Tech Talk ARTICLE

March 2005

Homeland Defense Vehicle Unveiled

edited by Robert H. Williams

U.S. Army engineers spent five years working on a state-of-the-art homeland security vehicle that was designed for emergencies in the Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia and New York City corridor.

The vehicle has a decontamination capability and handles hazardous-materials and weapons of mass destruction scenarios.

Onboard systems will permit the eight-person crew to operate in hazardous environments for an extended period and will let operators exchange voice messages, text and images.

The forward section of the mobile command center has satellite communications systems and a weather station. The information can be shared with first responders at city, county, state and federal levels.

Other features include a surveillance camera mounted on a 25-foot mast, a chemical, biological and nuclear-materials sniffing robot, a 300-pound crane for specialized HAZMAT and rescue equipment, and environmentally controlled storage compartments for testing gear.

The project involved the Army Communications and Electronics Command, in Fort Monmouth, N.J., and Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, Wis.

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