U.S. Army

#33: PODS and RAIL: Versatile ramp system aids expedient deployment of military equipment

November 18, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering, Power of ERDC 0:31:18 0 Comments

ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier. The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be used…

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Video: #33: PODS and RAIL

November 18, 2025 Christopher Kieffer video podcasts Comments Off on Video: #33: PODS and RAIL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9zcCgFL07U ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier. The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be…

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Podcast Resources: #33: PODS and RAIL

November 18, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Podcast resources Comments Off on Podcast Resources: #33: PODS and RAIL

ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier.   The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can…

Read More

#33: PODS and RAIL: Versatile ramp system aids expedient deployment of military equipment

November 18, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering, Podcast episodes 0:31:18 Comments Off on #33: PODS and RAIL: Versatile ramp system aids expedient deployment of military equipment

ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier. The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be used…

Read More

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#32: Muddy: A mapping robot for extreme environments

April 8, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Geospatial Research and Engineering, Power of ERDC 0:38:50 0 Comments

A low-cost unmanned ground vehicle capable of producing 3D maps, the Muddy robot has solved a variety of mapping challenges since 2017. Developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Muddy is often used to test more expansive robotic platforms and to enable other projects. Its combination of autonomous navigation, affordability and…

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#32: Muddy: A mapping robot for extreme environments

April 8, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Geospatial Research and Engineering, Podcast episodes 0:38:50 Comments Off on #32: Muddy: A mapping robot for extreme environments

A low-cost unmanned ground vehicle capable of producing 3D maps, the Muddy robot has solved a variety of mapping challenges since 2017. Developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Muddy is often used to test more expansive robotic platforms and to enable other projects. Its combination of autonomous navigation, affordability and…

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#28: Advanced manufacturing: Using 3D printing, new materials and optimized designs to produce large-scale components

May 1, 2024 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Power of ERDC 0:52:43 0 Comments

As America’s civil works infrastructure facilities age beyond their initial design lives, so do the thousands of individual components that keep them functioning. These original components were often fabricated using vintage material and manufacturing methods, making them costly, burdensome and time-consuming to replicate. However, if one of these parts were to suddenly break, that failure…

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#28: Advanced manufacturing: Using 3D printing, new materials and optimized designs to produce large-scale components

May 1, 2024 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Podcast episodes 0:52:43 Comments Off on #28: Advanced manufacturing: Using 3D printing, new materials and optimized designs to produce large-scale components

As America’s civil works infrastructure facilities age beyond their initial design lives, so do the thousands of individual components that keep them functioning. These original components were often fabricated using vintage material and manufacturing methods, making them costly, burdensome and time-consuming to replicate. However, if one of these parts were to suddenly break, that failure…

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#27: RAIL: Making it easier to transport armored vehicles to austere locations

October 30, 2023 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering 0:36:19 0 Comments

Despite modern transportation advancements, rail remains a superior method for moving heavy military equipment over vast inland distances. However, transporting tanks by train requires railyard facilities with specialized equipment capable of moving the armored vehicles onto and off of the rail cars. In response, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) developed the…

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#27: RAIL: Making it easier to transport armored vehicles to austere locations

October 30, 2023 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering, Podcast episodes, Uncategorized 0:36:19 Comments Off on #27: RAIL: Making it easier to transport armored vehicles to austere locations

Despite modern transportation advancements, rail remains a superior method for moving heavy military equipment over vast inland distances. However, transporting tanks by train requires railyard facilities with specialized equipment capable of moving the armored vehicles onto and off of the rail cars. In response, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) developed the…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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