AUSA 2021: High Tech, Big Tech

Bruce A. Bennett, Editor, Aerospace & Defense Technology

WASHINGTON, DC — One of the most impressive things about a trade show like the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition is not just the technology on display, but the size of the technology on display.

For example, the General Dynamics Land Systems booth housed both their TRX 10 Ton Tracked Robot and their enormous Katalyst Tech Demonstrator, a tracked vehicle about the size of a battle tank.

AUSA 2021, General Dynamics’ Katalyst Tech Demonstrator. — General Dynamics’ Katalyst Tech Demonstrator. (Image Credit: Bennett)

One aisle away, Lockheed Martin was showing off its Sentinel A4 Mobile Radar System and Sikorsky’s new Raider X Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft .

AUSA 2021, Sikorsky’s new Raider X Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. — Sikorsky’s new Raider X Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. (Image Credit: Bennett)

Elbit Systems of America had one of their mobile command and control centers on display, mounted on an Oshkosh truck platform, and if you’re familiar with Oshkosh, they don’t build anything small…or light.

AUSA 2021, One of Elbit’s mobile command and control centers mounted on an Oshkosh truck platform. — One of Elbit’s mobile command and control centers mounted on an Oshkosh truck platform. (Image Credit: Bennett)

Not far from them, Textron Systems was displaying a formidable looking Ripsaw M5 tracked weapon system , while Bell Helicopters had both their 360 Invictus and V-280 Valor Future Long Range Assault Aircraft on display for attendees to check out.

AUSA 2021, The Textron Systems Ripsaw M5 — The Textron Systems Ripsaw M5 (Image Credit: Bennett)

AUSA 2021, The Bell Helicopters V-280 Valor Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. — The Bell Helicopters V-280 Valor Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. (Image Credit: Bennett)

Across the aisle from Bell Helicopters was a Lenco Bear Cat G4 Light Armored Vehicle . Just steps away was the Rafael USA booth where they were showing off one of their heavily armored combat vehicles in what looked like a mobile command center configuration.

AUSA 2021, Lenco Bear Cat G4 Light Armored Vehicle. — Lenco Bear Cat G4 Light Armored Vehicle. (Image Credit: Bennett)

AUSA 2021, One of Rafael USA’s heavily armored combat vehicles. — One of Rafael USA’s heavily armored combat vehicles. (Image Credit: Bennett)

GMP brought one of their Nora-B52 self-propelled 155mm howitzers, while the Australian Government Department of Defense had one of their new Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft boats on display.

AUSA 2021, GMP’s Nora-B52 self-propelled 155mm howitzer — GMP’s Nora-B52 self-propelled 155mm howitzer (Image Credit: Bennett)

AUSA 2021, The Australian Government Department of Defense brought one of their new Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft to display. — The Australian Government Department of Defense brought one of their new Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft to display. (Image Credit: Bennett)

Now, want to hear the most impressive part? All of this massive equipment was being displayed on the UPPER level of the convention center. Remember that news footage of the recent condo collapse in Florida? I’d be lying if I said they didn’t run through my mind once or twice while I was going to meetings and walking the show floor on the lower levels.

There are a lot of amazing buildings in Washington, DC, but from a purely engineering perspective, it’s hard to top the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

See photos from Day 1 of AUSA 2021.