RATLER™ at the Sierra Army Depot

sandia.gov ^ | 2004 2/7 | Paul Klarer

[serurier]

A Sandia National Laboratories RATLER™ vehicle named HAGAR was loaned in a technology evaluation program to the Sierra Army Depot near Reno Nevada for use in their open-pit munitions demolition activities. The open-pit detonation method sometimes results in 'misfires' where a pit stack was commanded to detonate from the manned command bunker but failed to do so. In the case of a misfire, which can occur due to either electrical or mechanical failures in the remote detonation system or the stack itself, the pit stack must somehow be inspected and rendered safe to approach before workers can re-rig the detonation/firing system.

Standard procedure for pit recovery after a misfire mandates a 'stand-down' wait time to ensure the pit does not detonate due to a 'slow burn' or a fire in the stack, and at some point in time a worker must approach the pit to remove the blasting caps and render the stack safe for approach by the rest of the crew. This is obviously dangerous and time consuming work and provided an excellent opportunity for a robotic system to improve efficiency and safety for the workers at Sierra.

The HAGAR system provided a way to immediately begin the recovery process by giving operators a view of the pit within a few minutes of a misfire. A planned enhancement to the HAGAR system was the addition of a simple cutter to allow a teleoperator to remove the blasting caps and drag them away from the stack, thereby rendering it safe to approach. Although the cutting system was not implemented before the 1 year evaluation period expired, the workers and HAGAR users at Sierra Army Depot had come to think of HAGAR as "just another member of the team," as essential to their operations as the demolition specialists and riggers.

Contact: Paul Klarer (505) 844-2900 email: prklare@sandia.gov

[serurier]

Army in Iraq need more UGV !

[RIGHT IN LAS VEGAS]

We need mor help from the workers from Palestine.

You know,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the arafat sort.

We all hope the Hillary and arafat succumb to Thai chicken. She should go to hell!

[serurier]

I think , army in Iraq need more UAV , UGV , SENSOR .

[radu]

Thanks for the ping, serurier.

It sounds like the troops who evaluated this are happy with it. Anything that makes the troops safer is good. I hope they get this fine tuned and available to the military soon.

[serurier]

Thank you radu , I think , To road side bomb army can use UAV ( or Airship ).

[radu]

I think , To road side bomb army can use UAV ( or Airship ).

Yes, they would be very good for that.

[gonzo]

Thank you both for being here on Free Republic.............FRegards

[radu]

Good morning.
LOL....I thought I was the only one awake at this ungawdly hour.

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

ping

[eno_]

Well, I guess I can go to work on Monday knowing somebody's job sucks more than mine!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Travis McGee]

EOD PING

[Squantos]

LOL.....Just one more way of getting out of buying a case of beer. Dual prime and ya never have a misfire. But hey if it saves one life it's worth every penny !

Stay Safe !

[gonzo]

"EOD PING"

What WAS that saying? 'If ya see an EOD guy running, try to keep up with him'!...............FRegards

[Squantos]

One of my favorite bar shirts said....... Arguing with an EOD Tech is like wrestling with a pig in deep mud. Everybody gets muddy and the pig loves it !

Stay Safe Gonzo ! Hope all is well with you and yours !

[gonzo]

"...Good morning. LOL....I thought I was the only one awake at this ungawdly hour.

Sometimes gawd wakes us up and says: "Post Something - Even if it involves Charles Bronson!"

My hours are flexible.............FRegards

[gonzo]

"...Stay Safe Gonzo ! Hope all is well with you and yours !..."

Doin' OK, pal! I had a F%#&*ng Motorhome, and a F%#&*ng Airplane, and now I'm working on the F%#&*ng boat!

Take care of you-and-yours too, pally...............FRegards