The Army Futures Command (AFC) and the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) recently announced an agreement to team on a partnership of electronic technologies for their advancement for the electronic battlefield. As part of the agreement, TAMUS will provide as much as $65 million over five years in support of new technologies to modernize the U.S. Army Futures Command.
“This partnership with the Texas A&M University System will ensure we have the best and the brightest working to address rapidly evolving threats and maintain our strategic advantage around the world,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.), a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees. The Senator unveiled the details during a press conference with General John “Mike” Murray and Chancellor John Sharp. The investment includes $50 million from the Texas Legislature during the 2019 session for establishing an “Innovative Proving Ground” at the 2000-acre Research & Educational Facility (RELLIS) Campus in Bryan, Tex.
As Murray explains, this is the first step in a long-term partnership: “Army Futures Command is excited to continue our collaboration with various partners in Texas to successfully modernize our Army. The work conducted at the TAMUS RELLIS Campus in the coming years will directly impact our soldiers’ readiness, equipment, and capabilities.” The new facility will include a 1-km-long linear accelerator tunnel to test roadways, directed-energy applications, and other electronic subsystems.
“The Texas A&M System is already contributing significantly to our nation’s defense with our duties helping manage the Los Alamos National Laboratory,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “We are proud that Army Futures Command has chosen to work with us on their important mission.” It is hoped that the linear accelerator can help towards the advancement of next-generation vehicles, including autonomous vehicles.
