WASHINGTON - Naval Sea Systems Command announced the
Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) Increment One
approval for integration after a contract was awarded Aug. 31.
Increment One is the first of three Increments that will
be fielded. The program worked with
industry to understand the integration technical challenges of a family of open
architecture robots. The Navy leads this Joint program area to develop
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robotics family of system products for all
the services.
"AEODRS Increment One fills a key gap in capability
for EOD robotic operations and is the first open architecture system Joint EOD
robot, "said Capt. Aaron Peters, program manager, NAVSEA Expeditionary
Missions Programs. "The Capability Production Document approving
requirement for system was signed in March 2014."
The interoperable approach is based on a government-owned
common architecture that utilizes common physical, electrical, and logical
interfaces. This enables the creation of a family of unmanned ground vehicle
systems with a high degree interoperability and interchangeability to enable
rapid integration of new technologies across the three AEODRS EOD robots. The modular open systems architecture also
enables industry independent research and development to provide innovative
technology to the program.
"The Prime Systems Integrator approach allows for
the best of both worlds, leveraging Northrop Grumman's systems integration
expertise to bring together multiple small business modules leveraging their
innovative ideas," said Rear Adm. Tom Kearney, director, Acquisition and
Commonality. "With a family of systems approach commonality can be
instituted across all increments from program start to provide potential cost
and schedule savings"
The AEODRS program is managed by PMS408 Expeditionary
Missions Program Office as part of the Naval Sea Systems Command's Directorate
for Acquisition and Commonality. The directorate brings together personnel
dedicated to bridging communication gaps between government and industry, in
order to enable cost and variance reductions throughout the acquisition
lifecycle. The directorate also provides leadership support to expeditionary missions,
and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and special warfare communities.
- NAVSEA -