Mobile Detection Assessment and Response Systems (MDARS): A Force Protection, Physical Security Operational Success

MDARS is a semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle with intrusion detection & assessment, and product & barrier assessment payloads. Its functions include surveillance, security, early warning, incident first response and product and barrier status primarily focused on a depot/munitions secu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shoop, Brian, Johnston, Michael, Goehring, Richard, Moneyhun, Jon, Skibba, Brian
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION
COMBAT SUPPORT
Combat Vehicles
Cybernetics
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
FIRRE(FAMILY OF INTEGRATED RAPID RESPONSE EQUIPMENT)
FORCE PROTECTION
GROUND VEHICLES
INTRUSION DETECTION
MDARS(MOBILE DETECTION ASSESSMENT AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS)
MOTION DETECTORS
NIGHT VISION DEVICES
PHYSICAL SECURITY
REDCAR(REMOTE DETECTION CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE)
ROBOTICS
TEST AND EVALUATION
UNMANNED
UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES
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Description
Summary:MDARS is a semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle with intrusion detection & assessment, and product & barrier assessment payloads. Its functions include surveillance, security, early warning, incident first response and product and barrier status primarily focused on a depot/munitions security mission at structured/semi-structured facilities. MDARS is in Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) under the Product Manager for Force Protection Systems (PMFPS). MDARS capabilities include semi-autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, motion detection, day and night imagers, radio frequency tag inventory/barrier assessment and audio challenge and response. Four SDD MDARS Patrol Vehicles have been undergoing operational evaluation at Hawthorne Army Depot, NV (HWAD) since October 2004. Hawthorne personnel were trained to administer, operate and maintain the system in accordance with the US Army Military Police School (USAMPS) Concept of Employment and the PM-FPS MDARS Integrated Logistic Support Plan. The system was subjected to intensive periods of evaluation under the guidance and control of the Army Test and Evaluation Center (ATEC) and PM-FPS. Significantly, in terms of user acceptance, the system has been under the operational control of the installation performing security and force protection missions in support of daily operations. This evaluation is intended to assess MDARS operational effectiveness in an operational environment. Initial observations show that MDARS provides enhanced force protection, can potentially reduce manpower requirements by conducting routine tasks within its design capabilities and reduces Soldier exposure in the initial response to emerging incidents and situations. Prepared in cooperation with Air Force Robotics Laboratory, Tyndall AFB, FL. Prepared in collaboration with Titan Corporation under contract no. DAAB15-030A-0002. Sponsored in part by SPAWAR Systems Center Systems Branch, San Diego, CA. The original document contains color images.