AFRL Assists in User Evaluation of Vehicle Inspection System

  • Published
  • By Heyward Burnette
  • AFRL/RX
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL engineers traveled to Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska, to assist in the user evaluation of the Mobile Under-Vehicle Inspection System (MUVIS), a system designed to reduce the danger military personnel face while performing under-vehicle searches for explosives. MUVIS allows its operator to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle being inspected. This capability enables personnel to get a direct, close-up view of vehicles without being placed in a potentially dangerous situation.

Developed under a contract with Kachemak Research Development (KRD), Homer, Alaska, and managed by AFRL engineers, MUVIS consists of metal ramps, a high-resolution camera, and a laptop computer. Vehicles drive directly onto the ramps, and the camera (which is mounted between the skids of these ramps) moves the length of the vehicle, photographing its undercarriage. The inspection system operator, who can remain at a distance of his or her choosing, uses the laptop to review the resulting high-resolution images. As necessary, the operator can zoom in on any part of the undercarriage that requires closer inspection.

The team conducting the system evaluation at Elmendorf AFB comprised AFRL engineers, active duty personnel from the 3rd Security Forces Squadron, and personnel from the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Crane Division. Engineers from AFRL and KRD first trained the squadron and division personnel on MUVIS operation; these trained users then provided feedback geared towards system improvement. During the evaluation, MUVIS scanned and imaged 223 vehicles with no system failures. Thus far, system performance has surpassed all expectations.

AFRL and KRD engineers documented all suggestions and observations. In the future, the program will focus on the development of a similarly intended Large-Vehicle Inspection System, with the team that evaluated MUVIS most likely evaluating that future system as well.