Army Secretary Tours Army Research, Development And Engineering Command Facilities
Army Secretary John McHugh visited and toured the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command facilities on March 15, where he received "briefings and hands-on time with high teach gear, including night vision devices, next generation batteries, extremely accurate mortar rounds, explosive device detection gear and the latest recipes for Soldier cuisine in the field," as reported by David McNally for Army.mil.
McHugh got to put M-16 rifle rounds in complete darkness using a night vision device during his tour at the U.S. ARDEC's Night Vision and Electronic Sensor facility, the Army's latest break through.
"I think he will see what the Soldiers are using over in theater. He will see how Soldiers are able to function at night, and be able to surprise the enemy, and not be surprised by the enemy," said Staff Sgt. Milinda Williams, who helped prepare the shooting range for McHugh's visit.
The secretary is responsible for the Department of the Armys' annual budget and financial supplemental budget of more than $200 billion. Most of what he was interested in, as far as Army technological development goes had to do with cost and capabilities.
RDECOM commanding general, Maj. Gen. Nick Justice said, "We deliver timely, innovative, integrated solutions to modernize and sustain and dominant Army. We define the art of the possible."
Requirements analyst with Natick Soldier Systems Research and Development Center, Joseph Patterson said, "I work on lightening the load for Soldiers." Patterson informed the secretary the different kinds of things his department is working on to help Soldiers in combat.
"I told the Secretary we're not only lightening the Soldier's load, but we're looking at alternative ways to smartly integrate battery technology so we can maximize his fighting load real estate, instead of sucking up valuable real estate with brick batteries," Patterson said. "I'd say that he looked at the form factors and he definitely thought that this form of battery needs continued exploration."
"The Secretary saw integrated solutions that are already fielded, helping Soldiers and saving lives,” McNally wrote.
Image: Army Secretary John McHugh (right) gets hands-on time with a high-tech, night-vision sighting system courtesy of subject-matter expert Wayne Antesberger, March 15, during a visit to a U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command facility at Fort Belvoir, Va. Photo by David McNally.