unclassified - Air Force Financial Management & Comptroller

BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION (EXHIBIT P-40)
UNCLASSIFIED
DATE:
FEBRUARY 2002
APPROP CODE/BA:
OPAF/OTHER BASE MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
P-1 NOMENCLATURE:
AIR BASE OPERABILITY
FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006 FY2007
QUANTITY
COST
(in Thousands)
$2,921 $5,942 $5,700 $5,670 $5,655 $5,643 $5,633
Description:
1. Air Base Operability (ABO), a subset of Agile Combat Support, provides integrated capabilities to support aircraft deployment, launch,
recovery and regeneration at air bases worldwide. The ABO and Air Force Civil Engineering Readiness top priorities are to safely perform
reconnaissance, locate and neutralize unexploded ordnance (UXO) and accomplish damage assessment. Force protection capabilities, including
explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations, have become increasingly vital in protecting personnel, aircraft and other critical resources, both
at home and abroad. In addition to wartime operations, EOD supports global contingencies for force protection, relief efforts, and special
operations. ABO capabilities provided by robotics programs are crucial in reducing time and danger when investigating and eliminating
explosive hazards.
A. All-purpose Remote Transport System (ARTS) is a low cost survivable platform capable of remote operations at distances of up to
three miles. ARTS was designed as a delivery platform for further development of detector, sensor and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
tools. Air Force Wright Laboratory developed this multi-purpose tool under the direction/funding of the OST Joint Robotics Program. OST
through Wright Laboratory worked with a vendor to take initial prototypes of this tool directly from the laboratory to the field. Reference
Program Element 64617F of the Air Force Research and Development (R&D) Descriptive Summaries.
B. ARTS Attachments/EOD Support Equipment dramatically improves response time when neutralizing explosive hazards, thus saving
lives and reducing damage. The Navy Explosive Ordnance Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) is the OSD Executive Agent for joint
service EOD R&D. Production funding is provided by individual services (reference PE 64617F of the Air Force R&D Descriptive
Summaries). The Air Force requires the following equipment for the safety of deployed personnel and expedient removal of unexploded
ordnance hazards. The following procurements are programmed during FY02-03:
P-1 ITEM NO PAGE NO:
83
55
UNCLASSIFIED
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