CALSTART will host the US Army’s Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) for the first West Coast Collaboration Day on 26 February at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego.

TARDEC is responsible for developing, integrating and sustaining the right technology solutions for all manned and unmanned Department of Defense ground systems and combat support systems to improve current force effectiveness and providing superior capabilities for the future force. Based in Warren, Michigan, TARDEC is the United States Armed Forces’ research and development facility for advanced technology in ground systems.

During the West Coast Collaboration Day, industry stakeholders will learn about the ongoing and future activities of key TARDEC initiatives and will also have an opportunity for one-on-one sessions with team members. This is the first time TARDEC has held a collaboration outreach event on the West Coast.

The following TARDEC teams will provide briefings:

• Ground Systems Cyber Engineering: TARDEC’s Cyber Engineering team focuses on developing technologies that protect vehicle computers, networks, programs, and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change, or destruction. GSCE identifies cyber vulnerabilities and adaptively secures joint service ground systems by engineering resilient cyber solutions.

• Vehicle Electronics & Architecture: As space, weight, power and cooling resources of ground vehicles can be overburdened by the number of electronic systems onboard, TARDEC continues to explore ways to alleviate this problem through efficiently designed vehicle electronic architecture.

• Ground Vehicle Power & Mobility: For today’s ground vehicle systems, TARDEC is pursuing advanced technologies to increase fleet energy flexibility and efficiency with the goal of providing more power output without adding weight that degrades system performance.

• Ground Vehicle Robotics: TARDEC’s unparalleled leadership in intelligent and autonomous ground systems R&D has made significant impacts in unmanned ground systems (UGS) initiatives which include robotic mobility, autonomous navigation, human-robot interactions and telematics, to name a few. GVR develops solutions related to autonomous robotics; unmanned systems technology development; soldier-machine interfaces; and connected vehicles.

• US Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team (NGCV-CFT): The Army plans to develop prototypes for the next robotic combat vehicle and the next optionally manned fighting vehicle. This team integrates the technology solutions as part of that process.

• Program Manager for Transportation Systems: This group “moves the Army” by managing the entirety of the Army's Heavy Tactical Vehicle fleet, Medium Tactical Vehicle fleet, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected and route clearing vehicles, and all Army Watercraft Systems. PM TS lifecycle manages these highly capable and innovative land & sea transportation assets to enable full spectrum operations for U.S. forces and allies.

• TARDEC External Business Office: EBO identifies, pursues and accelerates business opportunities that improve resource utilization for the Army and its external partners. They serve TARDEC by linking the Army with the capabilities and resources in the public, private and international sectors. EBO is the main connection point for doing business with the Army’s Ground Vehicle Research & Development Center.

Industry representatives will also have an opportunity to sit down with representatives from each of the TARDEC teams in 15-minute time blocks to discuss their products/services and learn about specific collaboration opportunities.

In addition, there will be briefings about new collaboration mechanisms for industry from the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) and the Detroit Automotive Technology Consortium (DATC). These two entities provide industry with streamlined processes for contracting with TARDEC and focus on insuring that non-traditional defense contractors can participate in advanced technology procurement opportunities.

West Coast Collaboration Day is a free event, but pre-registration is required. Due to security measures at MCAS Miramar no walk-ups will be allowed, and specific citizenship requirements will be in place.