Stratom awarded US Army contract to develop autonomous decontamination system
Stratom, a developer of autonomous robotic systems for defence applications, has been awarded a US Army contract to develop the "Autonomous Decontamination System" (ADS), a robotic platform designed to modernise CBRN washdown operations in contested environments.
According to a press release published by Stratom, "current decontamination processes have remained largely unchanged for decades and often require soldiers to operate close to potentially contaminated vehicles and equipment".
These labour-intensive procedures can increase exposure risk, slow operational recovery and drive significant water and decontaminant consumption."
Stratom’s ADS will address those challenges by enabling remote and autonomous operation during critical phases of decontamination. By improving repeatability and reducing the need for numerous passes common in manual washdown, the system will reduce overall time and resource use, while accelerating return-to-service timelines.
"Decontamination is a mission-critical capability, but it’s also one of the most dangerous and resource-intensive tasks soldiers may be required to perform," said Mark Gordon, president and CEO of Stratom. "This contract applies Stratom’s proven autonomy and robotics expertise to help remove soldiers from hazardous areas, improve consistency and support faster return to mission readiness."
Multiple operational modes
The ADS is being developed to support multiple operational modes, including remote operation, semi-autonomous operation and autonomous mission execution. These options will allow units to select the appropriate balance of human oversight and automation based on mission conditions, while maintaining standoff distance from contaminated assets.
Stratom is developing ADS using a modular open systems approach and a product development cycle guided by model-based systems engineering, supporting upgradeability, long-term sustainment and adaptability as mission requirements evolve. The company is also using technologies proven through previous military programmes, including RAPID, an autonomous refuelling, recharging and liquid transfer system that integrates robotic manipulation, sensing, motion planning and fluid handling in demanding operational environments.
Stratom adds that the effort could have implications beyond the US Army, with potential applications for navy, air rorce and marine corps units. The effort also aligns with Project Vista, an initiative by the US Army aimed at bridging the gap between small business innovation and actual fielded capability.
"Modernising decontamination is about giving operators standoff distance while delivering repeatable coverage and more efficient use of water and decontaminant," said Ryan Del Gizzi, vice president of engineering at Stratom. "By leveraging autonomy, sensing and motion-planning capabilities matured through prior Department of Defense programmes, ADS is intended to provide flexible control options and enable operations in hazardous conditions."
