Ground Robotics

Abstract

This Program Element supports modernization of the current Ground Robotic fleets by investigating technology insertions including, but not limited to: condition based maintenance, vetronics, Robotic Architecture, autonomous operations and other emerging technologies. Funding also supports developing initial prototypes to enable refinement of Operational Requirements and early user feedback to support future sustainment and operational movement operating concepts. FB2: The Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) Inc. II is the Army's Soldier transportable, remotely operated, medium size (<= 164 lbs.) common robotic system. The system utilizes both radio and tethered communications allowing dismounted Soldiers to perform hazardous missions from a safe standoff distance. The MTRS Inc. II system consists of an Operator Control Unit (OCU), a suite of various mission payloads, and a mobility platform. Open architecture and the Ground Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) Interoperability Profile (IOP) requirements are employed to reduce obsolescence risks and to maximize efficiency in acquiring future capabilities. MTRS Inc. II will support current and future payload missions for the Engineer's route clearance platoons, Special Operational Forces (SOF) detachments, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Units. FB2 does not have any funding in FY 2021. FB3: Robotic Architecture (RA) provides the engineering and development resources to manage the overarching architecture for robotic systems that are both modular and interoperable across the Joint Force in order to facilitate future modernization efforts. It will manage the interoperability standards, modular payload interfaces, common software and common architecture for robotics & autonomous platforms, payloads & universal controllers. It will establish a Common Specifications Reference (CSR) to provide a repository codifying the Army Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) standards for open architecture, interoperability interfaces, and common control. RA includes the construction of program specific Interoperability Profiles (IOP) (i.e. Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET), Tactical Wheeled Vehicle-Leader Follower (TWV-LF), Route Clearance Interrogation System Type I (RCIS Type I), Common Robotics System (Vehicle) (CRS(V)), Common Robotics System (Medium) (CRS(M)), Common Robotics System (Individual) (CRS(I)) Inc. II, Common Robotics System (Heavy) (CRS(H)), Enhanced Robotic Payload (ERP), Light Reconnaissance Robot (LRR), Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), etc.), new standards addressing emerging requirements and Modular Mission Payloads (MMP) (i.e. Cyber Security, new autonomous behaviors & artificial intelligence, new payloads, lethality, etc.). FY 2021 RDTE funds in the amount of $2.702 million supports the further development and finalization of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems-Ground (RAS-G) Interoperability Profile (IOP) Version 5.0. IOP V5.0 will provide the required modular open interfaces and compliance test tools for new programs including S-MET Modular Mission Payloads (MMPs), LRR, CRS(M), TWV-LF, OMFV, RCV, ERP, robotic assault breacher vehicles, and robotic applique kits for manned ground systems. Additionally, FY 2021 RDTE funds will continue the development & hardening of Robotic Operating System, Military (ROS-M) software modules and ROS-M instantiation documents, and management of ROS-M registry & repository infrastructure. FB4: The Common Robotic System - Individual (CRS(I)) is the Army's small sized (<25 lbs.) Soldier back-packable, remotely operated, common robotic system. The system provides dismounted Soldiers with increased standoff capability from hazardous threats. The system consists of a Universal Robotic Controller (URC), a suite of various payloads, and an open architecture common mobility platform allowing for future capability growth. The CRS(I) will allow the operator to quickly re-configure for other various missions by adding or removing modules and/or payloads. The CRS(I) will provide interrogation, detection, confirmation, and neutralization capabilities employed to support a wide spectrum of mobility missions for current and future forces. This capability provides commanders the ability to persistently monitor the Operating Environment (OE) while protecting and sustaining the force. The CRS(I) complements the Joint Integrated Warfighting Force by providing standoff to the Warfighter during major combat, stability, and homeland security operations. FY 2021 RDTE funding in the amount of $2.352 million will fund the development, testing and validation of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), which includes contractor support required for these ECP tasks, as well as the development of Modification Work Orders (MWOs). This funding will also fund further development of Maintainer Technical Manuals and other LOG products needed to transition to full organic sustainment under Full Materiel Release (FMR) in 4QFY21, and resolve open issues listed in the Get Well Plan to meet FMR. This funding also supports programmatic risk mitigation activities including, but not limited to: Cyber Security Controls (i.e. Risk Management Framework), commonality directives, payloads, sensors, condition based maintenance, electronics, standard interfaces and architectures, autonomous operations and other emerging technologies, Interoperability Profile (IOP), and analysis of collaborative operations with various Unmanned Systems assigned at Battalion and below in addition to any program management support costs associated with these activities. FB6: Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) will help to reduce Soldier loads by transporting mission specific equipment, resupply equipment, and supplies required for extended operations. The S-MET will be capable of carrying the equipment currently required to support Infantry and Engineer Platoons in the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) for a 72 hour mission without resupply. The S-MET will reduce Soldier load, increase squad mobility during combat operations and dismounted maneuvers. S-MET will have open architectures, a remote control, support casualty evacuation, power generation/offload and Modular Mission Payloads (MMP). FY 2021 RDTE funding in the amount of $5.008 million supports the development, integration, and procurement of Technical Insertions and Modular Mission Payloads (MMP) to increase mission capabilities to requirements in the Abbreviated Capability Development Document (A-CDD). FY2021 RDTE funding supports procurement of test assets, testing, development of logistics material required to support these efforts. Program support to include travel and miscellaneous expenses in support of these RDTE efforts will also be funded. FB7: The Robotics Enhanced Program (REP) uses a "buy/lease, try and inform" methodology to evaluate Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS), Government Off the Shelf (GOTS) and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) robotics products that have the potential to enhance Soldier combat effectiveness. Actual operational user feedback and evaluation results obtained will inform emerging capabilities and requirements documents in support of a return on investment to support future Army decision making. FB7 does not have any funding in FY 2021. FB8: The Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) is a small unmanned aerial vehicle. The SBS provides a near term solution to three Army War-fighting Challenges at the Infantry Squad level: develop situational understanding, conduct air-ground reconnaissance, and conduct joint combined arms maneuver. The system is simple to deploy and use to support the squad leader's decision-making process. The system allows Soldiers to obtain local situational awareness and understanding of their immediate surroundings while remaining in covered or concealed positions. Funding in this project aligns with Army's priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy. In FY 2020, this project and funding will transition to PE: 06044827A / Soldier Systems - Warrior Dem/Val project 0604827A.FK4. FB9: The Common Robotic System, Heavy (CRS(H)) is a modular large-sized system that provides enhanced protection to the EOD Soldier in order to support the Joint Force Commander with the ability to identify, render safe and dispose of explosive ordnance (EO) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in support of the Range of Military Operations (ROMO) and Home Land Defense (HLD) operations. CRS(H) will also enable EOD Soldiers to execute Defense Support of the Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations in response to requests from federal, state, local, and tribal authorities for domestic incidents, emergencies, disasters, designated law enforcement support and other activities. CRS(H) will support current and future missions for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units. The MTRS Standardization project provides the platforms to support integration and testing of payloads and technology for non-standard unmanned ground robotics systems used by Army Engineers, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) and Special Operational Forces (SOF) units. Current system characteristics include the following: a remote controlled articulated arm with a gripper, operating range up to 800 meters, multiple illuminated cameras, a pan/tilt surveillance camera, two-way radio, and a ruggedized operator control unit. The platforms provided will support development and testing of the following capabilities: High Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS), Multi-Spectral Image Fusion System (MIFS), and Precision Aimed Multi-shot Disruptor (PAMD). The use of robotics allows the first approach, to potentially explosive hazards, to be made by a robot rather than a Soldier. FB9 does not have any funding in FY 2021. FG8: The Universal Robotic Controller (URC) provides the capability to individually and/or concurrently control multiple Unmanned Systems (UxS) platforms and control/monitor a mesh network without having to obtain and/or carry separate Operator Control Unit (OCUs) for each system. A controlled UxS may be mobile or stationary, can be smart learning, and self-adaptive. Two URCs will be used to hand-off control of a system to a receiver, reducing hand-off time and the need for the UxSs to have multiple OCUs. The URC will also be capable of "hot swapping" batteries where one of its two batteries can be replaced without the system being shut down, halting mission progress, and use current or new Soldier power sources that will maximize its operational time and minimize the number of replacement batteries needed for most missions. The intent of this requirement allows the Soldier at battalion and below to use the URC to operate unmanned aerial systems (e.g. Raven, PUMA, Short Range Micro (SRM), etc.) and unmanned ground vehicles (e.g. CRS(I), CRS(V), CRS(M), CRS(H), S-MET, MTRS INC II, Light Reconnaissance (LR), Wingman, Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), etc.) and emerging unmanned air/ground systems. The URC is defined in the Common Robotic System (Individual) (CRS(I)) Capability Development Document (CDD) and is included in the CRS(I) acquisition. A standalone requirements document is being developed. FY 2021 RDTE funding in the amount of $3.648 million will be utilized to continue test & evaluation and Logistics product development under the CRS(I) contract, mature the Universal Robotic Controller to meet the requirements in the CRS(I) CDD and Universal Controller Information System (UC IS) CDD and emerging programs of record, controller software, architecture, interface updates, and integration and test the URC into other Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) programs of record via an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP). This funding will also be used to establish a common software architecture for Unmanned Ground Vehicles and Unmanned Air Systems (UAS).

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 0605053A_5_2040_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: A portion of FY21 S-MET RDTE (655053FB6) was recolored to OPA funding due to program acceleration to buy additional S-MET systems.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Additive Manufacturing
• Autonomous Systems
• Combat Vehicles
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal
• Ground Control Stations
• Information Systems
• Logistics
• Manufacturing
• Military Operations
• National Security
• Performance Tests
• Product Development
• Test And Evaluation
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Unmanned Ground Vehicles
• Unmanned Systems

Readers

• Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Cyber
• Cyber - Quantum
• Microelectronics