BCT UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLES

Abstract

There are two programs covered by the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Program Element: The Multi-Mission Unmanned Ground Vehicle (MM UGV) platforms (formerly the Multi-Function Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle (MULE)), the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) platform. Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV), designated as the XM-1216, is a lightweight (32 lbs), man-portable, DC powered UGV capable of conducting Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) to include tunnels, sewers, and caves. The SUGV provides an unmanned capability for those missions that are manpower intensive or high-risk such as Urban Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in a MOUT environment, investigating Improvised Explosive Devices and Chemical/Toxic Materials reconnaissance missions without exposing soldiers directly to the hazard. The SUGV will be used to obtain information on situational awareness at the squad level. SUGV IBCT Increment 1 (Bde 1-6): The IBCT INC 1 SUGV is based on the Capability Production Document (CPD) threshold requirements. The SUGV IBCT INC 1 features a lightweight highly mobile SUGV platform with improved and tested reliability and an integrated Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) sensor head and radio. In early FY10 the SUGV INC 1 platform underwent an Integrated Qualification Test (IQT) at Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) that provided the basis for many of the component reliability improvements that have been incorporated and validated in the FY11 IQT. Enhancements included improved seals on the drive motors, design changes to the drive motor themselves, EMI improvements to reduce the emissions and susceptibility of the SUGV platform and operator control unit enhancements. The Mean Time Between System Aborts (MTBSA) value improved from 9.7 hrs in FY09 to 178 hrs in FY10 Limited User Test (LUT). These enhancements were incorporated into the Bde 1 SUGV INC 1 units being delivered to Ft. Bliss, TX in FY11. SUGV Planned Product Improvements: The SUGV configuration for FY13 procurement/FY14 fielding is based on the SUGV CPD objective requirements. It will weigh 32 pounds and is capable of carrying up to 4 lbs of payload weight. The SUGV will have the following capabilities: a hardened militarized Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor to meet stringent day & night detection of enemy personnel & systems, an NSA compliant radio, the capability to provide grid location of the enemy, a tether payload, a manipulator arm payload, Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear (CRN). Multi-Mission Unmanned Ground Vehicle (MM UGV): The MM UGV program is an adaptation of new emerging requirements for a 3.5-ton UGV that will support dismounted and mounted operations. This program takes advantage of development already conducted for the previous Multi-Function Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle (MULE), program that consisted of three major components: Common Mobility Platform (CMP), Autonomous Navigation System (ANS), and a Lethal Mission Equipment Package (MEP). The MULE Program will transition to the MM UGV Program of Record and Acquisition Program Baseline upon MDA approval. In Nov 2010, the AAE & OSD OIPT directed the Army to continue current CMP & ANS design efforts under the current contract. After approval of the MM UGV CDD, a competitive contracting process, utilizing the TDP developed from the current effort, will be initiated for the follow-on MM UGV integrated platform development EMD Contract. The current MULE program meets the base platform mobility requirements and lethality requirements of the draft MM UGV CDD. The current draft CDD is being staffed, estimated approval is 4QFY11. The MM UGV will be CH-47 transportable and designed to maintain hard surface road-speeds of up to 65 KPH. The Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) variant will provide the maneuver company with the capability to detect, mark, and report IEDs. This variant will deploy an array of sensors to enhance IED detection and a manipulator arm to probe suspected locations. The C-IED platform will mark and report the IED allowing follow-on units to bypass the IED. The Lethal variant includes two weapon systems: the M240 Machine Gun & two Javelin missiles and will employ a target acquisition package to include aided target recognition. This integrated package will support the dismounted infantry and mounted operations providing the capability to locate and destroy enemy platforms and positions. Autonomous Navigation System (ANS): ANS, designated as XM-155, as a set of mission sensors and a computational package that will be integrated on the CMP to provide robotic semiautonomous capability. The ANS System will meet the requirements defined in the draft MM UGV CDD for mobility and safety of a UGV platform. The ANS primary system components are: Laser Radar (LADAR) Imaging Perception Module (LIPM), Imaging Perception Module (IPM), Millimeter Wave Radar (MMWR), Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS), Self-Cleaning System, Precision Timing Module, and the ANS Computer System (ACS). ANS provides GPS/INS for core navigation, targeting support and timing. ANS provides the sensors and software processing for unmanned operations for day, night, all weather conditions and the platform mobility control for on/off roads, cross country, complex terrain, and dynamic, unstructured environments such as urban road networks. MMWR provides tracking in rain, smoke, or fog along with an early warning for approaching vehicles with high closing rates while the LIPM and IPMs provide obstacle avoidance, human detection, and situational awareness. ACS provides path planning, video processing, hardware sensor processing, object processing and platform speed and curvature commands. The ANS software development baseline is a phased approach consisting of two phases. Phase 1 supported simulation and early prototypes using external waypoints at limited speeds. Phase 1 will support early testing and demonstration of ANS capability with prototype operational hardware on current force platforms to reduce risk and improve performance. Phase 2 will meet all requirements for platform speed, terrain types and operational modes: Move-on-Route, leader-follower, Aided Tele-operation, and Tele-operation. ANS will provide the hardware and software for unmanned navigation required for UGV platforms to be fielded under this program element and future manned and unmanned ground vehicles. The Government support costs includes funding for government personnel labor, travel, training, supplies, other support costs (support contractors, Automated Data Processing (ADP), communications, supplies, and equipment), and platform unique testing.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: FC4_0604663A_5_2040_PB_2012

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• 5G
• 5G - DoD 5G Program
• 5G - Internet of Things
• AI & ML
• AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Space
• Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers