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. BS9: The Robotic Payloads project is a suite of modular capabilities designed with open architecture to provide and increased level of standoff, situational awareness, disruption capability and dexterity to respond to current and emergent Engineer, CBRN and EOD requirements. Current Man Transportable Robotic Systems Increment II (MTRS Inc II) and Common Robotic System - Heavy (CRS-H) 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: Extended Range Mesh Network (ERMN), Pan/Tilt Imager (PTI) and Obstacle Avoidance & Digital Modeling (OA&DM). The use of robotic payloads allows the first approach, to potentially explosive hazards, to be made by a robot rather than a Soldier. These multiple, modular robotic mission payloads will use open architecture to integrate with the MTRS Inc II and CRS-H platforms to form the Army's next generation platform adaptable robotics systems. FY 2022 funding in the amount of $8.531 million supports development of Extended Range Mesh Network (ERMN) and Pan/Tilt Imager (PTI) payload prototypes and payload to platform integration requirements. Additionally, FY 2022 funding will support development of integration provisions for mounting the ERMN and PTI to both the MTRS Inc II and CRS-H platforms as well as development of the necessary software updates to allow for payload to platform communications. 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 has no FY22 funding request. 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), Assault Breacher Vehicle Remote Control System (ABV RCS), Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), Universal Robotic Controller, 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 2022 RDTE funds in the amount of $2.346 million supports the initial development of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems-Ground (RAS-G) Interoperability Profile (IOP) Version 6.0. IOP V6.0 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, Assault Breacher Vehicle Remote Control System (ABV RCS), Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), Universal Robotic Controller, and robotic applique kits for manned ground systems. Additionally, FY 2022 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. FY 2022 RDTE funds will also continue the development and refinement of the Common Specification Reference (CSR). 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. FB4 has no FY22 funding request. 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 2022 RDTE funding in the amount of $3.763 million supports the development, integration, and procurement of Technical Insertions, Engineering Change Proposals, and Modular Mission Payloads (MMP) to increase mission capabilities and address requirements in the Abbreviated Capability Development Document (A-CDD). FY2022 RDTE funds testing and development of logistics material required to support MMP efforts. Program support to include labor, travel and miscellaneous expenses in support of these RDTE efforts will also be funded. 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 transitioned 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 has no FY22 funding request. FG8: Universal Robotics Control (URC) will provide the common operational software to run specific applications (Apps) for all battalion and below Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS). URC will provide multiple layers of situational awareness while reducing the Soldier's physical and cognitive load as well as the training burden. URC is both backwards compatible with existing Army RAS and forward compatible with emerging Army and Joint RAS. URC will integrate across all RAS programs for interoperability, network transport (radio wave forms), and the larger common Network. URC is a critical enabling capability for NGCV OMFV and RCV programs. PEO Aviation will assess the technology readiness level of Universal Robotics Control (URC) in FY 21 and determine via analysis or prototype the acquisition pathway to fulfill the Capability Requirements outlined in the RAS ICD. The Prototype Demonstration and Data Analysis Framework will help determine if the URC should be a hardware-based program requiring a Capability Development Document (CDD), a software-based program requiring an Information System Capability Development Document (IS-CDD), or a Capability Needs Statement and User Agreement associated with a Software Acquisition Pathway. Will leverage RAS ICD, Navy Common Control System IS ICD, FUAS ICDs, RPUAS CPD, CRS-I CDD, OMFV, etc., will also be used in the analysis. FY 2022 RDTE funding in the amount of $3.601 million will be utilized for Systems Engineering and Program Management (SEPM) support in preparing the Contracts Requirements Package (CRP) for URC. This includes Statement of Work and System Specification preparation, as well as follow up from the FY22 prototype/demonstration and analysis to further shape the acquisition strategy. FY22 funding will also be utilized for risk reduction activities to include using a government or contractor provider to further enhance the prototype product and inform the CRP process.

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Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
Source ID: 0605053A_5_2040_PB_2022
Change Summary Explanation: Increase from FY2021PB to FY2022PB in PE 605053A is due to new start project BS9, Robotic Payloads ($9.260 million). This project is required as the program successfully transitions from Robotic technologies into a Program of Record (PoR) by utilizing 604017 (FD2).
Service Agency Name: Army

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Ground Robotics

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