U.S. Army Gun-Monitoring RFID Prototype Gets Upgrade

Sometime next year, Esposito says, Augusta and Benét Laboratories intend to transition to a handheld RFID interrogator that has more features and can be carried to the tank to capture data, then send that data wirelessly. The data itself will be routed from the interrogator to an Army PC, and Augusta's SensorBridge software will direct that data to the Army's back-end system, as well as to the PC screen for review by weapons maintenance staff. Personnel can also input environmental conditions that might affect the operation of the weapon, such as hot weather and sand, which could influence the ultimate determination as to when the weapon requires its next servicing.

The system is expected to be in use by the U.S. Army by the fall of 2008, Esposito says. In the meantime, researchers at Augusta and Benét Laboratories intend to increase the durability of the tags, which attach to the barrel of the weapon, allowing them to better withstand harsh operating environments. This ruggedization, he notes, can be achieved by encasing the tag in packaging or enclosure materials designed to endure environmental extremes. "So, the emphasis will be more on the packaging or enclosure than the sensor or RFID tag." The partners also hope to migrate the platform, he says, making versions of the system for other vehicles or branches of the military.

"Obviously," says Esposito, "we're very proud that Bénet Labs and our team were able to put the system together so quickly." He predicts the RFID system will increase operational efficiency for the Army, while also reducing the risk of a misfire.

Over the next few months, Bénet and Augusta researchers intend to test additional sensors that would measure the intensity of the applied force, heat, vibration and other physical effects on a gun barrel. Their goal is to integrate such sensors into tags the Army will start using in 2008.