of the sUAS industry in the industrial, military, commercial, and academic disciplines regarding reliability, profitability, and autonomy.