ERDC Joint Rapid Airfield Construction 2007 Demonstration Project (TPD0701032)

Joint Rapid Airfield Construction (JRAC)

Future Efforts: Research and Development continues through FY07

*JRAC Design and Evaluation System for Contingency Airfields

*  Rapid stabilization for C-17

*  Rapid evaluation and repair of existing paved surfaces

*  Design JRAC deployable kits

*  Plan for JRAC ’07 Demonstration at C-17 airfield

170,900-lb Payload

C-17 Aircraft 447,000-lb

JRAC 2007 Demonstration

• •Above and beyond the FY04 Demonstration
  • C-17 capable airfield
  • Join existing military exercise (Combined, Joint)
• •Technologies tested by engineer Soldiers
  • Demonstrate all applicable JRAC Technologies

New JRAC software suite

Rapid soil and site assessment kits

RAVEN

New GPS Earthmoving Control Systems

Soil Pulverizer

Quality Assurance technologies

Soil stabilizer systems

Matting system

Dust Control

What JRAC Brings to the 2007 Demo

• Planning and design capability for airfield construction / upgrade
• Training for Soldiers on all JRAC technologies
• Materials (matting systems, soil stabilization systems)
• Enhanced earthmoving systems
• Vehicles specific to JRAC construction (Raven, soil pulverizer)
• JRAC team on the ground for project support / oversight

Geometric Requirements

Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA)

Bradshaw – Proposed Airfield Site

• Geometry – Clearing would be required but no real restrictions

• Close proximity to Range Control and other facilities (power and water)

• Some clearances already obtained

Scope

• Course of Action 1 – MOG 1 constructed by AS and US then JRAC demo constructs stabilized turnarounds.

• Course of Action 2 – MOG 1 constructed by AS and US then JRAC demo constructs MOG 1 apron.

• Course of Action 3 – MOG 1 constructed by AS and US then JRAC constructs a MOG 2 apron.

Regional Characteristics

Tropical climate

Cyclones may occur from December to April

Tropical Climate

Tropical Climate

       November to March -‘The Wet’     

BFTA “Station” Homestead

BFTA – Location

8,710 sq km (3362.95 sq miles) (2.15 million acres)

Seven to nine hours drive south west of Darwin – between Katherine and Kununurra

North of Timber Creek across Victoria River

Bradshaw Field Training Area

BFTA – Future Development

Will be the major training area in Northern Australia comprising

Training Force Maintenance Area

2 x 250 pers Scale A camp

2 x 250 pers satellite camps

Range control complex

Caretakers residence

110 km road network

All weather bridge access

Recent Developments / Issues

• •Verbal commitment from AS Army to participate in JRAC demo
• USARPAC actively working to identify US Army unit to participate in anticipation of JRAC Demo at TS07
• USARPAC pursuing additional funding via Exercise Related Construction (ERC) to assist the participating Army unit
• •Still need to verify/locate a reasonable source of aggregate and water for construction of the airfield