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Spider is under development at Textron Systems and ATK
under the Objective Force anti-personnel component program. The
system is designed to protect friendly forces and shape the
battlefield while minimizing risk to friendly troops and
non-combatants. In January 2005 the US Army decided to accelerate
fielding of the Matrix remote munitions control system, which is a
lead-in version to the Spider. The Army awarded ATK Twenty-five
Matrix systems to be delivered to U.S. forces and deployed in Iraq
by June 2005. Matrix is a portable, reusable, soldier-in-the-loop
system that can be used in either a lethal, or a non-lethal mode.
The program is managed by Project Manager Close Combat Systems and
the U.S. Army Armaments, Research, Development and Engineering
Center (ARDEC).
The Spider's Munition Control Unit (MCU) is a pedestal fitted with
six munitions launchers each covering a sector of 60 degrees, and a
communications module which links the Spider with its remote
operator. The MCU communicates with the Remote Control Unit (RCU) by
direct wireless link, or via field communications repeaters. On
operator command, the Spider autonomously deploys trip wires
corresponding to each sector. When a trip wire is activated, a
signal is sent from the sensing MCU to the Remote Control Unit (RCU).
Based on that signal, the operator's own observation of
the field, and other situational awareness and guidance from the
chain of command, the operator can direct the detonation of the
grenades associated with the trip wire detection. The operator may
delay this action, to allow more intruders to penetrate further into
the kill-zone and deploy multiple charges for maximum effect.
Munitions include self-activated grenades, operator activated
claymores or various non-lethal munitions. The MCU is powered by a
replaceable battery and can sustain continuous operation for 30
days. The system can be recovered and replenished with new grenades
after an engagement. The Spider can be deactivated on command, to
enable safe recovery or passage of friendly forces. The RCU uses a
rugged laptop computer equipped with a touch screen to provide full
control of an area up to 1,500 meters deep. Each RCU enables the
monitoring and activation of a single or multiple charges.
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