FORT HOOD, Texas (June 20, 2014) -- 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 (TARDEC) successfully demonstrated an unmanned military convoy Jan. 14 at Fort Hood, Texas.
From a rooftop in the Fort Hood training area, military and industry VIPs saw firsthand how the Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) enabled two driverless Palletized Loading System prime movers and an M915 tractor trailer truck to seamlessly interact with a manned HMMWV gun truck escort. The convoy negotiated oncoming traffic, followed rules of the road, recognized and avoided pedestrians and various obstacles, and then used intelligence and decision-making abilities to re-route their direction through a maze of test areas to complete both complex urban and rural line haul missions.
As the ground systems expert within the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), TARDEC develops, integrates and sustains the right technology solutions to address ever-changing threats and shifts in strategic, technological and fiscal environments. Flexibility and adaptability are vital to future systems, and AMAS is designed to provide a wide range of military vehicle platforms with optionally manned capabilities that will increase safety and provide the warfighter with additional flexibility in how assets and personnel are deployed under a variety of missions and conditions. COL Chris Cross, Chief of Science and Technology at the Army Capabilities Integration Center emphasized: "We're not looking to replace Soldiers with robots. It's about augmenting and increasing capability."
Equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS), Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) systems, Automotive Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), a host of sensors and other high-tech hardware and software components, the common appliqué kit's intelligence and autonomous decision-making abilities can be installed in practically any military vehicle, transforming an ordinary vehicle into an optionally manned version.
AMAS not only can keep Soldiers at safe distances from dangerous situations, but also provide Soldiers on manned missions with increased situational awareness and other benefits. For instance, AMAS also features collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, rollover warning system, electronic stability control and adaptive cruise control. Depending on the mission, it would even allow commanders the option to add or remove armor packages, significantly reducing vehicle weight and increasing mobility. During manned missions, these additional safety features would increase the performance of the Soldier. The robotic modes free up the vehicle crew to watch closely for enemy threats, while still leaving them the option of manually taking control of the vehicle if necessary.
"The AMAS hardware and software performed exactly as designed and dealt successfully with all of the real-world obstacles that a real-world convoy would encounter," said David Simon, AMAS program manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
AMAS development aligns with Army goals for the Future Force. At an Association of the United States Army breakfast in Arlington, Virginia on Jan. 23, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno talked about the Army Modernization Strategy and the difficult decisions ahead: "What is that leap-ahead technology that we need that could make a real difference for our Soldiers on the ground?" asked Odierno. "What is the technology that allows us to decrease the weight so we can be more expeditionary? I need tactical mobility for the future. We need to move toward mobility and try to determine how we sustain survivability while increasing mobility."
In his just-released CSA Strategic Priorities, Odierno added we must prioritize Soldier-centered modernization and procurement of proven technologies so that Soldiers have the best weapons, equipment, and protection to accomplish the mission.
Another AMAS demonstration with more vehicles and more complex notional scenarios is scheduled for later this year. "We are very happy with the results, but the AMAS must undergo more testing before it becomes deployable," commented Bernard Theisen, TARDEC's lead AMAS engineer. "The vehicles and systems are replaceable, but nothing can replace the life of a Soldier. These systems keep Soldiers safe and make them more efficient."
TARDEC is the ground 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 as the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology; and provides leadership for the Army's advanced Science and Technology research, demonstration, development and full life cycle engineering efforts.
RDECOM is a major 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 total force, across 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.
Social Sharing