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thedrifter
04-14-07, 06:48 AM
USMC adds diagnostic module to tanks

Published: April 12, 2007 at 1:08 PM

PARSIPPANY, N.J., , April 13, 2007 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marines will be installing an embedded diagnostics system aboard all of its main battle tanks in a move to slash maintenance down time.

The Corps issued a $14 million contract to DRS Technologies for its Sidecar Embedded Diagnostic Kits that will be delivered starting immediately.

"The Sidecar is targeted for installation on the entire fleet of USMC tanks and reflects our customer's commitment to the long-term sustainability of its heavy ground combat fleet," DRS' Michael Sheehan said Thursday.

Sidecar has been used by the Army for its M1A1 Abrams tanks and by the Marines in other vehicles as a means of sniffing out developing electrical problems. U.S. vehicles are increasingly wired for networking at the same time they are experiencing wear and tear in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters.

Sidecar monitors the various signals running through the tank and feeds the information into a high-speed data processor that provides a real-time look at the health of the electrical system. DRS said the system fits in the palm of the hand and has its own power supply, which allows it to function even when the rest of the vehicle is shut down.

DRS in Huntsville, Ala., will produce the kits under the contract that was issued on behalf of the Marines by the Army Tanks and Automotive Command.

Ellie