Army Showcases SmarTrucks at Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit In Huntsville, Alabama May 27-29

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 22 -- The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's National Automotive Center (NAC) will showcase their latest technology, SmarTruck demonstration vehicles, here at the Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit meeting, May 27, 2003-29, 2003.

The SmarTruck program provides the Army with a platform to test, integrate and showcase cutting-edge vehicle technologies for both military and commercial applications. The SmarTruck project puts advanced technology directly into the hands of our nation's defenders and first responders.

SmarTruck I, a concept vehicle, was developed in 2001 to support multiple contingencies, mainly covert operations, including embassy protection, personal protection, diplomatic extraction and peacekeeping missions. SmarTruck II, built on a Chevrolet Silverado platform, was introduced in January of this year. This multi-purpose prototype vehicle is capable of both counterterrorism support and homeland security for a variety of community service and humanitarian aid missions.

The technology-laden SmarTruck II introduces several new electronic and communications technologies, including a POINTER remotely controlled electric Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV), advanced SPIKE pinpoint laser-guided missile, 360- degree video cameras, four integrated state-of-the-art global communications systems, and a unique hyperbolic interactive website for data acquisition.

"The latest version in the program is SmarTruck II, a unique multi-purpose vehicle engineered to meet a myriad of challenges facing local, state and federal agencies today," said Dennis J. Wend, executive director of the NAC. "If you don't know exactly what you need, what's the next best thing? A modular vehicle that can become anything you want it to be. There is a definite need for SmarTruck in our nation's future.

"The Army continues to work with industry and academia to research and develop technologies that the soldier of the 21st century will use to be more responsive, deployable and agile," continued Wend, who will address the summit participants on Wednesday, May 28. "Partnerships like the one with the Tennessee Valley Corridor provide a forum for government, academia and industry to exchange ideas and build beneficial relationships."

The NAC is the Army's official link to commercial industry, academia and government in developing important new dual-use automotive technologies that meet the needs of both the defense and commercial industries. The goal is to create vehicles that improve performance, safety and endurance while reducing design, manufacturing, operations, and maintenance costs. In order to develop vehicles that meet these objectives, the NAC establishes partnerships with industry and academia.

The Tennessee Valley Corridor, which strategically links southwest Virginia, the Tennessee Technology Corridor in East Tennessee and Northern Alabama, combines a superior quality of life with the people, business, natural and scientific resources needed to create a unique and fertile region for high-tech research and development.

For more information and downloadable photographs of SmarTruck, please visit, http://www.techmarketing.brtrc.com/go/smartruck