Working closely with Lockheed Martin and a conglomeration of Army technology, acquisition and user community stakeholders, the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center successfully demonstrated an unmanned military convoy Jan. 14 at Fort Hood, Texas.
From a rooftop within the Fort Hood training area, military and industry VIPs saw firsthand how the Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System, or AMAS, enabled two driverless Palletized Loading System prime movers and an M915 tractor trailer truck to seamlessly interact with a manned Humvee gun truck escort. The convoy negotiated oncoming traffic, followed rules of the street, recognized and avoided pedestrians and diverse obstacles, after which used intelligence and decision-making abilities to re-route their direction through a maze of test areas to finish both complex urban and rural line haul missions.
As the floor systems expert in the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, TARDEC develops, integrates and sustains the best technology solutions to deal with ever-changing threats and shifts in strategic, technological and monetary environments. Flexibility and flexibility are vital to future systems, and AMAS is designed to supply a variety of military vehicle platforms with optionally-manned capabilities for you to increase safety and supply the warfighter with additional flexibility.
“We’re not trying to replace Soldiers with robots. It’s about augmenting and extending capability,” said Col. Chris Cross, chief of Science and Technology on the Army Capabilities Integration Center.
Equipped with GPS, Light Detecting and varying systems, often known as LIDAR, Automotive radar, a bunch of sensors and other high-tech hardware and software components, the average appliqué kit’s intelligence and autonomous decision-making abilities may be installed in practically any military vehicle, transforming an average vehicle into an optionally manned version.
AMAS may also keep personnel out of harm’s way and supply Soldiers on manned missions with increased situational awareness and other safety benefits. For example, AMAS also features collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist and a roll-over warning system, electronic stability control and adaptive cruise control. During manned missions, these additional security measures could theoretically increase Soldier performance. The robotic mode frees up the vehicle crew to more closely look ahead to enemy threats, while still leaving them the choice of manually taking control of the vehicle when necessary.
“The AMAS hardware and software performed exactly as designed and dealt successfully with each of the real-world obstacles that an actual-world convoy would encounter,” said AMAS Program Manager David Simon, with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
AMAS development aligns with Army goals for the longer term Force. At an Association of america Army breakfast in Arlington, Va., Jan. 23, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno mentioned the military Modernization Strategy and the difficult decisions ahead.
“What is that leap-ahead technology that we’d like that may make a true difference for our Soldiers at the ground?” Odierno asked. “What is the technology that permits us to diminish the load so one can be more expeditionary? i would like tactical mobility for the longer term. We have to move towards mobility and take a look at to find out how we sustain survivability while increasing mobility.”
In his just-released CSA Strategic Priorities, Odierno added that we must prioritize Soldier-centered modernization and procurement of proven technologies in order that Soldiers have the most effective weapons, equipment and protection to achieve the mission.
Another AMAS demonstration with more vehicles and more complex notional scenarios is scheduled for later this year.
“We are very pleased with the effects, however the AMAS must undergo more testing before it becomes deployable,” said TARDEC AMAS Lead Engineer Bernard Theisen.
“The vehicles and systems are replaceable, but nothing can replace the lifetime of a Soldier. These systems keep Soldiers safe and lead them to more efficient,” he said.
TARDEC is the floor systems expert within RDECOM. It provides engineering and scientific expertise for Department of Defense manned and autonomy-enabled ground systems and ground support systems; serves because the nation’s laboratory for advanced military automotive technology; and offers leadership for the Army’s advanced Science and Technology research, demonstration, development and entire life cycle engineering efforts.
ABOUT TARDEC
TARDEC is a part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America’s Soldiers.
TARDEC can also be a TACOM Life Cycle Management Command partner. On this capacity, this is answerable for critical technology functions inside the “acquisition — logistics — technology” system life-cycle model, including: technology maturation and integration; technology subject-matter expertise; systems-level engineering analysis; and systems engineering.
TARDEC provides engineering support for greater than 2,800 Army systems and plenty of of the Army’s and DoD’s top joint development programs. The organization is accountable for maximizing the research, development, transition and sustainment of technologies and integration across ground systems.
RDECOM is a primary subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness — technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment — to the complete force, around the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC delivers it.
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