ARMY AL&T
In line with the Army’s modernization initiative, the RS JPO emphasizes getting the right capabilities in the hands of Soldiers and Marines, while developing versatile capabili- ties required for future challenges. The RS JPO leads all aspects of UGS life-cycle management to ensure that safe, effective, and supportable capa- bilities are provided while meeting applicable cost, schedule, and perfor- mance. With more than 6,000 robotic systems fielded to date, these systems have proven to be combat enablers and permit our Soldiers to perform some of the most dangerous jobs on the mod- ern asymmetric battlefield. Capability enhancements reflect the lessons learned from ongoing operations and better posture robotic systems for a broader range of relevant applications. The RS JPO also manages the Joint Robotic Repair and Fielding (JRRF) activity to provide sustainment sup- port for robotic platforms that includes training, maintenance, assessment, and accountability. JRRF detachments in OEF and OIF provide theater support sustainment capability for all robots in theater.
Overview of Current Portfolio The majority of current ground robotic systems are commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment that were procured and fielded against Joint Urgent Oper- ational Needs Statements (JUONS), addressing capability gaps that were determined to be urgent and compel- ling. The stalwarts of RS JPO’s robotic system fleet include the MarcBot, Talon, PackBot, and Mini-Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD). These man-transportable (35–110 pounds) robotic systems are used to identify and neutralize roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and are designed for locating, identifying, and disarming explosive and incendiary devices and collecting forensic evidence. The RS JPO currently has one fully funded program of record (POR) reflected in the FY10–15 Program
18 JULY –SEPTEMBER 2010
The RS JPO leads all aspects of UGS life-cycle management to ensure that safe, effective, and
supportable capabilities are provided while meeting applicable cost, schedule, and performance.
Objective Memorandum (POM) for route clearance, which includes the M160 (MV-4B) Mechanical Anti- Personnel Mine-Clearing System and Man-Transportable Robotic System Route Clearance small robot.
Support to overseas contingency opera- tions (OCO) has greatly accelerated acquisition and fielding timelines. Delivering safe, effective unmanned systems with a variety of mission pay- loads in response to JUONS has created numerous opportunities, as well as challenges, for the RS JPO and its part- ners. Operational needs from theater have defined mission requirements for ground robots from explosive ordnance disposal, to area and route clearance, to reconnaissance and surveillance. This has resulted in the proliferation of ground robots on the battlefield. The U.S. industrial base has grown to meet the demand for unmanned systems. This growth is evident across all sectors of the market, from basic and applied research at academic institutions and government laboratories; to prototyp- ing and commercialization by small businesses; to manufacturing, produc- tion, and sustainment operations by traditional defense contractors, auto- motive suppliers, new companies, and government organizations.
Modernization The RS JPO’s platform modernization strategy is threefold:
• Recap existing assets currently supporting OCO.
• Integrate a host of capability improvements stemming from theater requirements.
• Execute operational assessments of advanced robotic capabilities in conjunction with emerging requirements.
This strategy takes maximum advantage of existing systems by making necessary improvements in both capability and reliability, while adapting to mitigate the risk of uncertainty caused by an evolving threat. It also promotes com- monality and interoperability in parts, operation, maintenance, and support of future systems.
Thousands of COTS, or modified COTS, ground robots have been used in tens of thousands of missions, incur- ring hundreds of thousands of hours of operation. In many instances, the same robot has been repaired multiple times and put back in the fight without major overhaul. Rapid Fielding Initiatives (RFIs) have resulted in a variety of platforms and platform generations, creating configuration management and sustainment challenges. Robots are issued as theater-provided equip- ment (TPE) and turned over from one unit to another during the relief in place, transfer of authority process. As the drawdown of military force in Iraq commences, units turn in their TPE robots to one of the JRRF activities in OIF. These systems are inspected and overhauled from top to bottom. Platform modernization entails chassis upgrades, replacement of robot manipulator arms, migration to laptop-based operator control units, and system software and embedded processor enhancements (which incor- porate the hooks for future upgrades to semi-autonomous operations, digital
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