The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) hosted officials from the Chilean Army from Sept. 24-26. The exchange was designed to discuss science and technology capabilities and explore potential collaboration between the two countries.
The Chilean officers toured RDECOM’s three research and engineering centers at Aberdeen Proving Ground: the Army Research Laboratory, known as ARL; Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC).
The group received briefings at ECBC on the center’s efforts in toxicology, genomics, decontamination sciences, and its Advanced Design and Manufacturing Prototype Integration Facility.
“Chemical and biological defense is a national priority because there are still nations that have chemical and biological weapons,” said Joseph Corriveau, Director of ECBC’s Research and Technology Directorate. “What you will see today is incredible laboratory infrastructure and world-class scientists. It is a policy of the president, the Department of Defense and Army to value relationships with other countries. We are open to any discussions on working together in chemical and biological defense.”
During the visit, an agreement was signed by both parties indicating intent to work together in areas such as unmanned aerial systems; vehicle performance; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense; extreme environments technology; and modeling and simulation. The agreement is not legally binding but allows for proposals for science and technology cooperation under the 2012 United States-Chile Defense Consultative Commission.
RDECOM regularly partners with foreign universities, militaries and industry through its Forward Element Commands in Chile, England and Japan as well as International Technology Centers.
Source: U.S. Army
