Robotics Development

Abstract

This Program Element contains multiple projects. CF4: Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) NGCV-CFT and FD9: Robotic Systems. CF4: The Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) has transitioned from a family of light, medium, and heavy variants to a single vehicle approach with a common chassis. The Army has decided to field a common platform that will pair elements of the previous RCV medium concept with the RCV common chassis. The development programs, which include a RCV Middle-Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping (MTA-RP) and a RCV Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) program, will produce unmanned ground combat vehicle prototypes to inform Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP) maturation, Capabilities Development Document (CDD) development, acquisition and integration of secure advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence algorithms, force design updates, robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) doctrine development, and follow-on production and fielding decisions. The RCV program will enhance the Human Machine Integration (HMI) effort by soliciting early Soldier feedback to reduce risk to the MTA-RP and SWP acquisition pathways. The RCV MTA-RP program will perform three complementary lines of effort (LOE): 1) Surrogate Prototypes (SP); 2) Full System Prototypes (FSP); 3) and Manned Control Vehicles (MCV), while leveraging the software developed in the SWP to perform incremental capability releases. The RCV SP LOE utilizes RCV experimental prototypes and new build SP vehicles in an iterative design-upgrade-test approach that includes integration of software updates from the RCV SWP and follow-on Capability Releases (CR) from the RCV SWP. The SP LOE includes recurring design-upgrade-test cycles from FY 2023-2025 that conclude with FORSCOM operational pilots to collect Soldier feedback and demonstrate improved capabilities related to demonstrate improved capabilities to sensors, autonomous software, system safety, control architecture, and network resiliency. Each design-upgrade-test cycle will culminate in a Knowledge Point (KP) to review program progress and determine SP architectures or capabilities ready for incorporation into the FSP LOE. The SP LOE will also serve to validate user requirements, assist in finalization of the RCV Capabilities Development Document (CDD) and inform DOTMLPF-P and force design considerations. The RCV FSP LOE will leverage mature capabilities from previous RCV experimentation and SP development efforts and integrate additional embedded software, perception sensors, user control interfaces, and communication links that will permit autonomous movement, tele-op movement, and increased battlefield situational awareness. The FSP acquisition strategy includes a robust competition through Other Transaction Authority (OTA) that selected four vendors to deliver platform prototypes to inform down select to a single vendor for prototype build. Developmental testing of prototypes will include safety, Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM), lethality, survivability, and Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) testing. Additionally, Operational Testing (OT) in the form of Prototype Operational Demonstration (POD) will be executed to evaluate system suitability and effectiveness. The MCV focuses on Control Station hardware and Human Systems Integration into host platforms for RCV operations. The RCV SWP focuses on embedded software development and sustainment activities including RCV autonomy software, control station software, and payload control software. A system integration laboratory (SIL) will be used in conjunction with RCV systems to verify and validate software capabilities in both virtual and live test environments. The RCV SWP will provide software capabilities to the SP and FSP LOEs for integration. The RCV SWP will incorporate Soldier and integrator feedback into product roadmaps to guide the development and maturation of critical software capabilities. The Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) development program directly aligns with the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Army Modernization Priority and includes the RCV Middle-Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping and a RCV Software Pathway. The projected total cost of the RCV MTA Rapid Prototyping program is $497.81 million (then-year dollars) RDT&E from FY 2022 to FY 2027. The remainder of the RCV MTA Rapid Prototyping program is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. FD9: Robotics Development (RD) improves robotic and autonomous program acquisition schedules by supporting the development of integrated and synchronized capability documents (e.g. JCIDS, Department Directed, etc.) and by maturing / transitioning technology. Research Development Technology Evaluation (RDTE) funds enable support to capability development of emerging requirements. 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 Science & Technology (S&T) projects and Robotic Enhancement Program (REP) initiatives, 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 large robotic systems that are transported by vehicle, maneuver under their own power, or are installed as robotic applique kits. RD expands Modeling and Simulation (M&S) including Continuous Autonomy Simulation Test Laboratory Environment (CASTLE) capability to include Live/Virtual capability and to test and evaluate Manned Unmanned teaming, combat scenarios or other emerging Robotics requirement needs. RD funding will utilize the M&S environment to mature and evaluate S&T for inclusion to program requirements, Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and/or technical insertions, utilize gaming technology in conjunction with Autonomy Software to develop Training, Tactics and Procedures (TTPs), requirements and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS). RD supports Program Management activities including inter-service support, travel, conducting Analysis of Alternative (AoA), draft performance specifications, prototype demos, payload demos, future payload maturation for Robotic Platforms and pre-MS B activities. Funding supports transition of legacy S&T autonomy software into the GVSC ROS and RTK repositories. RD 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. This project supports developing initial prototypes to enable refinement of Operational Requirements and early user feedback to support future sustainment and operational movement operating concepts. Funds will be utilized for infrastructure to support cloud-based tools for development and deployment of Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence/Machine learning (AI/ML) software, tools to support automated testing of Autonomy Software in a DEVSECOPS process and transition of prior program software modules to the Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK) and Robotic Operating System (ROS) library for future reuse. FY 2025 Base RDTE funds in the amount of $3.039 million supports extending current Modeling and Simulation (M&S) for development and testing of autonomous systems. Addresses Manned/Unmanned Teams capabilities including Live/Virtual testing to reduce the number of needed physical assets and to increase safety on the test range/course. Funding will also be used to evaluate and mature Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms for potential use in future robotic programs and to develop a radio modeling capability and cyber resiliency products. Funding supports systems engineering activities for emerging programs.

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Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
Source ID: 0604017A_4_2040_PB_2025
Change Summary Explanation: Slight increase accounts for small increase in system software capability upgrade costs.
Service Agency Name: Army

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Robotics Development

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