CHIANG MAI, Kingdom of Thailand -- Contractors from 14 organizations are showcasing 20 different technologies with live-trial demonstrations and static displays at various locations in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2011 participants.
The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Experimentation Center, has organized the technology fair for the past six years, said Chris Breault, coordinator and sales associate with the center.
It is a great opportunity to come and demonstrate firsthand with the Marines and get direct, hon-est feedback on scene, said Bryan D. Schmid, the president of Atlas Devices.
Atlas devices is presenting the Atlas Power Ascender, a rope-enabled tool that allows reverse rappelling for military personnel to assist in transport of troops or equipment.
Contractors presenting equipment this year have multiple spectrums of technology allowing in-terest from all military personnel, said Breault. There are presentations for all ranks, such as gear for Marines to use in the field and programs for a command to use in the rear.
Our main goal is to expose participants to real-world applications of products and for developers to receive a true picture of what the operator likes and dislikes, said Breault.
The experimentation center also supports exercises Balikatan and Talisman Saber. At the conclu-sion of this exercise, developers return to the lab and work in all feedback to make the product military-friendly and provide a better working product for next year.
It was because of feedback in 2008 that has allowed developers to create the (Atlas Power As-cender) model being tested this year, said Schmid.
Cobra Gold provides unique and dynamic training opportunities for participating military part-ners, while also maintaining and improving military-to-military relationships among the United States, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia.
For more information and photos about Cobra Gold, visit www.marines.mil/cobragold or www.facebook.com/exercisecobragold.