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International Defence Review
Tomorrow's world: the next generation of military UGVs
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The utility of UGVs across a number of mission sets is now without doubt. Recent operations have
served as harsh proving grounds for a range of systems and highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of
military robotics. Huw Williams examines a number of programmes under development and the
capabilities they will bring
With unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) accepted by the user community and command, the future of
such capabilities is now at a crucial crossroads as currently fielded systems are withdrawn from theatre and
future requirements drawn up.

As part of the AMAS programme Lockheed Martin has integrated its Unmanned Mission Module on M915
trucks. (Lockheed Martin)
1480797
Armed forces have a difficult balancing act: they need to identify which of their current systems need to be
maintained, what is surplus to requirements, where capability growth is needed in the short- to near-term,
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and how they plan for and develop the next generation of robotic systems that promise step changes in
utility.
The US military has deployed the greatest number and range of UGVs by far, and it is therefore
understandable that many of the world's armed forces, and industry, are closely eyeing its plans.
However, the first challenge that all services in the United States have to tackle is what becomes of
currently fielded platforms, many of which were acquired with urgent funding - such as through a Joint
Urgent Operational Needs Statement - and not as Programs of Record (PoRs).
[Continued in full version]

The need to move away from proprietary systems and introduce open architectures is being addressed in
several initiatives, notably the US Army's Interoperability Profile (IOP) and the US Navy-led Advanced
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) effort, which is a fully funded programme.
AEODRS is intended to provide a next-generation capability through a family of three variants: Increment 1
- a manportable system for dismounted operations that weighs less than 35 lb (15.9 kg), provides
reconnaissance and threat assessment capabilities to a range of 100 m, and has a limited interrogation and
disposal role; Increment 2 - for tactical operations, weighing up to 164 lb, 2-man portable and able to
provide reconnaissance and threat prosecution to a range of 1 km; and Increment 3 - a trailer
transportable system weighing up to 750 lb that provides a heavy lifting capability. While Increments 2 and
3 are intended to replace in-service systems, Increment 1 is designed to fill a capability gap.
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The ToolChanger can accommodate five different tools and provides an automatic changing capability.
(IHS/Huw Williams)
1480853
According to Michael Del Signore, Robotics branch manager at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, the AEODRS programme intends to overcome a number
of limitations that have been recognised in in-service platforms: "These systems are built on various closed
architectures, this leads to having separate OCUs, separate logistics footprints and a very complex and
cumbersome upgrade process."
It also aims to address issues such as limited autonomy, teleoperated control, low dexterity and limited
degrees-of-freedom (DoF) in manipulators; limited situational awareness; a lack of depth perception in
onboard camera units; and communications range and bandwidth issues.
The latter is a pressing concern: "Communications-wise there's a decent range but the bandwidth of that
link is limited, so some of the advanced capabilities that we want to integrate, like autonomy or being able
to provide 3-D data, you can't do that with the current bandwidth."
Del Signore explained that the AEODRS programme will look to tackle these problems through the
introduction of a common architecture across the family of systems, with each variant broken into
modules and the interfaces between these defined by a government-owned and controlled common
architecture, which will define and provide the physical, electrical and logical (drawn from the Joint
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Architecture for Unmanned Systems [JAUS]/SAE AS-4 Standard) interfaces, module performance
specifications, along with the supporting implementation information.
However, AEODRS is not being developed in a bubble and is designed to be interoperable with other
systems: "AEODRS and IOP have been working together and the best way it's been described to me is that
AEODRS is really an instantiation of IOP, " Del Signore explained. "The AEODRS architecture from what I've
been told is 95% compliant with IOP and we're currently working to deconflict those areas where we're not
100% compliant."
[Continued in full version]


The Adroit arm offers dual-handed manipulation with very high degrees of freedom. (HDT Robotics)
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1511495
Northrop Grumman's Dual Armed Dexterous Manipulator (DADM) - also known as the 'Lobster' - is being
developed in collaboration with California-based Applied Minds. The DADM makes extensive use of
commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and a complete system consists of two main elements: the
DADM platform and an operator controller.
It features two highly dexterous manipulators that each have 8 DoF and are joined at a common body. The
configuration approximates the scale and movement of a human, while the manipulators are intended to
perform precision tasks such as unzipping a bag or cutting small wires. The control unit has a similarly
configured set of arms that are held by the operator, whose movements and inputs are replicated by the
manipulators. Importantly, to support the high level of dexterity and precision operation that the DADM is
intended for, the operator is presented with a 3-D video feed on a head-down display; this is provided by a
high-definition stereovision camera and gives the depth perception that is essential for precision
manipulation tasks.
Northrop Grumman has also produced tool caddy's for robotic systems. The British Army's Cutlass system
has a caddy that can accommodate three different payloads for the robot's arm. The system is able to
automatically swap out these payloads without any input from the operator, negating the need for the
vehicle to return to the user for the end effector to be changed.

The DADM provides a high level of dexterity as well as the depth perception required for precision
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manipulation tasks. (IHS/Huw Williams)
1448632
iRobot has developed a similar system in collaboration with Stratom. The ToolChanger package enables
multiple payloads to be carried by iRobot's PackBot and be automatically swapped out in the field without
the need for operator intervention. Up to five tools are positioned on the rack mounted behind the vehicle,
with typical fit outs including wire cutters, rakes, disruptors, and manipulators. A connector head for the
tools is integrated on the vehicle's arm.
[Continued in full version]


Aselsan's Kaplan system can accommodate a wide range of payloads, shown here, is fitted with a
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surveillance package. (IHS/Huw Williams)
1481087
The army has classified its efforts into current, emerging, and future programmes, each with varying
degrees of maturity and funding. The funded, ongoing efforts include the MTRS Increment 1, RONS and
M160, while emerging capability requirements - which are not guaranteed to be taken on - include a
Robotics Enhancement Program (REP).
This is slated to start in 2015 and is modelled after the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP). It will provide
money for the army to purchase COTS and government off-the-shelf non-developmental items that can be
evaluated for either transition to PoR status or to inform requirements for a PoR. Lt Col Hatfield said this is
intended to answer industry's concerns that there have been too many demonstrations without any return
on investment, "[It's] not the golden ticket to Programs of Record, but at least it does provide some return
on investments for the hardwork being done by IRAD."
Other near- (2015-20) and mid-term (2012-30) goals include a new micro UGV; the Common Robotic
Systems-Individual (CRS-I); a Tactical Robotic Controller (TRC); and the Squad Multi-purpose Equipment
Transport (SMET) system.
Work on a new micro system is under way in the guise of TRADOC's Common Lightweight Autonomous
Robotics Kit (CLARK) programme. CLARK will see a squad provided with a set of small robotic systems that
will enable them to undertake close reconnaissance tasks with varying degrees of autonomy. A complete
package would include an unattended ground sensor, a micro UGV and a micro UAS (with autonomous
operating capabilities), the combined weight of all elements - including the common controller - would be
around 10 lb. The semi-autonomous Ultra Light Recon Robot (ULRR) - which is an ongoing effort - is
intended to be the micro UGV element.
The CRS-I represents a replacement capability for the army's small UGV (SUGV) programme, which was
cancelled in April 2013. The army is looking for the system to be half of the weight and half of the cost of
the SUGV and is waiting for this requirement to be approved.
[Continued in full version]

Development of the SMSS is not complete however, and trials of the system in a number of roles continue,
including working in conjunction with a UAS - teaming UGVs with unmanned aircraft is a particular goal for
the US Army.
Among the other large systems on the army's radar are the Type 1 and 2 Route Clearance and
Interrogation Systems, which offer the teleoperation of the High Mobility Engineer Excavator and RG-31
vehicles (both fitted with a range of engineering and C-IED payloads) respectively, and the Husky Mounted
Detection System (HMDS). HMDS is a current programme and provides for semi-autonomous control of
the Husky system at a standoff distance.
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The cancelled ARV-A(L) was set to provide a combat support capability for the US Army. The service still has
such a requirement. (Lockheed Martin)
1364414
Certification and safety release could significantly impede the fielding of larger UGVs and especially
appliqu systems, Lt Col Hatfield said: "If we expect unmanned ground systems and autonomous vehicles
to be perfect and never have an accident then we will never field them. We have to figure out that trust
and confidence, and overcome that cultural barrier of what our expectations are between man and
machine."
[Continued in full version]

Much of the future capabilities desired by the army were to be addressed by the defunct Future Combat
Systems (FCS) programme, which had envisioned a common robotic platform - the Multifunction
Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) - that could be reconfigured for numerous roles, including as a
combat support platform. Following the cancellation of FCS the army did continue to develop the combat
variant for some time in the guise of the Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault (light) - ARV-A(L) - this however
was also shelved.
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The LS3 represents a new approach to the challenge of providing mobility and enabling systems to
accompany deployed forces. (Boston Dynamics)
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Uralvagonzavod's combat support UGV has been delivered to the Russian armed forces. (Christopher F
Foss)
1518353
While the US Army maintains a future requirement for a tactical combat UGV, other systems are already in
service. A number of G-NIUS UGVs are able to accommodate weapons fits and Uralvagonzavod has
developed a tracked system that has been delivered to the Russian Army.
This is intended to provide an ISR capability as well as direct- and indirect-combat roles. It is fitted with a
gyrostabilised weapons station and an electro-optic/infrared payload. According to company data, the
vehicle can operate out to a range of 5 km and travel at speeds of up to 35 km/h; it is also said to feature
an encrypted communications system.
[Continued in full version]


THE US UNMANNED GROUND VEHICLE MARKET

The drawdown from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the radical US Army review that took place in February
2013 caused a rapid reduction in the US end-user market for UGVs. This review aimed to divest 2,469 UGVs
to other agencies, leaving 2,700 platforms to be retained for reset/upgrade.

In March 2014, the Pentagon Budget 2015 added sales for the Robotic Combat Support System (RCSS)
which procures the M160, the Man Transportable Robot System (MTRS) Inc II and the Robotic Clearance
Integration System (RCIS). A contract was also included for MTRS recapitalisation, providing the capability
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to perform remote reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal operations in situations where the
RONS is too large to operate.

Recapitalisation includes the replacement of radios and unserviceable parts and components. However,
there were small changes to funding for the AEODRS programme, the production start date for which was
pushed back with the decision for Increment 1 now due in third quarter (Q3) fiscal year 2015 (FY 2015),
with production starting in Q1 FY 2016, and a continuous improvement programme running through FY
2019.

Slight reductions in funding were made to the Robotic Ground Systems project, which matures and
demonstrates autonomous technologies. There were significant reductions in the TS2/Robotics Technology
project which designs, evaluates, and investigates autonomous technologies that enable robotics to assist
military missions.

[Continued in full version]


Derrick Maple, Principal Analyst



United States UGV Market by Life Cycle Position. (IHS)
1480904
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Copyright IHS Global Limited, 2014