SMARTRUCK PROGRAM

The SmarTruck program was a vehicle prototype development program sponsored by the US Army’s National Automotive Center (NAC) to meld leading edge commercial and military technologies with existing commercial pickup trucks. The aim of the program was to explore and integrate emerging technologies into a variety of existing vehicle platforms in order to expose the military to a number of new solder safety enhancements and situational awareness technologies that were developed in commercial sectors, but were not yet mil-spec rated.

I was hired at ICRC, which was later absorbed by VSE Corporation, specifically for this program. ICRC’s role as the prime contractor on this program included the integration of these add-on technologies as well as the coordination of the vehicle prototype builds. I began as the lead engineer on the project, and within three year’s time, I grew into the program manager’s role. I was responsible for developing the list of technologies that the team would integrate and I created a build plan which included selecting the appropriate subcontractors to assist in executing the fabrication and package protection prototype build tasks. I then quoted the prototype build and technology integration, proposed our plan to the government customer and coordinated an appropriate scope of work with the government’s contracting department to secure funding.

As part of this program, our team tested and evaluated a variety of technologies for inclusion on the various vehicle prototypes that were developed. Each of these devices was analyzed for integration feasibility, design, operation and performance. The technologies we evaluated included nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) detection, touchscreen operator interface displays, pneumatic/electric mast systems, power generation equipment, solid oxide/PEM fuel cell systems, infrared/visible light camera systems, fingerprint biometrics, audio/video management systems, radio interoperability communications systems, Unmanned air/ground vehicles (UAV/UGV), non-lethal countermeasures, and .50-calibre weapon systems.

Click on the photos below for more information on each of the prototypes that were developed as part of the SmarTruck Program.