Robotics Development

Abstract

The Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Prototyping effort will produce unmanned combat vehicle prototypes with the purpose of providing prototypes that Soldiers will use to develop new Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and new requirements to support Army Modernization priorities. RCV efforts will be executed in three (3) phases focused on increasing the complexity of RCV Soldier maneuvers and expanding prototype platform capability. These efforts will inform the Army's decision to initiate Robotic Combat Vehicle program(s) of record transitioning from Technology Demonstrations through Modeling and Simulation (M&S) development, prototype testing and iterative Soldier evaluations. This will stress technologies developed within the Science and Technology (S&T) base, assist the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team (NGCV CFT) with refining RCV requirements, and develop the CONOPS and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for Manned / Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) in combat relevant missions. This program supports the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team. Soldier Robotics Systems for Robotics Development (RD) improves robotic and autonomous program acquisition schedules by supporting the development of integrated and synchronized capability documents (e.g. Joint Capabilites Integration and Development System, Department Directed, etc.) and by maturing/transitioning technology. Activities include studies, assessments, and document development such as Technology Readiness Levels, Manufacturing Readiness Levels, Analysis of Alternatives/Letter of Sufficiency determinations, draft acquisition documents, and draft contract documents. Efforts include robotics and autonomous systems technology maturation/transition from S&T projects, Milestone Decision Documentation (MDD), and activities leading up to formal program initiation at Milestone B or C. The pre-acquisition activities conducted under this line intend to reduce acquisition cost, schedule, and performance risk by conducting market surveys, technical risk assessments, developing performance specifications, scopes of work, acquisition strategies, systems engineering plans, test and evaluation master plans, lifecycle sustainment plans, engaging in early test planning, and prototype development activities. This line is for robotic systems that are transported by vehicle and maneuver under their own power. The Battery Modernization & Interface Standardization (BMIS) program was established to help bring greater power efficiency and effectiveness to the dismounted Soldier and reduce the proliferation of proprietary batteries across the Army. BMIS will develop the Army Standard Family of Batteries (SFoB), a central acquisition management authority, and reduce 38 Communications-Electronics (C-E) battery types, currently in use, to just 3. Battery standardization and policy enforcement will support Operational Readiness at a reduced cost to the Army while maintaining configuration management, life cycle support, safety standards, and technological upgrades. Program Office Robotics Development (RD) improves robotic and autonomous program acquisition schedules by supporting the development of integrated and synchronized capability documents (e.g. Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), Department Directed, etc.) and by maturing/transitioning technology. Activities include studies, assessments, and document development such as Technology Readiness Levels, Manufacturing Readiness Levels, Analysis of Alternatives/Letter of Sufficiency determinations, market research, draft acquisition documents, and draft contract documents. Efforts include robotics and autonomous systems technology maturation/transition from S&T projects, MDD, and activities leading up to formal program initiation at Milestone B or C. The pre-acquisition activities conducted under this line intend to reduce acquisition cost, schedule, and performance risk by conducting market surveys, technical risk assessments, developing performance specifications, scopes of work, acquisition strategies, systems engineering plans, test and evaluation master plans, lifecycle sustainment plans, engaging in early test planning, and prototype development activities. This line is for large robotic systems that are transported by vehicle, maneuver under their own power, or are installed as robotic applique kits. Research Development Technology Evaluation (RDTE) funds enable support to capability development of emerging requirements. Funds prepare these capabilities for entrance into the Defense Acquisition System (i.e. Milestone decision). Program Office Robotics RDTE funding supports Leader Follower and Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) program transitions from Technology Demonstrations to Program of Record through Modeling and Simulation (M&S) development and initial prototype testing. This will stress the autonomy systems and ultimately reduce Program of Record testing requirements, technical risks, and costs through studies and validated simulations. Funding also supports the exploration and development of Expedient Leader Follower (ExLF) Applique on additional systems (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), and 915 truck fleets) beyond the Palletized Load System (PLS) and applique kits on existing Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. Funding supports Program management activities including inter-service support, travel, conducting Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), draft performance specifications, prototype demos, acquisition documents, payload demos, future payload maturation for Robotic Platforms and support for Enhanced Robotic Payloads (ERP) programs, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN), Common Robotic System Light Reconnaissance Robot (LRR) (CRS(LR)), and future robotic platforms. Funding also supports modernization of the current Ground Robotic fleets and current Army vehicles by investigating technology insertions including, but not limited to: condition based maintenance, vetronics, Robotic Architecture, autonomous operations and other emerging technologies. Funding will also support developing initial prototypes to enable refinement of Operational Requirements and early user feedback to support future sustainment and operational movement operating concepts.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Source ID
0604017A_4_2040_PB_2022
Change Summary Explanation
The decrease in funding from FY 2021 to FY 2022 is due to a realignment of funding and change in strategy.
Service Agency Name
Army

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Autonomous Navigation
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Control Systems
  • Cost Analysis
  • Human-Robot Interaction
  • Product Development
  • Program Management
  • Software Prototyping
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Ground Systems
  • Unmanned Ground Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems

Readers

  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Autonomy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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