© 2010 Life Cycle Engineering, Inc. | www.
LCE.com
1
LCE Supports the Development of a Joint
Explosive Ordinance Decision Support
System That Helps Soldiers Identify and
Disarm Bombs
As explosives technologies have become increasingly adaptive and ubiquitous,
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians across all branches of the
military have called for a rapid, reliable, and secure source of information on
identifying and disarming bombs. Since the initial formalization of bomb disposal
services during World War II, the EOD community has become a highly
specialized group of warfighters serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and throughout the
world. These warfighters require a re-envisioning of information design
customized to their evolving needs.
Because total situational awareness can mean life or death in an instant, EOD
technicians rely on up-to-date information from the field, particularly from one
another. For them, a uni-directional flow of data is inadequate. They need a
thriving, collaborative body of information designed for their benefit and
contribution, one supported by a system that is both fast and secure. Toward
meeting that demand, government and industry leaders developed the Joint
Explosive Ordnance Decision Support System (JEOD DSS), a research,
development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative aimed at creating a
source of EOD Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). Meeting user
requirements proved to be challenging, as EOD work is simultaneously very
specific and very fluid. Early iterations of the decision support system were
modified from the original concept while other elements were discarded entirely
as EOD technicians indicated what would and would not work in the field.
With an ear to the EOD community and innovative support from Life Cycle
Engineering, the JEOD DSS evolved into its current form, which consists of:
•
the JEOD Portal, a rapid and secure net-centric source of information
that technicians can use to prepare for
ordnance disposal missions
•
the JEODNet, a network supporting the Portal and operating among
several nodes in geographical locations.
•
Mobile Field Kits (MFKs), durable laptops containing EOD information
software designed for use in the war theater.
Success Story
POINTS OF INTEREST
PAGE 1:
The Situation
The Challenges
The Approach
PAGE 2:
The Results
About Life Cycle Engineering
The Challenges
The Situation
The Approach
© 2010 Life Cycle Engineering, Inc. | www.
LCE.com
2
User-centered enhancements to the JEODDSS program have propelled it from
an RDT&E initiative to a Low Rate Initial Production project on the cusp of a Full
Rate Production Phase. During this successful transition from life cycle
development to agile delivery, the JEODDSS initiative:
•
Developed consistent solutions to complex technical problems, which
helped the project reach Milestone B, making it a Program of Record
(PoR), and Milestone C, which initiated the program’s Low Rate Initial
Production (LRIP) phase.
•
Implemented system integrity across the JEODNET, including nodes of
disparate geographical locations
•
Acted as a service provider to the program of several competencies
including engineering,
integration,
validation,
and operational support
•
Developed in-house tools to promote efficiencies across the EOD
community
•
Adapted principles to ensure security practices were bred into the
product and its maintenance of data
•
Provided a validation and testing center of competence for the program
•
Designed a complete technical refresh including reliance upon a solid
virtual platform
•
Collaborated efforts across different NAVAL competency centers in
multiple geographic locations
•
Performed above and beyond program expectations, including overall
support for the project during external facing events
•
Supported cross-functional and cross-team work groups to push toward
one common goal
About LCE
Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) is a leading provider of reliability consulting, engineering
services, and applied technology solutions that help both government and private
enterprises achieve sustainable success. Widely recognized as the premier provider of
innovative and successfully executed reliability and maintenance solutions worldwide,
areas of focus for LCE include: design and engineering, logistics support, information
technology applications, program management, change management, education, and
holistic implementations of Reliability Excellence (Rx). Founded in 1976, LCE is
headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina with offices across North America.
The Results