Background

The CAT program employs an academic-industry-government collaborative process to define Department of Defense (DoD) priority requirements, identify candidate technology solutions, and promote their transition to both the commercial and government marketplaces, including government programs of record (POR). The primary objectives for the CAT program are: 1) to accelerate the fielding of cutting edge technology to military personnel in support of military operations, homeland defense and other DoD-defined requirements; 2) to promote the multi-use development of technology for use in disasters of mass proportions (man-made and natural); and 3) to provide a competitive opportunity and comprehensive approach to fast-track the commercialization of DoD sponsored technological advances from academia, industry, and government that might not otherwise make it out of the laboratory.

Requirement

Military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq marked the first time that robotic systems are playing a meaningful role in combat operations, supporting cave and bunker reconnaissance, chemical and radiological detection, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and other military missions. For example, EOD units from all four military services are currently using a variety of teleoperated systems on missions ranging from scouting unsecured bunkers, buildings, or caves, to neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Based on this initial success, there is increasing demand for more unmanned ground vehicles with additional capabilities and greater autonomy.

Contact

For information on the CAT Program – Unmanned Systems initiative and other program activities, contact:

1. Thomas Sheffer, CCAT SD Program Director
   Phone: 619.594.4135 or email: tsheffer@foundation.sdsu.edu

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