|
American Agility, in its mission of innovation with our troops, supports a far-reaching program in soldier agility developed over 6 years, originating in extreme mobility for our disability community. This program’s development prior to 9/11 was recognized as meeting needs identified by Mogadishu and “Black Hawk Down”. Prototypes were advanced by Integrated Vision utilizing a team of key industry and Detroit resources, in interaction with our Special Operations Forces. Evolution of the core units opened advances in agility of maneuver and networked remote operation within urban engagement, and expansion of this modular platform for multi-mission and multi-environment capabilities.
In short, the resulting Jake™ is seen as the soldier’s 2,800 lb. ‘horse’ for agile maneuver of over 2,000 lbs of heavy gear, IED jammers, sniper sensors, 3-D mapping, Dazzler lights, secondary robots, communications, batteries, weapons, ammo and  ballistic protection into the alleys. Rapidly adapted into a wide variety of mission configurations (2WD, 4WD, 6WD and on tracks), it brings together today’s technology and the talent of today’s ‘video-gamer’ Soldier.
 The Jake™ Platform is modular logistics of robotics, UAV intel and networked systems integrated with the way our soldiers think and move. Prototypes of this agile new Jake™ Soldier/Robotics platform and concepts of its networked system already serve as a catalyst bringing forward bold innovation with our young soldiers and their defense technology counterparts. These illustrate how we can get our dismounted Soldiers better protection on patrol, dispersing the targets we present to our enemy, reducing use of predictable routes and providing greater abilities in rapidly cordoning off areas and blocking the enemy from sneaking out the back door. It offers a kinder face in intelligence gathering and winning of hearts and minds, yet with greater capabilities at hand to take a defensive posture rapidly into a decidedly offensive operation.
It is agreed that this platform is a giant step in amplifying soldier agility in close quarters, yet the US military is challenged in program movement because of the platform being so different from existing written requirements.
Operation American Agility believes there is a way to break through and fund fielding and integration that can move rapidly, free to link the mindset of our young Soldier and Marines with this new combination of today’s technologies. Our young tech savvy “gamer” soldier is our “secret weapon”. Being brought up on video games and using computers since kindergarten, they have new talents and ways of looking at things. We understand that this new combination of technologies is intuitive to our young soldiers, it fits the way they think and the opportunities are great.
One of the best teams in America is in place for action; proven leaders in innovation, mixing experience from across a wide range of technologies, and the result of open freedom of innovation with our young soldiers will be new  philosophies of engagement and tactical operations. General A.M. Gray, former Commandant of the US Marine Corps, said, “... when these get in the hands of our young Corporals and Sergeants, they will think of a 100 things you have not thought of”. This is exactly the reason for American Agility. It is to give them this opportunity.
|
