Alion tapped for rapid technology work

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MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted for support in assessing commercial and government off-the-shelf technologies to rapidly meet the needs of soldiers in combat.

Alion Science and Technology said that under the $30 million contract from the Army Rapid Equipping Force, it will conduct engineering, reliability and risk assessments -- as well as operational tests in a combat environment -- of COTS and GOTS technologies.

The assessments and testing would be completed within 6-9 months from when the U.S. Central Command sends an urgent requirement request to the REF, which is an organization charged with meeting capability needs of deployed troops quickly.

Central Command, which has headquarters in Florida, is responsible for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

"Alion's ability to identify and assess leading-edge technology is critical to closing the capability gaps faced by warfighters," said Chris Amos, Alion senior vice president and manager of its Technology Solutions Group.

"We will reach out to the military, industrial, academic and scientific communities to find existing and emerging solutions.

"Whether these technologies are off-the-shelf or still in the latter stages of development, our team of experts will recommend the systems that can best support warfighters in combat."

The contract is for three years.