4D Tech Solutions, LLC.
401 10th Street
Fairmont, WV 26554

541611/541618: Management Consulting Services

541690: Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

4D leveraged ten years of MEMS LiDAR research and development at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to design and deliver a high-resolution LiDAR system - the RTL-450 – to government and commercial customers. 4D licensed the LiDAR technology from ARL, and in a two-year period, transitioned the ARL technology from a benchtop prototype to a commercialized product.

The MEMS mirror-based LiDAR technology provides unsurpassed performance for a wide range of end user applications.High point density and superior target resolution allow advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms development and integration that will drive the future of autonomous systems operations.

The first platform integration of the RTL-450 LiDAR system was onto a UAV to allow 3D mapping of the ground and objects on the surface of the earth.4D’s license with ARL covers all manned and unmanned vehicle applications as well as surveillance.4D is actively expanding its LiDAR product offerings, including the development of a subsea LiDAR system for unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and the development of a long-range high-resolution 3D imaging system for unmanned ground vehicles.

The MEMS mirror-based LiDAR products can be found at the 

 website. RedTail LiDAR is a 4D company division.

Unmanned Systems

UAV LiDAR

4D’s Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) – named the MRV-1 – uses a custom-built miniature hydraulic power unit (HPU) to power a 5 Degree-of-Freedom manipulator that can lift over 50 pounds. The 275-pound UGV can traverse rough terrain and steeply inclined surfaces, including stairways. The UGV is designed to be washed down with high-pressure water to simplify decontamination if the vehicle is exposed to toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), chemical or biological agents, or radioactive contamination.

With an ethernet-based architecture, the UGV is designed to allow new sensors and payloads to be rapidly integrated to meet specific end-user needs. Four cameras provide complete situational awareness for an operator, allowing them to maneuver effectively through challenging operational environments. The MRV-1 can be used for EOD and highly dangerous situations to provide heavy lift and fine articulation to provide the utmost safety for operators and civilians.

A detailed description of the MRV-1 platform can be found on the 

 website. 4D Robotics is a 4D company division.

Unmanned Ground Vehicle

4D’s rapid prototyping capabilities enable us to quickly design, build, and test prototypes for research and development to assess form, fit, and function. Our high-end printers that embed carbon fiber filament into the polymer foundation material allow lightweight printed parts to be integrated into product designs. 4D Tech Solutions owns and operates a suite of rapid prototyping machines – ranging from CNC mills and laser cutters to eight 3D printers that can rapidly make parts with required material properties. In addition, 4D has developed strategic relationships with machine shops that can deliver complex 3D parts from materials ranging from polymer to titanium with a 2-day turnaround time. 4D also owns and operates the equipment needed to perform electronic circuit board rapid prototyping.

This equipment enables 4D to perform both additive and subtractive rapid prototyping activities in a variety of materials.4D’s capabilities include the design and fabrication of printed circuit boards. 4D’s in-house fabrication equipment allows 4D to populate, cure, reflow, and rework boards in prototype or batch applications. 4D’s in-house PCB design, populate, and reflow capabilities enable us to rapidly produce and test circuit boards for our customers. The electronics design and fabrication equipment – including a pick and place machine and reflow oven – have supported nearly all of the 4D projects that require custom circuit board integration.

Technology Development

Rapid Prototyping Equipment

4D supports the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s (NSWC) Densified Propellant for Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (DP-SMAW) development initiative. 4D supports rapid prototyping activities associated with the DP-SMAW test and evaluation and provides range support services to ensure the test fixtures and test enclosures are maintained in a continuous state of availability.

The DP-SMAW effort supports the Marine Corps’ need to provide a fire from enclosure (FFE) capability to the warfighter that meets the length, weight, and sound pressure level requirements for shoulder-launched weapons. To reduce the concussive effects of firing a SMAW from enclosed spaces, the Marine Corps is developing and evaluating alternative propellants and system designs that will result in minimal changes to the SMAW size and weight while retaining or improving the warhead penetration capabilities.

Test and Evaluation

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Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon

4D designed, built and installed a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) test fixture that allows for the measurement of performance characteristics of UAV-deployed LiDAR systems. The LiDAR test stand allows reflective targets to be installed at specified heights and locations on the test stand, with the target reflectivity being variable between 10% and 85%.

A survey marker installed next to the test stand serves as a benchmark for the comparison of data generated by LiDAR systems that are tested. Positional accuracy, range resolution and accuracy, and data points-per-square-meter – are critically important to validating a systems performance – can all be tested in a controlled fashion. This is the first test capability of its kind offered for LiDAR system test and evaluation.

LiDAR Test and Evaluation

4D Tech worked with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop an intelligent electronic speed control (iESC™) for UAVs. The rapid growth of the UAV market makes the ability to operate these systems in a safe and reliable manner increasingly important. 4D’s iESC™ significantly reduces the occurrence of loss of control accidents that could result in human injury and property loss (e.g. both the UAV and property impacted on the ground).

The iESC™ integrates advanced system health monitoring sensors and algorithms to identify failures before they occur. Neural networks have the ability “learn” the normal operating parameters for a UAV system; the trained neural net is then used to detect a wide variety of failure modes – including motor bearing failure, structural failure, and propeller damage – to alert an operator to the problem before a vehicle crash occurs.

The technology allows operators to maintain and operate their UAVs with confidence in their technology and keeping safety as the highest priority.

Intelligent Electronic Speed Control (iESC™)

4D’s Project Management, on behalf of the Army Research Lab (ARL), of the 

Special Operations Airborne Intelligence and Reconnaissance (SABIR)

 included oversight of engineering, integration, installation activities, and deployment of a roll-on/off system capable of hanging Multi-Mission Pods (MMPs) out of the paratroop doors of the C-130 (Model H, E and J) aircraft. The SABIR system by Airdyne leverages existing aircraft assets, does not require expensive aircraft modifications, can be installed on host aircraft in minutes, has no mission downtime for maintenance, allows rapid sensor swap, accommodates simultaneous missions, allows for pressurized flight, and the observer door provides unprecedented 360º field of view.

Project Management

Special Operations Airborne Intelligence and Reconnaissance

4D received a contract from Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to design and prototype the USV. 4D’s unmanned surface vehicle (USV) is a small (8 feet long), easily transported and deployed, a remote control system that is designed to lift and move objects of over 400 pounds in weight. The thrusters and winch are pneumatically operated to provide safety to divers that work alongside or near the USV. The low-cost platform design was achieved using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTs) components.

The system can be used not only for the lifting and salvage of potentially hazardous objects, but it can also be used for the deployment of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). If hazardous objects, such as unexploded ordnance or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are encountered, the USV allows for safe removal and the ability to be rendered safe without putting an operator in harm’s way. The given attributes make the USV an ideal solution for both commercial and government applications.

Unmanned Surface Vehicle

4D provided infrastructure planning, build-out and maintenance support for the Advanced Prototype and Experimentation (APEx) site at the U.S. Army’s Blossom Point Research Facility (BPRF). 4D provides maintenance support for all on-site equipment, including vehicles, communications equipment, security systems, lifting and handling equipment, machines and tools, and information technology systems. 4D oversaw the design of a 15,000 square foot facility that was planned to be used to support training and test and evaluation at BPRF.

Blossom Point Research Facility Infrastructure Planning and Development

Near Real Time Identity Operations (NRTIO)

 included oversight of engineering, integration, installation activities, and system deployment support. The NRTIO terrestrial communications network was designed and implemented under the requirements of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), Operational Directorate (CCJ3) Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) CCE-0008. The NRTIO provided the real-time capability to conduct identity operations using unclassified communications that deny potential adversaries from routinely migrating with anonymity throughout the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Near Real Time Identity Operations

4D’s Project Management, on behalf of the Army Research Lab (ARL), provided technical and management oversight of the 

 program across-agency interoperability, prototyping, hosting, systems engineering, security validation, and test and evaluation areas. The TA mobile platform defined the technical standards, for the Department of Defense’s mobile applications for the military. Examples include blue-force tracking, speech recognition, cultural training, human terrain mapping, mission planning, and biometrics. 4D’s support allowed the TA program to provide an unprecedented understanding of Warfighter, first responder, and law enforcement requirements and allowed real-time assessment of the application's utility to mission areas.

Transformative Applications

4D evaluated the physical properties and efficacy of BC3, Inc.’s S.E.A.L. blood coagulant product for battlefield treatment of warfighter wounds, including those from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bullets, and ordnance shrapnel. The product uses a specially formulated coagulant in a pressurized container to allow for application in difficult to reach locations. Gauze bandages that are traditionally used to treat wounds often fail to reach areas were the bleeding is occurring; the pressurized coagulant can be evenly applied to a wound site.

4D’s performance validation oversight and laboratory test and evaluation – to include shelf-life testing – will result in the delivery of an easy-to-use, effective product that will save lives on the battlefield when minutes count.

Wound Coagulant

4D tested and evaluated the ability of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles as a spray-on waterproofing solution to provide aftermarket waterproofing and fire protection to fabrics used in clothing, shelters and rucksacks.

In order to ensure the performance of the SiO2 product, 4D planned and executed a comprehensive set of tests in accordance with the protocol and methods recommended by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and also by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). Testing included: Water Repellency Spray Test; Water Resistance Rain Test; Water Resistance Impact Penetration Test; Absorbency; Aqueous Liquid Repellency, and; Standard Test Method for Flammability of Apparel Textiles. Testing included machine washing and drying of fabrics in accordance with AATCC test specifications for a total of 25 cycles, with analysis of test samples after each 5 wash/dry cycles. Performance assessment for Nomex flight suit fabric, Army Combat Uniform (ACU) fabric and Combat Vehicle Crewmen (CVC) Coveralls was performed and reported.

As envisioned, the easy application of SiO2 products would allow the military to apply the product to fabric already in inventory, thereby providing a cost-effective means of improving fabric performance.

Fabric Waterproofing

4D developed and patented an innovative pile clamp for the repair of piles that support bridges and piers. The neutrally buoyant clamp can be quickly installed by divers in under five minutes. The clamp supports a jacket that is filled with concrete or epoxy which serves to strengthen the pile, thereby extending the operating life of the bridge or pier. The enhanced pile clamp system offers significant benefits, saving repair teams time and money on each repair when compared with traditional marine pile repair techniques.

4D was able to design, develop, and field test the enhanced pile clamp system in 12 months. Custom designs for square, circular, and steel H-clamps were designed and evaluated.

Pile Repair Clamp

The 3D biometrics system was identified as a technology transition product, 4D then worked with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to develop and package a 3D fingerprint collection capability based on two-wavelength digital holography. 4D developed the system from a benchtop set-up to a transportable ready to use package. 4D rapid prototyped a hand-held imaging device that transmits short wave infrared (SWIR) laser light to illuminate the finger. The imaging device incorporates an LCD screen for aiming the illuminator and a SWIR detector to capture the raw data used to generate a holographic image. 4D packaged the processing computer, electronics, and power supplies in a ruggedized, waterproof container. The system demonstrated the ability to effectively collect 3D fingerprint images at a range of 18 inches.

3D Biometrics System

4D Tech Solutions developed a simple dry mix decontamination solution that provides high efficacy against biological agents of concern to the military, while mitigating some of the concerns associated with decontaminants currently available to the military. The hypochlorous acid-based decontaminant was tested against an anthrax surrogate by a certified GLP lab. The testing showed that the 4D decon solution was more effective in killing the surrogate spores than the 20,000ppm high test hypochlorite (HTH) solution commonly used for biological agent decon. 4D Tech also oversaw GLP testing of the product against bacteria required for hospital-grade disinfectant certification.

Most recently, 4D’s decon solution was shown to be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with a kill time of 30 seconds. The ability to mix the dry mix components with tap water greatly reduces the logistics footprint and cost associated with liquid decontaminants.

The advantages of the 4D decontamination solution as compared to other decon solutions include lower corrosivity as the pH is neutral, no residue or hard scale deposits that can render equipment inoperable and a reduction in the amount of raw materials used in the decon solution generation. The 4D Tech decontamination solution provides multiple use cases with demonstrated effectiveness against hard-to-kill bacteria.

Biological Decontamination System

4D’s in-house expertise, network of technical subject matter experts, and strategic relationships speed time to market and ensures success.