SAIC Tests RAD Systems with IS4S North Alabama Range Team
The IS4S team at the North Alabama Range was honored to collaborate with SAIC to conduct field-testing for two of their Reconfigurable Air Defense (RAD) systems on separate vehicle platforms. The primary objectives of this effort were to validate system performance and to understand the physical effects of live‑fire operations on the weapon, host vehicle, and personnel operating in or near the platform.
SAIC developed the vehicle packages and systems used in the demonstration, including a 30mm RAD 6 sled and a .50‑caliber RAD 4 sled. Testing included live‑fire shots from both systems while mounted on a new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). This event also marked the first‑ever integration and live fire of a 30mm system on an ISV. Bret Kortie, chief engineer, explained that a key feature of these newly developed RAD sleds is their ability to be vehicle‑agnostic, enabling soldiers to reconfigure them as needed while in the field.
IS4S provided engineering analysis, data collection, live‑fire support, and the physical test environment. The weapon systems were fired into the backstop of the north blasting pit—once a chalk mine and now a versatile proving area ideal for controlled testing. “The North Alabama Range is perfectly equipped for these types of demonstrations,” said Zac Shotts, IS4S vice president and site lead. “The combination of our location, range assets, and highly skilled engineers enable our partners and customers to custom design any tests needed with confidence in the execution.”
The test campaign was carefully designed to capture data essential for assessing vehicle and weapon platform performance under live‑fire conditions. The evaluation focused on three key areas:
Vehicle dynamic response – measuring suspension displacement, pitch, and oscillation during firing.
Acoustic impact profiling – capturing noise levels generated by the weapon systems.
Mechanical structural integrity – assessing stress and fatigue on the RAD structural frame.
As weapon systems continue to increase in caliber and rate of fire, understanding how this energy transfers into the host vehicle is critical from both a performance and safety standpoint. Insights gained from this testing will inform system design improvements, integration approaches, and future demonstrations.
For more information about this live‑fire test or to learn more about the capabilities and availability of the North Alabama Range, please contact NorthAlabamaRange@is4s.com.