Army Research Laboratory
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The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is the U.S. Army's corporate research laboratory. The ARL is headquartered in the Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC) in Maryland, an administrative office called the Army Research Office (ARO) at Research Triangle Part in North Carolina, and a primary research facility at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) in Maryland. In addition to these three bases, the ARL maintains three other smaller research facilities located at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Ohio, NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico.
The following are the seven operational directorates of ARL:
- Army Research Office
- Computational and Information Sciences
- Human Research and Engineering
- Sensors and Electron Devices
- Survivability and Lethality Analysis
- Vehicle Technology
- Weapons and Materials Research
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[edit] History
Before the forming of the ARL, the U.S. Army has had research facilities dating back to 1820 when the laboratory at Watertown Arsenal in Massachusetts studied pyrotechnics and waterproof paper cartridges. This facility and would evolve into the Materials Technology Laboratory. Most pre-WWII military research occurred within the military by military personnel, but in 1945, the Army published a policy affirming the need for civilian scientific contributions in military planning and weapons production. Non-military involvement before this time was frequent; however, methods for contribution to warfare technology was on limited and incidental basis. In June 11, 1946, a new research and Development Division of the War Department General Staff was created; however, due to internal forces within the military which supported the traditional technical service structure the division was closed. A variety of reorganizations took place over the next fours decades, which put many organizations in command of U.S. Army research and development. Often commanders of these organizations were advocated of the reorganization; while some middle level management was opposed to the change.
[edit] Reorganization
The ARL represents the realization of a memorandum dated January 6, 1989 from the LABCOM Commander recommending integrating the corporate laboratories under one physical entity. As part a the Base Realignment and Closure of 1989/1991, the consolidated research facilities would be located at Adelphi Laboratory Center and Aberdeen Proving Grounds. This would also relocate the majority of operations at MTL to APG. The Federal Advisory Commission reviewed and accepted the creation of ARL in 1992.
[edit] Directorates
[edit] CISD
The Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (CISD) is the foremost U.S. Army organization for research and development of modern electronic systems. This research supports capabilities in the analysis, distribution, and assimilation of real or simulated digitized battlefield information. In addition to the digitized war initiatives, high performance computing research is performed at a variety of centers under the ARL. The use of supercomputers for mathematical simulations instead by mass fabrication can result in the conservation of human and physical resources.
[edit] HRED
The ARL's Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) is the primary U.S. Army organization for research and development for military personal technology. HRED conducts research and development to help soldier perform their mission; also, they analyze new equipment and machines to ensure simple interface design or adequate training for personal. Some considerations or human factors the directive considers are: physical, perceptual, cognitive, and psychological. HRED also considers the vase amount of information available to modern battlefield.
[edit] SEDD
Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) is a group dedicated to produce equipment from tiny chips to fully integrated systems. SEDD also helps develop sensors and electronic devices which become an important part of modern warfare. Other components of this directorate include: multifunction radio frequency equipment, autonomous sensing, power generation and management, and signal processing algorithms. One of the best ways to protect the soldier is develop autonomous sensing systems for all activities from intelligence gathering to waging warfare.
[edit] SLAD
Survivability and Lethality Analysis Directorate (SLAD) primary goal is quantifying the survivability, lethality, and vulnerability of a system, referred to as an SLV value. This quantity represents a soldiers ability to survive and function on the battlefield. SLAD is also committed to supporting the U.S. Army in modernization of older systems while ensuring survival in all environments.
[edit] VTD
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Vehicle Technology Directorate (VTD) manages research and development of vehicle propulsion and structure. In addition, VTD conducts analytical and practical experiments in loads analysis, structural dynamics, aero-elasticity, structural acoustics, and vibration reduction. VTD makes ground combat vehicles lighter, more reliable, safer, and more fuel efficient. Air combat vehicles such as the helicopter are studied to decrease the vibrations caused by the rotors. Metallic materials are engineered to increase strength and decrease corrosion through the use of composites.
[edit] WMRD
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) is the principal U.S. Army organization for research and development in weapons and materials technologies. The directive is charged with making the bullet pierce farther, while making the bullet-proof vest stronger. While often these interests may seem opposed, they are sought to increase to survivability of the soldier. In the WMRD, traditional armaments are studied in addition to advanced ballistic defense system. This directorate is especially linked with VTD in order to produce safer vehicles, transports, and aircraft. One aspect of their analysis duty is to evaluate military technologies from an ecological standpoint in order to reduce overall cost of the system.
[edit] Cooperation
The preceding directorates are structured in order to archive specific objectives in research and development; however they are not disjunct. An autonomous Hummer, for example, would include almost every directive. ARL was built to be a technology toolbox where designers could pool the collective resources of each directorate. Conversely, military organizations before ARL were not structured for cooperation. Today personnel are involved in multiple directives and frequently in groups to meet objectives.
