Military and civilian explosive ordnance disposal experts tried out the latest Explosive Ordnance Disposal technologies and robotics in the 2024 National Robot Rodeo competition, Aug. 26-30.
The week-long event, managed by the United States Bomb Technician Association, brought EOD bomb technicians from the government, public sector and international agencies together with industry partners to showcase the latest emerging EOD robotic technologies and capabilities.
The Air Force Civil Engineer Center's EOD Division; the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Office for Bombing Prevention; the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division; Sandia National Laboratory and the United Kingdom Defence Science and Technology Laboratory sponsored this year's rodeo.
With over 25 industry partners in attendance, the goal of this year's rodeo was to put technologies and prototypes into the hands of bomb experts in the earlier stages of development to test their capabilities, identify issues and evaluate equipment that could make its way to the field.
"The ability to work together with so many different organizations gives us an understanding of each other's capabilities in the event of a multi-agency response," said Dr. John Olive, AFCEC's EOD division deputy and subject matter expert. "This event allows us to gain foresight into the latest technologies and capabilities to select and procure equipment that is best suited for our EOD Airmen and will meet our mission needs."
Ten teams of expert bomb technicians, including military services, public safety bomb squads and international teams participated in scenarios that replicate commonly encountered threats while providing real-time feedback to industry partners to help influence the future development process and ensure the capabilities will meet the needs of each organization.
"Robot Rodeo is unique since it isn't solely focused on training and it's not a technology conference," said Mike Del Signore, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division EOD systems division director. "It melds the two to get these emerging technologies into the hands of warfighters and EOD technicians while allowing industry partners to improve the technologies before they are fielded."
Some scenarios in this year's event included device and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device disablement; robot mounted X-ray systems; multi-robot operations; clandestine labs; zero visibility operations; disruptor operations; small unmanned aerial systems; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense response and autonomous navigation.
"Every new piece of equipment coming into the career field is continually getting better and will help keep us out of harm's way," said Senior Airman Benito Pacheco, Nebraska Air National Guard 155th EOD flight, EOD technician. "Operating and getting stick time with these new robotics, like the robot dogs, X-ray machines and VR headsets almost feels like playing a video game, except we are mitigating improvised explosive devices and other hazards while keeping a safe distance from the devices."
In addition to testing the robotics, participants are also able to meet and collaborate with different organizations. This invaluable opportunity allows them to network, discuss their roles and experiences and exchange information on tactics, techniques and procedures.
"Bringing our team from the U.K. allows us to collaborate with EOD operators from other services and share perspectives from an international standpoint," said Nathaniel Jackson, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory senior engineer. "Being able to provide opinions and inputs into these technologies to lead them to where they need to will be beneficial to both the U.S. and the U.K."
As robotic capabilities are transforming, increasing collaboration with our partners and training together with cutting-edge equipment will benefit EOD Airmen by increasing interoperability and preparedness as we move into the Great Power Competition, said Col. Eric Fajardo, AFCEC deputy commander.
"We're going to experience things we never did in our previous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "Working with the industry to see the cutting-edge technologies and equipment that we can purchase and prepping our troops will help our EOD Airmen to fight the new fight."
