34The Military Engineer L January-February L 2010 ERDC Demonstrates New Bridging Capability and Emplacing Method The Lightweight Modular Causeway System (LMCS) was successfully dem- onstrated in a wet gap crossing role, and a new ship emplacing method was introduced during August and Septem- ber exercises in Hawaii. A lightweight, easily-deployed, ?oat- ing roadway, the LMCS is made from ?otation bladders overlain with a walk- ing path. It can be transported by ship or air, can be put together with as little as seven people, is designed to with- stand 20-ft waves and can support the Armys heaviest main battle tank. Recent demonstrations of the LMCS, which won the 2008 Defense Logistics Award for Technology Implementation of the Year, were an extension of a suc- cessful demonstration conducted last year in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which showcased its ship-to-shore causeway capability. In military operations, bridges can be destroyed by the enemy and, with- out some means to rapidly get a new bridging capability in place, forces can- not get to their objective, said Donald Resio, Ph.D., Technical Manager and LMCS Contributor. This can also be a problem during disaster relief and hu- manitarian operations, as was shown in the aftermath of Katrina on U.S. 90. The ability to reach survivors with medical and food supplies or to evacuate them is essential. The LMCS has successfully demonstrated these capabilities. Wet gap is a military phrase for crossing rivers, creeks and ponds. The wet gap demonstration was conducted near the mouth of the Kumumauu Ca- nal on Hickam Air Force Base in Oahu, Hawaii. The exercise featured transit of a simulated humanitarian assistance or disaster relief force, including a ?re truck, from bank to bank. The event was led by a team from the U.S. Army Engi- neer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and sponsored by the Of?ce of the Secretary of Defense. A second exercise, conducted at Vic- tor Pier 5 on U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor, demonstrated an improved method for ef?ciently emplacing the LMCS from ships. The new method features a shipping and handling con- ?guration for LMCS modules and uses available shipboard or land-based cranes instead of a separate specialized system. For more information, contact Wayne A. Stroupe at wayne.a.stroupe@usace.army. mil. Naval Research Lab Looks to Sea, Sun for Energy The U.S. uniformed services could more effectively power unmanned ve- hicles, underwater monitoring sensors, ships and aircraft if Naval Research Lab- oratory (NRL) scientists achieve their Technology News (continued) More than 55 of?ces worldwide Bill Bingham Phone: (717) 763-7211 wbingham@gfnet.com NEPA Compliance Ecosystem Management and Restoration Site Investigation and Remediation Design Drilling and Laboratory Testing Risk Assessment and Management GIS/GPS Services ISO14001-Compliant EMS Services Comprehensive Planning and Public Relations Protecting Critical Infrastructure Satellite Tracking and Messaging Sensitive Cargo Management and Emergency Response MEMBER Caring for the environment Connecting the world Engineers and Planners www.gannettfleming.com Sediment sampling, Wisconsin River
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