'IED Defeat Task Force' also in the private sector.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY

When the Defense Department launched its campaign against the biggest killer of U.S. troops in Iraq--roadside bombs--it reached out to defense contractors and academia for technologies to counter IEDs, or improvised explosive devices. It created the Joint IED Defeat Organization to evaluate, test and acquire technologies. Last month, one of the nation's largest defense contractors unveiled a "Raytheon IED-Defeat Task Force," with a website to recruit industry and academic partners to help defeat improvised explosive devices. "Potential partners can join the effort by registering solutions and ideas at...