ARMY AL&T
mapping, and modular payload inte- gration). Assets are then postured for refielding based on U.S. Central Command priorities, primarily to support the OEF surge. This modern- ization of the existing ground robot fleet will provide an additional 3-year operational life per platform, while improving the health of the U.S. industrial base.
The second initiative of the JPO’s mod- ernization strategy is to integrate a host of capability improvements from les- sons learned from the fight and theater requirements. These enhancements include everything from increased agil- ity to improved situational awareness 360-degree sensing; video recording; and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive detection. Some of these technology improvements are bundled in a plan with the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to inte- grate, test, assess, and field more than 1,500 robots in the upcoming months.
The third tenet of the RS JPO’s mod- ernization strategy involves conducting operational assessments of advanced robotic capabilities in conjunction with emerging requirements. These efforts are typically performed in conjunction with operational units or other user representatives and other government agencies including the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Rapid Equipping Force, Asymmetric Warfare Division, JIEDDO, and Army laboratories. One example of an RFI and operational assessment that has had great success is the Mini-EOD. Warfighters required a lighter, more agile robot for IED
A Talon ordnance disposal robot prepares to unearth a simulated IED during an exercise. The Talon is an element of RS JPO’s robotic system fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kenneth G. Takada.)
interrogation and explosive ordnance disposal. The Mini-EOD delivers a man-portable (34.5 pound) system to support dismounted operations in the rugged terrain and elevations of Afghanistan. More than 200 systems have been delivered and approximately 100 more will be fielded by October.
Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Emerging Requirements
Unmanned systems can support future forces and expanded operational envi- ronment concepts by serving as economy of force assets and enhancing force protection by providing standoff opera- tional capabilities for many warfighter functions. TRADOC has developed an Initial Capabilities Document for a family of unmanned systems, which supports the development of under- pinning requirements documents for ground, air, and maritime systems. The
Delivering safe, effective unmanned systems with a variety of mission payloads in response to JUONS has created numerous opportunities, as well as challenges, for the RS JPO and its partners.
Maneuver Center of Excellence has convened the first Joint Ground Robotics Integration Team (JGRIT) summit, which resulted in an integrated list of combat-developer desired capabil- ities that UGVs are expected to fulfill in the coming years. Common throughout the JGRIT list of UGV future capa- bilities is the need for interoperability between UGVs and manned platforms.
To set the foundation for this, the RS JPO has embarked on an initiative involving the development and applica- tion of standards for integration across UGVs, leveraging open architecture and open interfaces to address prob- lems with proprietary robotic system architectures. The expected result of this effort will culminate with a set of standards coalesced in a series of profile documents containing open standards and interface specifications to achieve modularity, commonality, and inter- changeability across payloads, UGV control, video/audio standards, data, and communication links. The purpose of this effort is to establish standards to enhance competition, lower life-cycle costs, and provide warfighters with enhanced robotic capabilities that enable commonality and joint interoperability within the unified battle command.
JULY –SEPTEMBER 2010 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96
