On June 1st, Parsons Corporation will host an event to commemorate the delivery of the first of 13 Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO), plus an additional three ZEUS laser neutralization systems, to the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
Delivering direct support capability to the Air Force Resilient Basing Operational Imperative, RADBO consists of three main components: a mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, Parsons’ developed ZEUS® directed energy system, and an interrogation arm assembly.
Together, the system provides Air Force explosive ordnance personnel improved safety by allowing destruction of unexploded ordnance from the interior of the MRAP at distances that can exceed 300 meters in optimal conditions.
Initially a Parsons’ protype that leverages more than 25 years of experience in directed energy ordnance neutralization, the ZEUS® fiber laser is now powerful enough to detonate small submunitions from cluster bombs, land mines, general purpose bombs, and thick-cased artillery rounds.
The ZEUS® system has been designed, developed, fabricated, produced, and tested for any operational theater. It is fully MIL qualified (Hi and Low Temp, EMI, Blowing Sand/ Dust, Rain, Fog, and Road Course) and while deployed completed more than 2,000 miles of travel on deteriorated roads without failure. The system consists of a multi-kilowatt-class laser, beam director, operator’s station, and all support subsystems that are self-contained on a single vehicle.
The speakers for the event are currently listed to include Shane Hegarty, Vice President, Integration and Production Directorate for Parsons, Dr. John Olive, Deputy, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), USAF Civil Engineering/Air Force EOD Subject Matter Expert, Congressman Dale Strong, and Mayor Tommy Battle.
“RADBO, armed with ZEUS®, is a paradigm shift in explosive ordnance disposal technology that allows for precision threat neutralization at the speed of light,” said James Lackey, senior vice president, Mission Solutions for Parsons in a recent press release. “The out-of-the-box solutions employed by Parsons to deliver mission-focused solutions that improve the safety of our nation’s warfighters speaks to our core values of safety, quality, and innovation.”Tags:City of Huntsville, Parsons Corporation, U.S. Air Force, USAF