As the Air Force continues to prepare for future threats, part of that process involves research and testing of new technologies that need to be employed in order to meet future needs. One area within the Civil Engineering community that is undergoing a heavy modernization program is Airfield Damage Repair or ADR. ADR Modernization is a transition away from the philosophy of Rapid Runway Repair “RRR” concepts from the Cold War era in which the threat was a few large general purpose bomb craters repaired during a base recovery after attack (BRAAT) scenario. The bigger ADR concern in today’s operating environment is the need to respond to many sub-munitions that will produce multiple smaller craters or spalls spread out over a larger portion of the airfield. Personnel and equipment need to be leaner in order to properly respond to and make repairs for this more likely scenario. New, better performing materials also need to be researched and tested that will provide high-quality repairs regardless of the lack of quality construction materials in many deployed environments.

Some of the research and testing that is currently ongoing include the development of a next-generation rapid parking ramp expansion mat termed the AM-X that will replace the AM-2 aluminum mat. The new mat is to be thinner and lighter than the current mat while meeting better performance criteria when placed under F-15 and C-17 load carts. The new proto-type mats will use new materials, internal structure, and joint designs to improve performance with a thinner section and lighter weight, which will decrease airlift requirements. Another example of a technology that is emerging is a new automated airfield damage assessment procedure using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or micro-air vehicle. The UAV will be equipped with an imaging sensor package that can fly over the airfield and collect damage data and location on GPS integrated maps, which can be instantaneously fed back to the command and control center for making decisions. This technology will provide more accurate information in a shorter time without putting personnel and equipment in danger to hazards such as unexploded ordinance. Finally, material improvements such as pelletized asphalt, polymeric spall repair material testing criteria, expandable foams, and criteria on evaluating stabilized airfield surfaces are just some of the many examples of several smaller research projects that comprise the overall ADR modernization effort.