Dutch DeGay's presentation from the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge Connected Soldier event on January 12, 2016

1. Mission/Purpose
What do we do?
T h e L e a d e r i n E m p o w e r i n g t h e W o r l d ’ s M o s t C a p a b l e S o l d i e r s
US Army Natick Soldier Research
Development & Engineering Center
1UNCLASSIFIED
Jean-Louis “Dutch” DeGay
jean.l.degay.civ@mail.mil
O: 508-233-5436 C: 508-308-6271

2. Natick Soldier Systems Center
In Operation
Since
1954
MISSION: Conduct research, development,
acquisition and sustainment to maximize
combat effectiveness and survivability of
freedom’s defenders.

3. 3
Adding Value Through:
•Basic Science
•Technology Generation, Application, and
Transition Enabling Rapid Fielding of the
Right Equipment
•Soldier Systems Technology Integration
and Transition
•Solving Field Problems Rapidly
The Leader in
Empowering the World’s
Most Capable Soldiers
Natick Soldier RD&E Center
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4. Who We Support
Defense
• Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical/Biological Defense
• Defense Logistics Agency
• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Other Government Agencies
• Office of the Surgeon General
• National Aeronautics & Space Administration
• Food and Drug Administration
• United States Department of Agriculture
• United States Forestry Service
• Bureau of Engraving and Printing
• United States Postal Service
• Army Veterans Program
• Department of Justice
• Department of Homeland Security

5. Biological Sciences
Anthropology
Applied Kinesiology/Biomechanics
Aquaculture
Athletic Training
Biological Anthropology
Biology
Biomechanics
Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
Exercise Science
Microbiology
Orthopedic Biomechanics
Physical Anthropology
Zoology
Chemical Sciences
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Food Science & Nutrition
Inorganic Chemistry
Natural Resources
Physical Chemistry
Physical Organic Chemistry
Engineering & Technology
Aerospace
Applied Mechanics
Biomedical
Chemical
Civil
Computer Science
Electrical
Environmental
Fire Science
Human Factors
Industrial
Materials
Mechanical
Textile Engineering
Textile Technology
Safety Engineering
Safety and Occupational Health
Materials
Materials Science & Engineering
Plastics Engineering
Polymer Science & Engineering
Behavioral & Cognitive
Sciences
Biopsychology
Cognitive Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Health and Social Behavior
Industrial Psychology
Physiological & Comparative
Psychology
Other
Liberal Arts
Biostatistics
Criminal Justice
Economics
Mathematics
Business Administration
Clothing Textiles
Textile Design
To Support the Breadth of Human Science
and Human Systems Integration
From Aerospace to Zoology
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6. NSRDEC: Focused on the Soldier Domain
Basic & Early
Applied Research
Airdrop/
Aerial Deliver
Clothing &
Protective
Equipment
Human Systems
Integration
Expeditionary
Basing/Collective
Protection
Joint Service
Combat Feeding
Soldier/SCU Tech
Maturation and
Demonstration
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7. Basic & Early
Applied
Research
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Polymer Science & Engineering
• Modeling & Analysis
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8. Human Systems
Integration
Sciences
• Anthropometry
• Biomechanics
• Behavioral & Cognitive Sciences
• Human Factors/ MANPRINT
• Sensory & Consumer Research
• Modeling & Analysis
• Soldier and Small Combat
Unit Performance
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9. Human Systems
Integration
Sciences
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Our Problem

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• Hardware/Software Agnostic
• Future architecture – plug and play
integrated with DoD software package
• One or two power sources to power
entire suite of Soldier electronics
– Point to Multi-point power transfer
• Despite a less than 100% transmission
of power, Soldier load reduced by
reduction of heavy cables needed,
connectors
• Leverage other efforts by DARPA,
CERDEC, DoD Labs, Academia,
Industry
Why Wireless?

12. 121212
• Replacement for cables
and connectors
• Push for on-Soldier wireless
data protocols
• Increased kit flexibility for
on-Soldier electronics.
Moving Forward

13. Ballistics and
Blast Protection
Challenge Areas:
• Lightweight materials and systems to
mitigate broad ballistic threats
• Modular body armor that can be tailored
to defeat specific threats
• Primary blast injury models
• Updated standards to evaluate behind
armor blunt trauma
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14. Contingency Basing
Challenge Areas:
• Self-sufficient base camp technologies that
reduce waste generate and energy & water
consumption
– Waste remediation/disposal
– Efficient energy solutions
– Rapid Deployment
– Survivability
14UNCLASSIFIEDObusek AMC DCG 24 May13

15. Airdrop/Aerial
Delivery
Challenge Areas:
• Precision airdrop in complex terrains
– Cargo and personnel
• Tactical resupply for enhanced ground
force maneuverability
• “On demand” air drop
– Similar to call for fire
– Support unburdening Soldier load
• Alternative forms of navigation to
allow for use in GPS denied areas
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16. Challenge Areas:
• Cutting-edge solutions for food
processing, packaging and
preservation
• Improved selectivity and/or sensitivity
of foodborne pathogen and toxin
detection sensors
• Reduction in energy expenditure and
manpower consumption while
providing flexibility to support feeding
Soldiers in various operational
scenarios
Combat Feeding
16UNCLASSIFIEDObusek AMC DCG 24 May13

17. Unique Capabilities that Foster
Industrial/Academic Partnerships
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18. Base Camp
Integration
Lab
• Based at Fort Devens - Team
Effort (Active and Reserve)
• Two 150 man Force Provider
Expeditionary Base Camps
• Test and Improve Current
Component Systems
• Develop New Technologies
for Future Use – Power &
Water
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19. HEROES
UMass-Lowell Joint Research
Innovation Collaboration
HEROES – Harnessing Emerging
Research Opportunities to Empower
Soldiers
• Overall Goal: create a joint research
center to catalyze new ideas and
innovations to empower Warfighters.
Partnering for S&T Horizon
Forecasting.
• Collaborative Research Projects
addressing soldier survivability,
sustainability, mobility, combat
effectiveness and field quality of life
funded by a variety of sources:
• Shared facilities – 5000 sq ft
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Academic Collaboration

20. The Story Behind the Story:
Combat Feeding S&T
#5 Immortal Food
Pocket Sandwiches for MREs and
First Strike Rations
• Limiting Moisture Transport with
Water absorbing Polymers
• Oxygen Scavenging Packaging
• Future Improvements with High
Pressure Processing
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21. NSRDEC S&T Accomplishments
enabled this capability
The Story Behind the Story:
Airdrop S&T
“The United States last year airdropped
a record amount of supplies to remote
outposts throughout Afghanistan,
reflecting dramatic changes in the
accuracy of aerial resupply missions
that are crucial to the
counterinsurgency campaign.”
USA Today, February 1, 2012
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22. Female Body Armor
Best Inventions
of the Year 2012
The Story Behind the Story:
Soldier Protection
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23. Find us on the Web
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24. The Science
Behind
the Soldier
Yesterday,
Today and
Tomorrow
US Army Natick Soldier
Research, Development &
Engineering Center
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